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What began as a mobile literary haven has now found a permanent home on Bedford Avenue in Bellmore, welcoming readers of all ages and backgrounds after celebrating its grand opening this past Saturday.

Bellmore native and high school Spanish teacher Denise Cruz built a thriving business selling handmade jewelry before the pandemic. But in the summer of 2023, a severe car accident in Florida left her with a broken right hand — her dominant hand — requiring two surgeries and making intricate jewelry work nearly impossible.

“I still wanted to be creative and make a little extra cash,” Cruz told Greater Long Island. “Creating is how I relax.”

Determined to find a new creative outlet, Cruz invested in a laser engraving machine and pivoted to making acrylic keychains, bookmarks and other personalized items. Her bookmarks — especially when paired with “blind dates with a book” — quickly became customer favorites.

An avid reader who moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic at age 12, Cruz said books helped her learn English. It wasn’t long before her business naturally evolved toward literary-themed merchandise.