Tuesday, August 22, 2006
With Pipe and Book
As one might devine from its name, the store covers two bases. First and foremost, it is a great used book store, selling not only the cheapies but also rare books, maps, and prints. It also features a comprehensive collection of books, old and new, fiction and non-fiction, covering all aspects of the Adirondacks region, its history and its characters. In addition to the books, the store sells a large assortment of pipes, tobacco, and cigars, and the sweet smell of pipe tobacco blends deliciously with the wonderful smell of old books, conjuring up, for me at least, wonderful notions of good books, warm hearths, rich leather, and maybe a little single malt scotch.
For years, With Pipe and Book has been my favorite destination in Lake Placid. I have ventured in on rainy Adirondack days, and usually have to be pulled out by impatient companions. I have bought many wonderful books there, including a matched set of Sinclair Lewis novels which has been on my living room shelf since 1990. Two weeks ago while vacationing in the neighborhood, I ventured in looking for some antique fish prints to decorate my office, and I wasn't disappointed, finally selecting 6 from a selection of dozens. But finding what I was looking for in no way hastened my exit, much to the dismay and irritation of my six-year-old companion who was anxious to get back out on the street where he might convince me to buy ice cream. He would not allow me to peruse the entire fiction stacks, but at least granted me a few extra minutes to look at the collection of old fishing books. He is interested in fishing, you see, and so granted me an exception in this special case, provided I kept reading the titles aloud and showed him a fishing picture every couple of minutes.
While looking around I overheard a conversation between another customer and the cashier, and when my son had finally succeeded in herding me to the register I asked the cashier if what I thought I had overheard was true. Yes, she said. Breck and Julia Turner, proprietors, were retiring and the store will be closing next summer. It was sad news, but I was heartened to hear that, if the store must close, it is the choice of the owners and not due to lack of business or escalating rents. I will miss the it terribly, and after it is gone my family will find me far less interested in driving the 35 miles from our quiet lakeside camp to the touristy streets of Lake Placid.
For those who love books and/or tobacco and have reason to be in the region, I strongly recommend you drop by With Pipe and Book in its last year of existence, and enjoy a very special store. It is located at 91 Main Street, Lake Placid, New York, and can be called at 518-523-9096.
3 Comments:
By 
Sluggo, at
Wed Aug 23, 02:43:00 PM:
That is sad news. WPAB opened when I was living in Lake Placid somewhere between 1977 and 1981. At the time I smoked a pipe so it was a one-stop shop providing for all my needs save the alcoholic ones. I suggested to Breck that With Pipe and Book and John Barleycorn would be an improvement but he felt it might alter the wonderful quietness of his shop.
Besides always being able to find something fascinating to read, I was always able to find the most remarkable gifts there.
By 
, at
Thu Aug 24, 01:12:00 PM:
OMG how sad! That is my favorite store in the Adirondacks, and the main thing that brings me back to Lake Placid. What a shame to see it go. At least I have the good memories of my trips there over the years...
By , at
Wed Nov 19, 10:10:00 PM:
Just read somewhere that With Pipe and Book is closing in April 2009. So a little more time is left for all of us visit. I will be in LP next weekend and will be sure to stop in!
