Golden Hour Books, a family owned independent bookstore located at 181 Broadway, has recently opened and looks forward to welcoming new visitors to browse the shelves for their next literary endeavor. New and used books are currently available with a special focus on literary fiction and nonfiction, women writers, cookbooks, and children’s books. The store also sells greeting cards as well.

With only a month or so since opening, the new business, owned by Angie Venezia, has already received positive feedback in the short time of operation. Customers and visitors have shared their appreciation for a new independent bookstore. Even in the short time, Venezia has already had regular customers from Newburgh and other areas visiting the store.

“People seem really excited, which is, you know, the most I can ask for and hope for,” she said. “We’ve been getting a lot of great feedback on our inventory, and just people coming in thrilled that we’re here.”
Venezia, originally from California, spent time in New York City for about 13 years where she worked in the book publishing industry. She worked previously in public relations at Penguin Random House. At the start of the pandemic three years ago, Venezia and her husband moved to Newburgh and plan to make this their future home. They have both since welcomed a young child to their family.

With inventory currently available, Venezia shared she is also appreciative of the community feedback and what customers would want at the store. Even with special orders of books, she also orders additional copies to have available for customers who may be interested.

“Ever since we opened I’ve been asking people what kinds of books they want to be seeing in the store. I’ve been getting recommendations from my own customers,” she said. “For example, science fiction and fantasy is an area that people are coming in for that I know I need to amplify in the store.”

With her business along the Broadway corridor, Venezia has recognized that it is a very active commercial space for businesses that are supported by the local community. However, she does recognize that there are vacant storefront spaces that will hopefully be filled one day. As a new business owner, Venezia said she recognizes that the community around her cares about books and recognizes her responsibilities to make her store and space welcoming and available for all who visit.

“Bookstores are such a gathering place and, and sort of a magnet for people,” she said. “I hope that we’ll be open many, many, many years. I’m thrilled to be here.”

For now, Venezia will look to increase her storage space and welcomes residents and visitors to stop and browse. Her store also offers a Monthly Story Time with Little Friends Learning Loft for the community children. The next story time will be held on October 28 at 10:30 a.m. for those interested.

Upcoming events for the shop include a Grand Opening Author Event featuring author Isle McElroy of People Collide and Chloe Caldwell of The Red Zone. The reading/signing event will take place at Golden Hours Books on Thursday, November 2 at 6 p.m. This event will also be a part of the grand opening weekend event, with the store’s official grand opening set for Friday, November 3.

Additionally, the store will be hosting an event called Books for the ‘Burgh: A Grown Up Book Fair to Benefit Newburgh Libraries. This event is a collaboration between Newburgh Brewing, Golden Hour Books and Billy Joe’s Ribworks that will take place at Newburgh Brewing on Thursday, November 16 from 4 to 11 p.m.

For more information on the business, please visit their website at goldenhourbookstore.com. The business is also on Instagram at @golden_hour_newburgh and Facebook at Golden Hour Books. The store is open Thursday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.