ROME, N.Y. — The city of Rome just got its second new bookstore in less than a year, but the newest shop, Circle Time Books & More, focuses on the city’s youngest readers.

“I think every child should have a bedtime story,” says Teri Smith, who opened the shop with her husband Richard. “I want to get parents to connect with their kids with a book.”

Her store at 401 N. James St., which celebrated its grand opening on Aug. 5, is filled with books and a selection of toys for kids ages 12 and under.

The idea for the store emanated from Smith’s 40 years of experience providing daycare services, and the name was inspired by the circle time she holds for her young charges. “Kids like to read, but kids aren’t reading anymore,” Smith says, noting that she hopes to change that.

Circle Time Books & More carries numerous books that come with a stuffed animal, including many from Slumberkins, so that children can have a tactile experience while reading or having someone read to them. According to the Slumberkins website, the snuggly items that come with the books help provide security and comfort, support emotional regulation, and help inspire imagination.

Circle Time also stocks the Barefoot Books brand, which is typically only sold through home parties, but is available in select stores. “I like the process they go through in choosing what books to get,” Smith says of the company. The store also stocks a selection of Christian books and books in Spanish.

Smith is leasing about 800 square feet for the store. She and her husband currently are the only employees, but Smith hopes to have their grandchildren help out. Friends and family are also available to help as needed, Smith notes.

It took about two months to get the space ready to open and about $20,000, a personal investment, to launch the business, she says.

“We put a lot of thought into what is in here,” Smith says. From hand puppets to sensory dough, all the toys have a purpose.

Smith believes the quality of merchandise and the personal touch Circle Time offers will help it compete with online retailers and large bookstore chains.

“If you come in here, we can guide you to something,” she says. Along with a personalized experience, she wants to make it an adventure for children to visit the store and pick out a new book.

Smith continues to provide daycare services, so the stores hours remain limited at this time. Circle Time Books & More is open Tuesday through Friday from 2-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Just like the store’s name says, Smith hopes to soon offer circle time there, either inside the store or on the lawn next door during nice weather. Smith hopes one of the books the store will be able to feature soon is one she is writing with her sister Corri Lenaghen about “Opal the goat.”

Circle Time does not compete with Keaton & Lloyd Bookshop, which opened in Rome in October 2021. That store caters to teens and adults.         

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — The Mohawk Valley’s first selfie museum, Selfie City CNY, is now open in the Avenue Plaza at 4697 Commercial Drive in New Hartford.

Selfie museum is a term for an art gallery or installation full of backdrops. Visitors can pose for photos they can share on their social-media sites.

Owner John Baker got the idea after his niece visited a selfie museum in North Carolina. “When I saw the pictures she took there, I thought that would be wonderful here,” he says.

Baker leased the 4,200-square-foot former Avenue store and spent the month of April getting the space ready with help from his brother-in-law Chris Stevens, who built a lot of the sets.

Baker’s startup costs totaled $50,000 to $60,000, which included supplies for the rooms/backdrops, the lights, hiring an artist to paint a mural, getting a logo designed, and merchandise. Selfie City CNY opened in early May with 20 different rooms and backdrops full of vibrant colors and fun props. Each one is equipped with a ring light.

Want to make it rain cash? There’s a room for that. Ever wanted to be the prize in a claw machine? You can do that. There’s a selfie grocery store, a phone booth, and even selfie jail, but those looks might not be around for long.

 “Every couple of months, I’ll switch some [rooms] out,” Baker says, because he wants to keep things fresh and new. He also plans on having seasonal and holiday looks as well. Along with providing a space for people to be creative, the business also offers a creative outlet for Baker, who worked at Pacemaker Steel before opening the museum.

“I have changing rooms so people can bring different outfits,” Baker notes. Visitors can use a camera or their phones and capture as many pictures with as many backdrops as they like for a fee of $20 for adults and $15 for kids age 12 and under. Professional photographers can also use the space as a studio for the same fee.

“I think it has the opportunity to be something for so many different things,” Baker says of the Selfie City concept. His overall goal is for the museum to be a positive space where people can come in, be themselves, and love themselves. The museum is for all ages and genders, he says. “It’s something for everybody to have their moment to be free.”

With an open floor in the middle, the space can also host events and has already hosted several drag shows. People can book events like birthday parties or bachelor/bachelorette parties. Selfie City CNY can even host corporate events like meetings for companies looking to try something a little different, he adds.

Baker promotes the museum on social media including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. He’s big on word of mouth and encourages visitors to tag Selfie City CNY and share their pictures.

“Everyone who has come in has raved about it,” Baker says.

He also joined the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce and held a ribbon-cutting event with the chamber. Baker is also working on a promotional flyer. He expects business to increase as summer ends and people look for more things to do indoors.

Ultimately, Baker would love to be able to add a few employees — right now he works the business by himself — and have a full calendar of parties and events.

Selfie City CNY (www.selfiecitycny.com) is open Wednesday through Saturday from 2-10 p.m. and Sunday from 12-6 p.m.