News 12 is shining a light on a unique and historic Black-owned bookstore in the Hudson Valley. Sadie's Books and Beverages has quickly become a safe space for community members in Orange County and beyond.

"Sadie's is like grandma's hands," says Cecilia Calloway, who is a frequent visitor of Sadie's Books and Beverages.

Nestled along North Street in Middletown is Sadie's Books and Beverages.

"We call ourselves a 'bookseum.' The real premise of opening and vision for the space was not just reimaging a community center but reimaging a classroom in a space that could be a resource for the community," says the owner of Sadie's Books and Beverages, Yaa Yaa Whaley-Williams.

It also happens to be the first Black-owned bookstore in Orange County.

"It really has been like an extreme passion project turned into a grassroots community movement," Whaley-Williams tells News 12.

That's exactly what it has become since it opened in 2022.

"I have a website but people like to come, and feel and touch. It has been great because brick-and-mortar are really hard to acquire and maintain," says Patricia Davis, owner of Lolly's Handmade.

In this space, you'll find entrepreneurs, authors, even mental health specialists.

"We actually have a mental health workshop that we are going to hold in this space because of the feel of the space," says Stacy-Ann Bailey, the founder of Your Strength LLC.

It's all about cultivating a safe place centered around community.

"It keeps us together, it keeps us educated. You can learn everything pretty much about our own culture," says president of the NAACP Middletown branch, Danielle Matthews.

Whaley-Williams hopes to keep doing this for many years to come.

"Black history is a mindset and a lifestyle, not just a month so let's embrace this vibe all year long," says Whaley-Williams.

You can read more about Sadie's Books and Beverages on their website here

Some of the other people and businesses mentioned in this story include:

Erica Shorte, Owner of Shorte and Sweet: https://www.instagram.com/shorteandsweet/

Stacy-Ann Bailey, Founder of Your Strength LLC: https://yourmentalstrength.com/

Danielle Matthews, president of NAACP Middletown Branch

Kailee Brooks, frequent volunteer and creator for Krocheted by Kaiari.