A New Chapter at Excelsior Bay Books

by Mollee Francisco | Mar 2026

Amanda and Dan Pesek carry on Water Street’s bookstore legacy with the purchase of Excelsior Bay Books. Photos: Chris Emeott

A local author’s latest business venture makes perfect sense.

Amanda Pesek knows the thrill of seeing your own book featured on bookstore shelves. Now, the E is for Excelsior author is getting a taste of what it’s like to choose which books to feature, especially for March’s National Reading Month. Amanda and her husband, Dan Pesek, took over ownership of Excelsior Bay Books on September 1. “It’s not something I was looking to pursue,” Amanda says. “But it’s been fun.”

Amanda says she became acquainted with former owners Ann and Dale Woodbeck while dropping off copies of her book. That’s how she learned the store, which they had owned since 2020, was for sale. “Ann mentioned they were retiring and looking for new owners, and I thought it would be an interesting opportunity,” Amanda says.

After talking it over, Amanda and Dan decided to move forward with the purchase. The couple have lived in Excelsior for the last eight years and have two young daughters, Madeline and Clara, who love going to the bookstore. Making sure the store continued to exist for them and other readers was important to the couple. “It’s a commitment to the community,” Amanda says.

And so far, the community has been thankful. “People have been very appreciative,” Amanda says. “They love having a place to go and get books.” And so does Amanda. Since taking over, her TBR (to be read) pile looks a bit different than it used to. “I read a lot of fantasy,” she says. “But now, I’m being more deliberate and trying to read what I think people will be interested in.”

Carrying an assortment of books in the store is a priority for Amanda. “People appreciate the wide variety,” she says. “I’m definitely following the [Woodbeck] formula. They’re pretty big shoes to fill.”

While Amanda doesn’t plan to make any major changes to the store, she is interested in looking into offering more events with the community, including via book clubs and collaborations with other businesses. For now, she doesn’t want to overextend herself as she gets used to running the store. That means her previous venture, making and selling macarons under the banner Macarons by Madeline, has been pushed to the backburner. “Baking is definitely on pause,” she says.

But writing books is not. After publishing the children’s alphabet book E is for Excelsior in 2023, Amanda set her sights on publishing again. “Another illustrated book is in the works,” she says. And she’s got the perfect place to display it once it’s ready—her very own bookstore.

Amanda still can’t believe that this is where life has led her, but she’s thrilled with the results. “I wake up, and I’m excited to go into the store,” Amanda says. “I’m happy.”