Westport, Connecticut, USA

Closed

The Remarkable Book Shop’s significance went beyond selling books; it is a symbol of the “old Westport” and the deep sense of community that many residents feel has been lost to national chains and rising real estate costs.

A True Community Gathering Place

• Personal Touch: Founded by Esther Kramer, and run with the help of devoted, knowledgeable employees (like Esta Burroughs), the staff knew their customers’ names and reading tastes, often recommending books before they were even asked.
• Eclectic Atmosphere: The store was celebrated for its funky, warm, and eccentric nature, featuring sloping floors, cozy chairs, an eclectic collection of books, maps, toys, and the famous dancing figure logo known as “The Remarkable Man” (an illustration by Edward Gorey).
• Celebrity Hangout: It was a favorite spot for many famous Westport residents, including authors and actors like Paul Newman, Liz Taylor, and Bette Davis.

A Symbol of Local Identity

• The Name: The name “Remarkable” was clever; it was a portmanteau of the owner’s last name spelled backward: Kramer Remark.
• Loss of Character: The store’s closure in the mid-1990s is often cited as a turning point in the commercialization of Westport’s downtown. It was succeeded by national chains like Talbots, symbolizing the migration from quirky, locally-owned shops to standardized retail. Its absence continues to be mourned by Westporters who remember the town’s more artistic and intimate past.

Its Legacy Lives On

• The store’s enduring legacy is so strong that local author Jane Green created the Remarkable Bookshop, a mobile Little Free Library painted the distinctive pink, to honor the book shop and its sense of community. Anon.

No. 320