King Street welcomes Molly’s Bookstore to Allston Labworks

Allston, MA According to King Street Properties (King Street), independent bookseller, Molly’s Bookstore, will open its second location at Allston Labworks in a 2,775 s/f space later this fall. Molly’s is the fourth commercial lease at Allston Labworks, a designed mixed-use development for life science companies, retail and residential, located along the emerging Western Ave. corridor. 

Founded by attorney-
turned-bookseller Andrea Ariarte Dent, Molly’s first opened in Melrose in 2023, quickly becoming a gathering place for readers and neighbors alike. Named after her rescue dog, Molly, Ariarte Dent draws from her love of books and her experience visiting independent bookstores all over the world to create a community space where people come to read and connect. 

“We’re thrilled to be opening our second location at Allston Labworks and to bring our beloved bookstore experience to the Allston neighborhood. Our vision has always been to create a welcoming place where people can gather, read, and connect — a true community space for all,” said Ariarte Dent. 

“Allston Labworks was always envisioned as a destination where innovation and community thrive side by side,” said Mike Diminico, managing director/partner, King Street Properties. “Welcoming Molly’s Bookstore to the project reinforces our commitment to creating a dynamic neighborhood where culture and commerce enrich one another.”

The new location will carry forward the same atmosphere as the original shop and will host programs, community gatherings and book-themed events. Molly’s offers a quality selection of new and used books, as well as gifts and educational items for customers of all ages and backgrounds. 

King Street has prioritized local businesses at Allston Labworks, a community which includes 20,000 s/f of ground-floor retail spread across three buildings. Molly’s joins the project’s offerings that include non-profit BioBuilder, a life science training facility for high school students, Alchemy Station, a women-owned art consulting firm and creative studio, as well as FiDO, a New York-style pizza restaurant and cocktail bar by Traveler Street Hospitality, and Park Bagelry, a new concept by Tiny Engine Collective.