There’s something special about walking into a bookstore and feeling the weight of a book in your hands, something no screen can replace. Vanishing Ink Books, an independent bookstore that opened on May 17 this year, aims to bring the community together through a variety of book genres. Owner and author Allyson McCabe shares her journey to opening her bookshop to create meaningful connections with readers and book lovers alike.
The journey to ownership
A longtime Westchester resident, McCabe has been living in Hastings-on-Hudson for about 10 years. When the only independent bookstore in town, Galapagos, closed in 2023, McCabe envisioned bringing a new book space to the area. After publishing Why Sinéad O’Connor Matters in 2023 and connecting with readers on tour, she was inspired to open a new bookstore in Hastings.
“I envisioned Vanishing Ink not just as a place to buy books, but a place to discover ideas, a place where culture and community come together,” McCabe shares.
When laying out the vision for the bookstore prior to its opening, she didn’t want to replicate chain bookstores; she wanted the selection of books to be thoughtfully curated and the space to be inclusive. The bookshop feels open and modern — a welcoming space that invites you to linger and explore.
“I knew that I wasn’t trying to replace a chain bookstore or digital retailer. I wanted Vanishing Ink to spark curiosity and wonder, to offer readers an opportunity for discovery and joy,” McCabe notes.
Since McCabe was a child, she observed how books opened up worlds of possibility for her and empowered her to imagine the possibility of her own story. She hopes to pay that forward and inspire current and future generations. “At a time when book bans, censorship, and the erasure of so-called ‘woke’ narratives are on the rise, I hope my bookstore is a place where the ink never vanishes,” she observes.
The milestones and challenges
Although Vanishing Ink Books has only been open for a month, McCabe notes that the bookshop has received amazing reception. “I love helping people find their next great reads, but more than that, I love being able to serve my community,” she adds.
Even so, running a bookstore inevitably comes with a few challenges. Because of Vanishing Ink’s modest size, every book on the shelf is carefully chosen with attention to detail. The bookshop brings in special orders and collaborates with local authors, inviting genre superfans to help with the curation process.
“We’re looking forward to hosting workshops and events in our space, and in partnership with other businesses and community-based spaces in Hastings,” McCabe says.
What’s in store at Vanishing Ink Books
Vanishing Ink’s next event will be on July 24 in partnership with The Good Witch Coffee Bar in Hastings-on-Hudson. This event will be a celebration of Sinéad O’Connor’s — an Irish singer-songwriter known for her unique voice and powerful performances — life and legacy. The event will include music, refreshments, and readings from contributors to the upcoming anthology Nothing Compares to You: What Sinéad O’Connor Means to Us published by Atria/One Signal (Allyson McCabe is one of the contributors). There will be more details to follow on this event.
Be sure to visit the store’s website for more information about this and upcoming events and follow the shop on Instagram.
Vanishing Ink Books is located at 2 Spring Street on the corner of Spring and Southside Avenue. The entrance is on Southside Avenue across the street from the Hastings-on-Hudson Library.
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