Christel MacLean, co-owner of Circus Café, The Crown Grille and Saratoga Juice Bar, was the first customer to buy books at Broadway’s new Northshire Bookstore, which opened Aug. 5 to Spa City’s general joy. Residents have missed having a bookshop since Borders closed in June 2000, although The Lyrical Ballad continues to supply antique tomes, vintage books, used paperbacks and a wonderful warren of rooms in a former bank vault.

MacLean has made a tradition of this run to the register: She was also the first person to make a purchase when the former Borders bookstore opened in June 2000. Also, she was one of the store’s final paying customers.

In the first photo here, Northshire owner Chris Morrow rings her up—the first of many delighted buyers.

--Jennie