RIDGEFIELD – Justin Rose has been a precocious reader since he was a kindergartener. It’s no wonder that he opened a specialty bookshop – Some Books at 346 Ethan Allen Highway.
“I loved school reading, but I always had a book going outside of any reading assignment,” Rose told the Fairfield County Business Journal. “Being a small business owner, especially of a retail store, is something I never aspired to but fantasized about – the way any introverted creative type in the city dreams of moving Upstate to open a flower/coffee/book shop.”
Rose had a successful career in the fashion industry as a photography producer and a magazine photo editor. And now he’s a full-time graphic designer. “I was well equipped to establish the store’s look and feel, but little else,” he said.
His partner, also named Justin (Shu), provides freedom, encouragement, and logistical acumen.
Opened in late 2025, the tiny <300 square-foot store carries used literary fiction and non-fiction new titles with a particular point of view from independent presses, coffee table books on art, design, and photography. Prices are $9 for used trade paperbacks and $12 for hardcovers. Specialty books, rare books, and art books vary from $10 to $200.
Ridgefield First Selectperson Rudy Marconi appreciates seeing new businesses open in town. “Small, independent bookstores are coming back – they’re alive and well,” said Marconi noting bookstores play an important role in promoting journalism and encouraging people to write books. “They’re vital to meet the demands of our community. I’m sure people will appreciate having this store available to them.”
Annie Fandl, executive director of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, agrees that independent bookstores like Some Books play an important role in a community like Ridgefield.
“Locally owned bookstores offer a personal, curated experience and often serve as gathering spaces that foster connection, conversation, and a love of reading,” Fandl said. “They contribute to the character and charm of a town in a way that is unique and hard to replicate.
“Small businesses add to the vibrancy of our local economy and help create a dynamic destination that benefits both residents and visitors. We hope Some Books will not only thrive on its own, but also help drive foot traffic to neighboring businesses.”
Rose explained the bookshop takes its name from the art projects he hopes to start some day, referencing Ed Ruscha’s 1960’s artist’s books like “Every Building on the Sunset Strip.”
“My favorite is ‘Some Los Angeles Apartments.’ It has to be some. He could never have photographed them all, just as no single library could contain every book published this year. I wanted a store that sold a particular sampling of books, so with the same deadpan tone as Ruscha, I thought: Some Books.”
Rose curates inventory from estate sales, library sales, donations, auctions, and flea markets. “I’m looking for something that speaks to me, something I would feel glad to give to someone else,” he added. “There’s some basic personal taste involved, a little instinct, and a lot of aesthetic judgment. So much is available to us at any hour of the day that sometimes it’s comforting to be given a limited selection, offered from a distinct point of view,” said Rose.
The bookshop was the result of a meeting with Charles Moschos, owner of Ridgefield Vintage & Coffee, the shop next door. “The store was an antidote to the suburban boredom we felt after leaving Brooklyn,” Rose said. “We visited frequently, and I commented on the limited book selection, curious to see if the store would eventually carry more. They admitted they lacked the expertise or capacity to expand beyond the existing single bookshelf.”
When Moschos took over more space in the building, he shared his plan with Rose to curate complementary vendors to sublet. “I leapt and took the large back room, which has its own entrance and could conceivably be standalone,” Rose said. “Since I work full-time, having Charles there in person during the week and tapping into his customer base while ours grows was the final incentive.”
Customer service is Rose’s forte.
“I’m thrilled to talk to anyone who comes into the store about what they’ve recently read, what they’re looking to read next, or if they want a tailored book recommendation. I hope they walk away wanting to return, feeling like they’ve only scratched the surface of their browsing or are excited to see what becomes available in the future.”
Going forward, Rose has an endless list of ways to enhance the shop. “This summer we’re deepening our relationship with Folkways in Wilton through more wine tastings and paired book discussions,” he said. “We’ve recently added new books from six of my favorite small presses, both backlist and frontlist titles. More independent publishers will soon be on our shelves.
“Lastly, I’m particularly excited about the hard-to-get art books from European publishers that will very shortly complement our vintage collection.”
