Local readers, book club members become ‘neighbors’ at Parthenon Books
Ann Duddy always loved to read, but she never saw herself owning a bookstore. In June, Duddy became the owner of Parthenon Books, an independent bookstore in Syracuse. Taite Paradise | Staff Photographer
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Ann Duddy learned to read when she was just 3 years old. Instead of watching TV, her older siblings read to her and explained what different words meant.
At 4, she picked up the book “Little Bear” and brought it over to her parents. To their disbelief, she started reading the whole thing.
“I’ve always been a big reader. I’ve always read a lot of different kinds of books,” Duddy said. “I’m still like that.”
Duddy never dreamed of owning a bookstore, even after working at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s bookstore and library during college. But in 2022, when Parthenon Books opened up in downtown Syracuse, Duddy immediately pushed for a job to help the store grow. Since last June, she’s owned the store.
As the only independent bookstore in downtown Syracuse, Parthenon has distinguished itself through its book clubs and trivia nights, Duddy said. While some stores in downtown Syracuse, such as Sugar Grove and Original Grain, have closed within the last few months, Parthenon Books has remained a thriving community hub since its opening, Duddy said.
“I don’t think you are going to have people walk into Barnes & Noble and the staff knows who they are,” Duddy said. “We have a lot of regulars, and they see this as their bookstore.”
Duddy started the store’s first book club, “Lattes and Literature,” which focuses on literary fiction. The store’s “Unhappy Hour” club, led by Syracuse University alum Linus Brooks, dives into horror stories such as “The Only Good Indians” by Stephen Graham Jones.
“The thing that I love about books is that you learn stuff about other people who aren’t like you and lives that are not like yours, and as a result, you learn a little about yourself,” Duddy said.
With six book clubs, Parthenon Books in downtown Syracuse differentiates itself from larger booksellers by having a literary club for every reader. From fiction to horror stories, Parthenon Books’ book clubs have helped it thrive. Taite Paradise | Staff Photographer
Syracuse local Jacqueline Pilon is a member of the Lattes and Literature club and said she visits Parthenon four times a week. Pilon’s mother is currently in the hospital, and she said Duddy always texts her to check in.
“When I walk in the door, people know me,” Pilon said. “I am appreciated. If I’m not here at least every couple of days, I get a text from Ann asking if I’m okay.”
Pilon said she most enjoys reading nonfiction books. But to step out of her comfort zone, she joined Lattes and Literature to explore fiction stories. She said she’s enjoyed many of the club’s selections, including “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” by Rufi Thorpe.
“Do I always like the books? No. Do I have good conversations about the books and have I made a lot of friends doing that? Yes,’’ Pilon said.
Duddy said Parthenon’s six book clubs have been the driving factor behind the store’s community connection. Several young customers joined the Lattes and Literature club and immediately became friends. Now, they hang out together consistently outside of the club, she said.
Brooks said trivia also became popular at the store last spring. He hosted four trivia nights and brainstormed questions on topics ranging from geography — his major at SU— to movies and more.
“I was shocked by how many people came to them because there are so many trivia nights (at other places), but they were really fun,” Brooks said.
Despite the store’s successes, it has also faced serious challenges. Duddy said Parthenon’s business sales weren’t as high this winter due to poor weather, adding that locals sometimes don’t want to go downtown due to parking challenges and safety concerns.
When a new Barnes & Noble opened at Destiny USA in August 2024, Duddy said Parthenon’s sales declined as locals shifted their attention there. Parthenon has struggled to keep up with larger chain bookstores because they have less accessible parking downtown and a smaller book selection.
Still, Duddy believes every community deserves an independent bookstore, and was shocked when she realized downtown Syracuse initially didn’t have one. She said it’s important for smaller businesses to stand up against larger corporations, like Amazon.
“I think that Amazon is the ultimate evil, because not only do they hurt small businesses, but they’re hurting the people who are selling through them by undercutting them,” Duddy said. “Publishers and authors suffer.”
With corporations like Amazon “taking over” the book space, Brooks said it is important for people to decide what information they have access to. He said that if you’re only relying on corporations for books, it’s easier for them to decide what they don’t want to have on their platforms.
“It’s really important that people have physical places to go to to find their books and to find information that will counter certain narratives that governments and
corporations want,” Brooks said.
Retailers like Amazon don’t have book clubs every month. But, independent booksellers like Parthenon do.
“They (Parthenon) know you. There’s an actual relationship,” Pilon said. “These are my neighbors. I’m helping my neighbors.”
