"People who read are interesting people. That’s why I’ve stayed in this business.”

For more than 30 years, Justin Ward has been the quiet anchor of downtown Bridgton. He and his wife Pam opened Bridgton Books in 1993, back when the mill had just closed, storefronts were boarded up, and everyone warned him a small-town bookstore would never survive the rise of big box stores, or, later, the Kindle.

In this episode, Justin shares what convinced him to choose Bridgton over Fryeburg, how the town has transformed around him, and what keeps independent bookstores thriving even in a digital world. We talk about locals vs. summer visitors, the surprising rise of “romantasy,” the magic of staff picks, and the deep, personal relationship between a bookseller and their community.

If you love books, small towns, or stories of resilience, this one’s a must-listen.