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. 

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