Park Books Merges With A Likely Story Bookstore

Park Books & LitCoLab of Severna Park and A Likely Story Bookstore of Sykesville, Maryland, are merging. After 18 years of dedicated ownership by Debbie Scheller, A Likely Story will join forces with Park Books to create a dynamic and expanded literary hub for the region.

The merger, to take place on January 1, combines the deep-rooted reputation and expertise of Scheller, owner of A Likely Story Bookstore, with the creative vision and innovation of Melody Wukitch, owner of Park Books.

The owners said the partnership promises to elevate the cultural landscape across central Maryland, including Anne Arundel, Carroll and Howard counties, offering an enhanced array of author events, community partnerships, literary festivals and educational initiatives.

The staff of both organizations will work together closely to ensure a seamless transition, focusing on maintaining the personalized customer service and unique bookstore experiences that patrons have come to appreciate at both stores.

“I am thrilled to bring together these two beloved independent bookstores to create something extraordinary for both communities,” Wukitch said. “Debbie has been a true pioneer in fostering a vibrant book community in Maryland. I look forward to building upon her legacy while infusing new energy and creative ideas into this next chapter.”

Scheller, who will continue to play an important role in the new venture, expressed her excitement about the merger.

“I’ve had the privilege of serving Carroll County readers for many years, and this merge allows us to expand our reach and bring even more diverse and innovative literary experiences to our communities,” she said. “With our shared vision, I am confident that our expanded team will make a lasting impact.”

Both owners intend to rebrand to reflect their commitment to becoming one unified entity. “It’s an important step,” Scheller said, “however, we’re not in a rush; we’re excited to see how each store evolves as we bring our teams together.”