Greetings & Readings
Encyclopedia
Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley is the largest independent bookstore in Baltimore
and is a member of the American Booksellers Association
. Currently operating in a single location, the store occupies 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) of retail and warehouse space on the second floor of the main Hunt Valley Towne Centre plaza, which is the final northbound destination of the Baltimore Light Rail
.
For 35 years, the store was located in Towson, Maryland
, in the Loch Raven Plaza. After its closure, a new store was opened by Phyllis and Norton's son, Steven Baum; his wife Fran; his brother-in-law Stephen Spund and Spund's wife Amy. Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley opened in August 2005 in the newly rebuilt Hunt Valley Towne Centre with a 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²), second floor location along the plaza's Main Street.
The founder's son, Steven Baum, is president of the establishment. His brother-in-law Stephen Spund is vice-president. More than 125 workers are employed by Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley in various departments which include gifts and jewelry, a Wi-Fi
-enabled café, a Hallmark Gold Crown card section, a Vera Bradley
boutique and what the store claims is the largest independent bookstore in Baltimore, Maryland.
In January, 2010, wedding technology company WeddingWire
, selected Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for excellence in custom printing and personalized wedding invitation design.
The store hosts frequent book signings and other events including kids' story time readings.
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
and is a member of the American Booksellers Association
American Booksellers Association
The American Booksellers Association is a non-profit industryassociation founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores in the United States and Canada. The ABA and its members support freedom of speech, literacy, and programs that encourage reading...
. Currently operating in a single location, the store occupies 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) of retail and warehouse space on the second floor of the main Hunt Valley Towne Centre plaza, which is the final northbound destination of the Baltimore Light Rail
Baltimore Light Rail
The Maryland Transit Administration Light Rail is a light rail system serving Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and the surrounding suburbs.In downtown Baltimore it uses city streets...
.
History
Phyllis and Norton Baum founded the original Greetings & Readings in 1969 as a book and card shop occupying 1800 square feet (167.2 m²).For 35 years, the store was located in Towson, Maryland
Towson, Maryland
Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 at the 2010 census...
, in the Loch Raven Plaza. After its closure, a new store was opened by Phyllis and Norton's son, Steven Baum; his wife Fran; his brother-in-law Stephen Spund and Spund's wife Amy. Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley opened in August 2005 in the newly rebuilt Hunt Valley Towne Centre with a 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²), second floor location along the plaza's Main Street.
The founder's son, Steven Baum, is president of the establishment. His brother-in-law Stephen Spund is vice-president. More than 125 workers are employed by Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley in various departments which include gifts and jewelry, a Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
-enabled café, a Hallmark Gold Crown card section, a Vera Bradley
Vera Bradley
Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. is an American design company best known for its soft, brightly patterned bags. The Fort Wayne, Indiana company produces a variety of products, including quilted cotton luggage, handbags and accessories. There are more than 3500 retailers of Vera Bradley and stand alone...
boutique and what the store claims is the largest independent bookstore in Baltimore, Maryland.
In January, 2010, wedding technology company WeddingWire
WeddingWire
WeddingWire Inc. is a U.S. software company that hosts a wedding destination site for engaged couples and provides on-demand software for small and mid-market wedding businesses. It is incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.-Profile:...
, selected Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for excellence in custom printing and personalized wedding invitation design.
The store hosts frequent book signings and other events including kids' story time readings.