Pennsylvania Bookstore’s Furry Manager Wins Over Shoppers With More Than Just Books
If you love books and cats as much as I do, you’ll want to pin East Pennsboro Township on your map, because tucked away there is a bookstore that feels straight out of a dream.
Cupboard Maker Books isn’t just a haven for readers, it’s also home to a furry little manager named Mouse, who might just steal your heart the moment you walk through the door.
Cupboard Maker Books in Enola is hard to miss, thanks to its vibrant mural of oversized books painted across the exterior wall.
Inside, you’ll find more than 125,000 titles, from well-loved classics to the latest bestsellers. But the real charm lies beyond the shelves.
This whimsical bookstore doubles as a safe haven for cats. While you browse, you’ll likely bump into one of its resident felines, lounging on a stack of novels or weaving between the aisles as if they own the place, which, in a way, they do.
Nearly three decades ago, Jason and Michelle Haring opened a small bookstore decorated with painted furniture and just one modest shelf of books.
Over time, their vision grew into one of the largest independent bookstores in the region. And along the way, cats became part of the story.
As devoted cat lovers, Jason and Michelle partnered with a local rescue group, Castaway Critters, to provide a temporary home for adoptable cats.
Over the years, their shop has been fitted with shelves, climbing trees, cozy beds, and even a dedicated cat room to keep their furry guests comfortable.
Some cats come and go once they’re adopted, while others have stayed for good. Today, visitors are welcomed by Mouse, Odin, and Annika, the bookstore’s resident cats. Among them, Mouse has taken on the role of “manager.”
Mouse was born in the bookstore, part of a litter of four kittens. While his siblings eventually found homes, Mouse decided his place was right there among the books.
From the start, he explored every corner, as though making sure the store was in perfect order.
It was clear early on that Mouse wasn’t going anywhere, he had chosen Cupboard Maker Books as his forever home. And with that, a new manager was unofficially appointed.
Mouse takes his responsibilities seriously. Each morning, he greets customers at the door before making his rounds through the aisles.
He checks on the foster kitties, ensures nothing is out of place, and supervises book clubs held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
As Jason explained in an interview:
“On Tuesdays and Thursday nights we have book clubs, and you often see Mouse jumping up, walking down… Most people love him! He’s the king around here!”
But perhaps his greatest job is spreading joy. Visitors from near and far fall in love with him, and Mouse is always ready to return the affection. As Michelle put it:
“We help books and cats find their forever homes.”
Between the endless shelves of books, the welcoming atmosphere, and the undeniable charm of its feline residents, Cupboard Maker Books is much more than a store, it’s an experience.
For me, Mouse is reason enough to make the trip. I can just picture him guiding me toward the perfect read, all while adding a touch of magic that only a bookstore cat could bring.
Enola, Pennsylvania, is officially on my list, and I have Mouse to thank for that.
You can check out Mouse the bookstore manager in this video.
