Westwinds Bookshop is that special place where everyone knows your name.

Walking into Westwinds, customers are likely to be greeted by longtime employee LuAnn Keenan. A bookseller for over 12 years, she knows most everyone’s name, favorite book, and even their children’s favorite books. It’s that kind of personable relationship that keeps people returning and the store thriving in a tough economy where other independent bookstores have succumbed. “LuAnn is the buyer and she buys with the customers in mind because she knows the customers and she knows their kids,” said store manager Brooke McDonough. “She knows their whole families.”

Located in a sunny section of the Depot Street Shops, Westwinds has been a pillar of the Duxbury community for 65 years, though it was nearly shuttered last spring. When Lydia Hart read that it was set to close, she and her husband Doug, both of whom have been customers all of their lives, made the decision to buy it.

“Neither of us knows anything about retail,” said Hart. “All we wanted to do was keep it open. It was an investment in the community.”

The first order of business for Hart and McDonough was to move the location over a block and completely renovate the new spot. It’s now an open and airy space with wide aisles, lots of natural light and a loft where teens can go to peruse the young adult section out from under the prying eyes of adults. There are fluffy couches and throw pillows, even a toddler table for children to sit with a book. This is a place where people go to get comfortable and more important – to connect.

“People come here and we talk all day long,” said McDonough. “It’s not like shopping at Target.”

Hart agreed. “It’s 95 percent therapy and five percent retail. People stop in to say hello when they’re out for a walk. It’s very special.”

In an age when retail giants like Amazon are paying customers to walk out of mom-n-pop shops and buy online, something neither Hart nor McDonough have witnessed in their store, Westwinds succeeds because it caters to all of their clients. It’s a model that’s apparently working for independent bookstores. According to the American Booksellers Association, business is up 15.5 percent over last year’s figures at indies nationwide this holiday season. But Westwinds goes even further to appeal to all of their clients.

Partnering with Duxbury Free Library to host a popular author series buzzed about in New York City publishing circles, Westwinds and the library attract some of the biggest names to hit the New York Times’ bestseller list because they attract some of the biggest audiences. The Sunday Salon Series, sponsored by both the store and library, and held in the library’s Merry Room, often exceeds its 130 occupancy.

“They’ve been very supportive of my writers,” said Claire Wachtel, Harper Collins senior vice-president and editor to such literati as Dennis Lehane, Jennifer Haigh, Mitchell Zuckoff and Daphne Kalotay – all of whom have spoken at the Sunday Salon. “I know how important they are to writers. They enhance the whole experience.”

Duxbury Free Library director Carol Jankowski said she’s been partnering with the store for years and is thrilled to continue doing so with Hart and McDonough. She credits the success of the program to many factors, not the least of which is the people of Duxbury.

“The community is extremely educated, literate and excited about all kinds of topics,” said Jankowski, noting Duxbury is home to many active book clubs. “This town has an unquenchable thirst for non-fiction, novels and literary work.”

For authors, the experience of going to one of the hottest spots in book tour circles is a dream. For others, it’s like going home. Marianne Leone, a Kingston resident and author of the memoir “Knowing Jesse: A Mother’s Story of Grief, Grace, and Everyday Bliss” refers to Westwinds as her bookstore.

“I think it’s ideal,” said Leone. “Amazon doesn’t give you that shared experience of having Ann Hood come into your community and share her experience of becoming a writer. Stories are what’s at the heart of this and Westwinds allows us to tell our stories.”

When asked about Westwinds, Lynne Griffin, Scituate resident and author of such novels as “Sea Escape” and “Life Without Summer,” also mentioned community. She said the store is less a business and more a gathering place for like-minded people who love reading.

“It’s a very supportive community where the staff and patrons engage in a lot of word-of-mouth about books,” said Griffin. “They’re all passionate readers first and foremost.”

Sitting on one of the couches, jumping up every so often to help a customer find a book or greet a neighbor, McDonough said this is a labor of love on many fronts – on the part of the store, the authors, and most especially, the people of Duxbury.

“Every indie bookstore is so great because it reflects its community,” said McDonough. “And this is a great community.”