Our History
The story of Edgartown Books begins long before the first book ever lined its shelves. Located at 44 Main Street, our building dates back to the mid-1800s and has lived many lives—as a general store, a barbershop (with the barber’s family living upstairs), a dress shop, and eventually, a bookstore.
A Good Story
Before it became Edgartown Books, the space was home to Bickerton & Ripley’s Bookstore, a fixture on the island of Martha’s Vineyard and even the filming location for the CBS sitcom George & Leo, starring Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch. Though the show was short-lived, it gave the bookstore national exposure and added a playful footnote to its history.
When Bickerton & Ripley’s owners retired in the early 2000s, the bookstore was lovingly reimagined as Edgartown Books. Since then, it has continued to evolve under two sets of owners, growing into a cornerstone of Edgartown’s literary and cultural landscape.
From its roots serving the town’s whaling-era residents to its current role as a beacon for book lovers, 44 Main Street has always been a place where stories are told, shared, and celebrated. We are proud to carry on that tradition today.
