Derby Square Book Store

Robert and Elizabeth Monroe opened the Derby Square Book Store in 1975. It had survived on the same spot in Derby Square run by sons Ted and Frank Monroe after their parents retired from the business.

It earned a reputation for being an unusual bookstore with tens of thousands of books in less than 1,000 square feet of space, tall towers of books rising past most customers' heads. Early on they survived on school book fairs and selling technical books to high-tech firms along Route 128.

The store was known for its great customer service and the owners would attempt to get you any book title in print. It survived while many other book stores went out of business.

Derby Square will close its doors for good on April 17, 2014.

A new book store opened in the old location in June 2014. Denise Kent with her husband Mike Gibson are the new owners of the book store called "Wicked Good Books."

In late 2023, Wicked Good Books moved their book shop into their toy store called "Silly Bunny" on 260 Essex Street.

See Also

"Last chapter for Derby Books; iconic Salem store to close in April after 39 years" Salem News, Mar. 27, 2014, p.1

Last Chapter for Derby Books Iconic store in Salem to close in April after 39 years. Salem News, Mar. 27, 2014, p. 1

"Turning a new leaf: new Salem bookstore will fill a familiar spot for locals" Salem News, May 3, 2014, p. 1