PHOTO PROVIDED Otto Bookstore on West Fourth Street is planning a spring expansion.

“For more than a century and a half, generations of Williamsport families have walked through the doors of The Otto Bookstore in search of stories, knowledge and connection,” a news release said. “This spring, the beloved independent bookstore will take a historic step forward by expanding beyond its current footprint for the first time in its long history.”

Founded in 1841, The Otto Bookstore is preparing to nearly double its space by adding a new location next door in the former Amber Rose Bridal Shop on West Fourth Street. While the original store will remain intact, the two spaces will be connected by an arched opening built through a shared wall, creating one unified bookstore experience. Construction is expected to begin soon, with the expanded space opening to the public later this spring.

For current owners Kathryn Nassberg and her husband, Isak Sidenbladh, the expansion represents both a continuation of the store’s legacy and a vision for its future.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to not only expand the bookstore’s physical space, but also the kinds of events we can offer as well,” said Nassberg, co-owner of the store, according to the news release. “We want the Otto Bookstore to be a place of learning, discovery and community here in Williamsport, and the updated location will allow us to do that with an even greater impact.”

“This represents a pivotal moment for the Otto Bookstore, and Kathryn and I are excited to usher in this change,” Sidenbladh added, according to the news release.

The Otto Bookstore’s roots stretch back to the mid-19th century, when it first opened as A.D. Lundy and Co., a general store that sold window shades, wallpaper, insurance and books. As books became more affordable, the literary side of the business grew, offering works by authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, James Fenimore Cooper, Charles Dickens, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

By the early 1900s, the store had become known as the Loan Book Shop under John Otto. In 1940, longtime employee Jack Roesgen purchased the business, and after his death in 1958, his daughter Betsy Rider and her mother continued to operate the store. Over the next five decades, Rider transformed The Otto Bookstore into a destination for book lovers across the region. In 2016, the store marked its 175th anniversary, earning recognition as one of the nation’s oldest independently owned bookstores.

Ownership transferred to Nassberg and Sidenbladh in 2017. Nassberg said her connection to the store spans generations.

“I grew up making trips to the Otto Bookstore as a girl and know firsthand just what great caretakers of this institution the Rider family has been,” she said. “We are honored to continue serving the community by providing great stories for the next generation of readers.”

General Manager John Shableski said the expansion is one of the most significant developments in the bookstore’s history.

“The expansion means we are literally doubling the size of our operations, and that alone is one of the biggest events in the history of this store,” Shableski said.

The additional space will allow the bookstore to enhance offerings that support early childhood literacy and families dealing with memory loss, while also expanding sections focused on regional interests such as hiking, fishing, hunting, camping and eco-tourism. The new area will also include a dedicated space for author events, book launches, midnight releases, book clubs, birthday celebrations and private gatherings.

“One of the bigger challenges will involve moving books, installing new floors and furnishings all while remaining open to serve the needs of the community,” Shableski said. “It’s going to take a lot of work, but we have the best people here who are all pitching in to make it work.”

City leaders say the expansion reflects the strength of both the bookstore and downtown Williamsport. Mayor Derek Slaughter said independent bookstores play a vital role in community life.

“The Otto Bookstore has long been a cornerstone of our downtown, and its decision to double its footprint speaks volumes about the strength and vitality of our community,” Slaughter said. “Independent bookstores do more than sell books – they create places where people gather, ideas are shared, and downtowns come alive. Otto Bookstore events have been foundational in bringing people together.”

“This expansion not only strengthens a beloved local business, it helps drive foot traffic, supports neighboring shops and restaurants, and reinforces our downtown as a destination,” he added.

For the building’s owners – Max Gallone, Billy Gianatsis and Oscar Prieto – the project underscores the importance of preserving institutions that anchor small-town downtowns.

“Anytime you get to see a bookstore thriving firsthand, it’s a wonderfully satisfying thing,” they said in a joint statement. “We are incredibly fortunate to have a bookstore with such an incredible legacy as our anchor tenant here on West Fourth Street. It really has become the center of the community.”

The bookstore encourages residents to follow The Otto Bookstore on social media or stop by the store to see construction progress as the next chapter of its long history takes shape.