About Us

A village treasure for almost 80 years, the Penguin Bookshop first opened in October 1929 at 311 Chestnut Street. The owners and Sewickley socialites, Isabelle L. Adams and Eleanor Gilchrist, named their shop after their favorite book Penguin Island. Book note: Penguin Island by Anatole France was originally published in 1908. Its satirical view of penguins transformed by their adoption of human qualities is as pertinent today as it was 100 years ago. Gilchrist eventually moved to New York to become a literary editor, and Adams moved the shop to 434 Beaver Street. For 40 years this site had been Schlumps's Cigar Store. Adams sold the shop to Adelade M. Russell for $1 in July 1939. Adelaide and her husband, Douglas Ritchey, operated the Penguin Bookshop at 434 Beaver Street for over 40 years.

In February 1981, Elizabeth "Elsie" Barker and her husband, Chuck Allen, bought the business from the Ritcheys. Then they bought the property at 420 Beaver Street from James G. Park. The current location of the Penguin Bookshop was created. (This location was constructed between 1912-1915.)

Margaret Marshall, a Penguin Bookshop staff member, bought the bookshop from the Allens in March 1987. Marshall, with the help of her well-read staff and her cat O'Henry, served Sewickley book-lovers for 20 years. In 2007, sensing the need for technological upgrades and a major renovation, Marshall put the shop and property up for sale.

Karen Fadzen, a family financial consultant, suggested to her clients, Janet and Bud McDanel, the purchase of the Penguin Bookshop. They embarked on a $1 million plus total reconstruction of the store as LEED Certified building. The Penguin Bookshop is the first green independent bookstore in the country. Their mission as the fifth owners of the Penguin Bookshop, is to create a sustainable community treasure.

If you are interested in applying for a job, please click here to download our application.

General Information for Authors Interested in having a book signing at our store:

We will provide you with a signing table and a display of your book. If you wish, we will also provide space for you to talk about your book to a group during the time you are here. We will publicize your appearance at Penguin Bookshop through our web site, e-mail newsletter, and in-store signage. Authors are strongly encouraged to promote their book signing by notifying friends, colleagues, and family.

Books published by publishers with whom we have open accounts will be purchased directly from the publisher in small quantities. If you are self-published or are published by a publisher with whom we do not have an account, we ask that you bring your books with you. We will sell these titles on a consignment basis. Our discount for local authors is 40% (we keep 40% and you get 60% of the selling price). If you are interested in participating please complete the attached author event information sheet.

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!