HCR 280

R-338  Page 1 of 2
2026
No. R-338. House concurrent resolution congratulating Northshire Bookstore on 50
years of outstanding literary merchandising and promotion.
                                        (H.C.R.280)
  Offered by Representatives James of Manchester, Hunter of Manchester, Morrow of
Weston, and Pinsonault of Dorset
   Offered by Senators Bongartz and Plunkett
   Whereas, in 1976, Ed and Barbara Morrow (the Morrows) decided to “provide
bookselling excellence in a safe, inclusive environment that welcomes everyone on Main
Street in Manchester Center,” and they opened Northshire Bookstore (Northshire), and
  Whereas, in 1985, they relocated Northshire across Main Street to the landmark
Colburn House, a former inn and restaurant, and
   Whereas, by 2003, Northshire’s increasing popularity as a favorite destination for
book buying and associated activities was apparent, and under the leadership of the
Morrows’ son, Chris, 10,000 square feet of new space was added to the Colburn House,
providing a more spacious home, and
   Whereas, in 2006, Publisher’s Weekly, a national publication reporting on all matters
related to the book industry, honored the innovative Northshire as the organization’s
Bookseller of the Year (now known as Bookstore of the Year), a highly coveted industry
award, and, in 2013, the Morrow family opened a second location in Saratoga Springs,
New York, and
   Whereas, in 2021, the highly successful 45 years of Morrow-family ownership
concluded, and Clark and Lu French enthusiastically purchased Northshire, with a
commitment to continue its great tradition as a premiere destination for book lovers, but,
sadly, Lu French died in 2022, and
  Whereas, happily, an interested local family, consisting of sisters Cathleen Ihasz,
Nicole Ihasz, and Ashley Ihasz-Austin, and Ashley’s husband, Scott, purchased the
bookstore, which greets tens of thousands of visitors annually and offers a special and
much-appreciated shopping experience, and
   Whereas, Northshire has developed a dedicated and loyal staff of bookselling
professionals, and many employees remain for decades, and
   Whereas, annually, over 200 events occur at or under the store’s sponsorship,
including author talks; story times; children’s author appearances at local schools;
regional and international reader and writer retreats; curated personal shopping services;
and, most especially, the annual Northshire Book Festival: A Weekend in Booktopia, and
Northshire also supports the community through donations and other partnerships, now
therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
   That the General Assembly congratulates Northshire Bookstore on 50 years of
outstanding literary merchandising and promotion, and be it further
                                                                            VT LEG #389289 v.1
R-338  Page 2 of 2
2026
  Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Northshire Bookstore.
                                                                           VT LEG #389289 v.1