Looking at Takoma’s New Bookstore

Orly Keiner is the owner of HouseMouse Books and Vintage, a tiny used bookstore in Takoma Park, Maryland that opened in December 2022. She has a background in foreign affairs, and was previously a high school teacher and a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine.

Keiner also happens to serve on the co-op’s board, which we both joined in December.

This interview has been edited.

What does everybody need to know about HouseMouse Books and Vintage?

HouseMouse is a tiny and highly-curated used bookstore in the heart of Takoma Park, located on the second floor above Mark’s Kitchen and the Olive Lounge. Because our space is limited, we put a lot of thought and effort into giving the people what we think will make them happy!

Among our most popular collections are our large children’s section (including a special collection of folklore and mythology), books on local history and issues, books about nature, and vintage history and sci-fi paperbacks.

The shop also stocks a selection of vintage items, skewing towards old objects that are small, beautiful, and useful, such as pocket knives, notebooks, and matchbooks. We are open weekends (Friday evenings 5–8pm, Saturdays 10am-8pm, Sundays 10am-5pm), and would make the perfect complement to your night out, Saturday stroll, or…