The Otto Bookstore

Williamsport's historic Otto Bookstore recently opened its expanded space. Bookmarks stopped by the store's reopening reception to gather a few recommendations from the readers celebrating the store.

Thursday night’s reception unveiled the Otto Bookstore’s first expansion in more than 180 years of business.

Over the next couple of weeks, readers in Lackawanna and Lycoming counties will have opportunities to support libraries and local authors.

On the frigid first morning of February, Jessup’s forecasting ferret drew a crowd of hundreds for a morning of tomfoolery, marking a new tradition in the Lackawanna County borough. But Jessup Giuseppe and Punxsutawney Phil ended up at odds about the forecast.

Throughout its more than 180 years in business, Otto Bookstore has moved around Williamsport, but it’s never expanded. That’s about to change as the bookstore’s owners announced they are preparing to double the store’s space by expanding into a former bridal shop right next door.

The Little League World Series brings in about 75,000 visitors each year, boosting the local economy.