The Odyssey Bookshop
| Company type | Independent bookstore |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (books) |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Romeo Grenier |
| Headquarters | South Hadley , United States |
Area served | Mount Holyoke College community |
Key people | Joan Grenier (owner), Neil Novik (co-owner) |
| Products | Trade books, textbooks, art supplies, Mount Holyoke merchandise |
| Website | www |
The Odyssey Bookshop operates as an independent bookstore located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It offers an extensive variety of trade books and serves as the sole supplier of textbooks for Mount Holyoke College. The store also organizes author events and hosts book club meetings.
History
The origins of The Odyssey trace back to Glesmann's Pharmacy, which Romeo Grenier, a licensed pharmacist, purchased in 1957 near Mount Holyoke College. Over the years, the establishment shifted from a pharmacy into a community literary venue featuring author presentations and book clubs. In 1963, Grenier transformed the business into The Odyssey Bookshop. Although two fires caused significant damage during the 1980s, ownership transitioned in 1991 to his daughter, Joan Grenier, who subsequently moved the bookstore to the Village Commons. Neil Novik joined as co-owner in 1998.
Mount Holyoke College
Beginning in 2001, The Odyssey became the exclusive provider of textbooks for Mount Holyoke College courses and expanded its offerings to include art supplies starting in 2003. In 2017, it assumed the role of official vendor for Mount Holyoke-branded spirit wear and merchandise, replacing the former campus store.