LETTER: Words Bookstore Is Neither In Favor of or Opposed to 65-Unit Development in Village

As owners of [words] Bookstore, we greatly appreciate the work of The Village Green. However, The Village Green inaccurately reported that a “study commissioned by the developers…included testimonials from Maplewood Village businesses such as Words Bookstore, Maker + Muse, and Luxe45 Lifestyle Boutique supporting the development.” The Village Green’s characterization of our statements is incorrect. The study by the 161 Maplewood Avenue and 11 Inwood Place developers quoted us accurately as responding to a general survey about Maplewood Village with statements that, “[c]arefully planned additions to our downtown, especially if they add parking for people who do not live downtown, can improve our commercial center,” and “It is helpful if the developers understand the town.” The study did not include a “testimonial” nor did [words] Bookstore state that we were “supporting the development.”

[words] bookstore is not in favor of or opposed to the development, and we leave that decision to the appropriate authorities.

Jonah Zimiles
Managing Principal
[words] Bookstore

[Editor’s note: A press release accompanying the Economic Benefit Report sent to The Village Green in June by 161 Maplewood Investors LLC stated that “Local business owners say this type of residential density is critical to sustaining Maplewood’s small business ecosystem,” and then quoted [words] Bookstore and two other businesses. The release clearly implied that the businesses favored the development. We regret the misunderstanding.]