Sparta Books is open with new owner

Sparta — Sparta Books has a new owner, Kristen Cernek. A frequent patron of Sparta Books, Cernek felt the store just couldn’t disappear. “It’s a hub here in Sparta,” Cernek noted. The store is busy with customers who reached out to welcome Cernek or bid farewell to former owner, Carol Viall, who will stay on for a while during the transition. “Everyone has been very supportive,” Cernek added. Cernek’s plan is to continue many of the services Sparta Books has provided since moving to its Theatre Center location in 1986, with an emphasis on the “hometown feel”. For now, the summer hours will remain the same and expanded hours will be announced in the early fall. The staff is busy restocking and ordering new inventory. The store has all of the local school’s required summer reading lists and the books are on their way. Cernek is a long-time Sussex County resident and she and her husband, Doug, and their family are Sparta residents. Most recently, she was one of the Chairs for the Safety Village program and is a member of the Sparta Junior Woman’s Club as well as a Brownie leader, cheerleading coach and a volunteer for numerous school activities. The Cerneks also own Sparta Books’ neighbor, Lake Mohawk Bagels, and Doug Cernek is associated with the Parsippany branch of Real Estate Mortgage Network. Shortly, Sparta Books will be announcing its Story Hour plans as well as additional activities and events. Cernek is certain that book signings will be scheduled in the fall and welcomes inquiries especially from New Jersey authors. Sparta Books is located at 41 Theatre Center Route 181, Sparta, NJ and can be reached at 729-6200.