When Spanish teacher Denise Cruz, of Bellmore, first brought her book-themed crafts to local fairs and markets, she never imagined it would evolve into a mobile bookstore drawing hundreds of visitors from across Long Island.
Cruz, a teacher at H. Frank Carey High School in the Sewanhaka Central High School District, said her lifelong love of reading began after she moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic and learned English through books.
Over the years, she crafted bookmarks, key chains, journals, and other literary-themed items for local markets, but unpredictable weather often ruined her merchandise and forced her to rethink her approach.
“It blew my tent away at a fair,” Cruz, a Bellmore resident since 2009, said. “I had to figure out a way to protect my merchandise and still share books with the community.”
Inspired by a mobile bookstore she saw on Instagram, Cruz invested in a custom trailer designed to feel like a traditional bookstore on wheels. Taller than standard trailers to accommodate adults, with floor space for children to sit and read, the mobile bookstore debuted with a grand opening on Sept. 13, 2025.
The mobile bookstore, dubbed The Wandering Page, now travels to festivals, book clubs, and community events, often collaborating with local businesses, including Buzz’d Express Coffee in North Bellmore. Cruz curates an inventory spanning multiple genres and offers book-themed merchandise, blind-date-with-a-book packages, and works by local artists.
Cruz frequently emphasizes the importance of supporting independent bookstores.
“Shopping locally helps support the authors and keeps small businesses alive,” she said.
Industry data supports this, noting that authors typically earn only a fraction of a book’s retail price when sold through major online retailers.
Her husband, Juan Carlos Cruz, a New York City Police detective nearing retirement, said the trailer has been a game-changer.
“It’s indoors, enjoyable, and allows customers to shop without worrying about the weather,” he said, adding that seeing children and families discover books together is especially rewarding.
The growth of The Wandering Page aligns with a wider renaissance of independent bookstores. According to data from the American Booksellers Association, the number of indie bookstores decreased from around 7,000 in 1994 to 1,651 in 2009, after the launch of Amazon in 1995. Since 2020, however, independent bookstores nationwide have increased roughly 70 percent, to 3,281 shops.
Historically, mobile bookstores have roots in public library bookmobiles, which bring literature to communities with limited access. The national Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services registers such vehicles to ensure quality and accessibility. On Long Island, at least two mobile bookstores, including The Wandering Page, are registered with the association.
Social media has amplified the trailer’s reach, with The Wandering Page’s Instagram followers growing from 100 to nearly 5,000 since its debut. During winter months, the trailer is parked in the Cruzes’ driveway, with small tents used for markets when weather permits. While the couple has discussed the possibility of a permanent storefront, they currently enjoy bringing books directly to neighborhoods across Long Island.
“The Wandering Page isn’t just a business,” Juan Cruz said. “It’s a way to bring communities together, inspire young readers, and support local authors and small businesses.”
