Athena Books, the independent bookstore on Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich, is opening a second location at 68 Lewis Street in downtown Greenwich.
Co-owners Jennifer Bird and Odysseas Kostas announced the expansion on Instagram, saying the new store would open "in the coming weeks," as first reported by Greenwich Free Press. The renovated downtown storefront already has a new blue awning.
Bird and Kostas opened the original Athena Books in December 2021, filling a gap Old Greenwich readers had felt since the closure of Just Books on Arcadia Road in 2011. Kostas is Greek, and the couple named the store after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, as a strong female figure for their two daughters.
The Old Greenwich shop at 228 Sound Beach Ave. hosts book clubs and author events, according to the store's website. In a 2023 interview with Greenwich Moms, Bird said the store also hosts storytimes and partners with local schools to provide books to teachers and students.
Bird told Greenwich Moms that what she loved most was "the sense of community it brings, including talking with customers in the store and seeing them light up over a new book."
In an Oct. 15 Instagram post, the owners said five years of community support inspired the expansion. "We are incredibly grateful for your support and can't wait to open another Athena gathering place, where readers and neighbors can come together, discover great books, and exchange thoughts and ideas," the post said.
Commercial realtor Diane Roth of Allied said she anticipates the new location will become a gathering place for readers and neighbors.
No specific opening date has been announced. The store posts updates on Instagram at @athenabooksog.
