Canio's of Sag Harbor, with Maryann Calendrille and Kathryn Szoka
Sep 9, 2024
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Maryann Calendrille and Kathryn Szoka, proprietors of the beloved Canio's bookstore in Sag Harbor, share their journey of preserving a cultural landmark. They discuss the origins of Canio's and its evolution into a community hub since its 1999 acquisition. With the impending loss of their lease, they express hopes for a new chapter, emphasizing the importance of independent bookstores in fostering community connections. Nostalgic tales of Sag Harbor's past merge with a vision for Canio's future, keeping the spirit of literature alive.
Canio's Bookstore serves as a vital cultural landmark in Sag Harbor, fostering community through literary events and discussions.
Despite facing lease termination and market challenges, the owners remain committed to preserving Canio's legacy through innovative community programming.
Deep dives
The Significance of Canio's Bookstore
Canio's Bookstore is regarded as a cultural landmark in Sag Harbor, reflecting a strong community spirit through its role as a gathering place for literary enthusiasts. The proprietors, Marianne Calendral and Catherine Soka, took over the bookstore to preserve its unique essence and offer a space where ideas can be exchanged freely. Canio's is not merely a retail outlet, but serves as an intimate venue fostering discussions about literature, art, and local history. The bookstore's atmosphere and curated selection resonate deeply with both long-time residents and newcomers alike, highlighting its significance within the area's cultural landscape.
Community Engagement and Cultural Events
The bookstore has prioritized community involvement by reviving traditional events like the Moby Dick Marathon, which it expanded to be more inclusive in recent years. This reimagined format invites diverse community members to read segments of the book aloud, fostering a collective appreciation for Melville's work while encouraging new readers to explore it. Additionally, Marianne and Catherine have organized art shows and a local interest section that showcase regional talent and themes, further solidifying Canio's purpose as a public space for education and collaboration. These gatherings offer an opportunity for people to connect, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations.
The Creation of Canio’s Cultural Cafe
Recognizing the need for a sustainable model in the changing landscape of retail, Marianne and Catherine established Canio’s Cultural Cafe as a nonprofit entity to support their programming. This initiative allows them to continue offering community events and educational outreach, even amid the uncertainties faced by brick-and-mortar stores. The cultural cafe fosters creativity and provides a platform for presenting diverse programming that further enriches the Sag Harbor community. By embracing this hybrid model, they ensure that Canio's mission persists, whether they have a physical space or operate at various community venues.
Challenges and Future Aspirations
Despite the strong community support, Canio's faces significant challenges, including lease termination and the search for a new location amidst rising costs and competition in Sag Harbor. Marianne and Catherine remain hopeful and proactive, exploring various options to ensure the bookstore's legacy continues one way or another. Their commitment to the community is evident in their determination to keep programs like the Moby Dick Marathon alive while seeking innovative solutions to maintain a physical presence. The resilience demonstrated by the owners and the backing of the community emphasize the enduring importance of Canio's as a cultural hub on the East End of Long Island.
Esperanza and Irwin welcome Canio's of Sag Harbor proprietors Maryann Calendrille and Kathryn Szoka. Canio's has had a long and storied history in Sag Harbor. In 1980, Canio Pavone fulfilled his dream of owning a bookstore, when riding past the Upper Main Street storefront with a For Rent sign on the door in a very different, and long gone Sag Harbor. It quickly became a source of community, and has stayed that way since Maryann and Kathryn bought it in 1999, putting their unique stamp on the store, while maintaining many Canio traditions. We talk of all of that and more, including the unfortunate news of this Sag Harbor institution losing it's lease at the end of September 2024. Canio's hopes to resurface elsewhere, and Maryann and Kathryn will reinvent Canio's in the near term. A poignant Our Hamptons podcast.
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