The last Saturday of April — this year on April 25 — marks Independent Bookstore Day. The day celebrates small and local businesses that have persisted, despite big names like Amazon threatening their existence.

Married couple Michele Dubois and Renee Seinfeld have co-owned and operated Octopus Bookshop in Kennebunk since it opened just a little under a year ago in June 2025. The couple previously ran and owned an independent insurance agency but decided to take their love of books and transform it into something greater.

Octopus Bookshop is just one of many independent bookstores in York County. To plan how you might celebrate Independent Bookstore Day, here are three independent bookstores along the coast worth checking out:

Octopus Bookshop

41 Main St., Kennebunk. octopusbookshop.com

Dubois says one of her and her wife’s favorite parts of owning a bookshop is the careful consideration they get to put into crafting the selection they offer.

“Renee and I,” Dubois said, before pausing and correcting herself with a laugh, “mostly Renee, but Renee and I together hand-select every book that goes on the shelf.”

They take a lot of pride in the personal touch it adds to their store.

They haven’t read every book in the store (though Dubois would like to say that’s the case) but rely on recommendations from Publisher’s Weekly, reviews on Goodreads, customers and even what they see in their travels.

“It’s really nice when you’re in other states or in other countries to see what they carry, and we’ll make notes about, ‘Oh, my gosh, that’s a fabulous book, we should carry it.’”

Lupine Books

28 Dock Square, Kennebunkport. instagram.com/lupinebooksmaine

Lupine Books sits in Dock Square amid the heart of downtown Kennebunkport. The store offers a curated selection of books for locals and visitors alike.

Opened by RSU 21 teacher Emma Wilson, Lupine Books is conveniently located across from Dock Square Coffee, making it a perfect place to stop on your trip to Gooch’s Beach to pick up an iced coffee and a new book.

Supporting local stores owned by Mainers helps to strengthen the community, Dubois said.

“And the importance of our customers, of course, is to create community, and to build … that warmth of … walking down own the street and being able to pop in and out and create a community,” she said.

Perkins Cove Bookshop

12 Perkins Cove Road, Ogunquit. perkinscovebookshop.com

Perkins Cove Bookshop boasts over 1,600 titles, from best-sellers to the classics. According to the store’s website, its staff members are avid readers who look forward to helping you find your next read.

The store is Ogunquit’s only bookshop and prides itself on being a place for readers to browse, linger and connect.

Similar to Lupine Books, Perkins Cove has limited hours (which can be found on its website), but all three bookstores also have online stores so you can support them and shop small, even if you aren’t able to visit in person.

Perkins Cove highlights a number of authors from Maine, as well as an entire Maine-themed section, in its online store.