Stop By Cherished Local Bookstore, Dolly’s
Dolly's Bookstore at 510 Main Street has been a fixture since 1972. It takes its name from the original owner, Dolly Makoff who always had a cat or two on site and was often adopted them out to local residents.
According to manager Michaela Smith,“Once the store was sold, we kept one black tuxedo cat as tradition and named her Dolly after the owner and store. The cat on the sign (and the window, and our logo) is that first Dolly.”
Over the years shoppers have been greeted by 3 different Dolly-cats; 1 female and 2 males. “Dolly II had a mancoon friend named Che. And we recently lost Curious George to a car speeding down Swede Alley,” added Michaela.
Current feline residents include Mr. Dolly III and Pippi, who I assume might be named after the pig-tailed heroine of Swedish author Astrid Lindgren's books.
Shoppers at Dolly's are able to peruse shelf after shelf of amazing books, fun gifts and sundries but but spotting one of the cats is always a bonus. “The cats are a huge draw for people in the know or that hear the rumors. It's sort of like a scavenger hunt with reward-cuddles if you're successful in tracking them down.”
So far, no customers have been frightened away by the feline residents, although a few have been surprised. “Occasionally, people who have assumed the cats were stuffed animals have been startled when they moved, but otherwise, most people love them.”
Stop in at Dolly's Bookstore to pick out a good book and pet a new feline friend.