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Books of Wonder Kicks Off 35th Anniversary Celebration

Illustration by Jerry Pinkney for Books of Wonders' 35th anniversary.

Books of Wonder, the shop founded by Peter Glassman and James Carey in barely 200 square feet of space on September 2, 1980, is kicking off a yearlong celebration of its 35th anniversary with its biggest sale ever, from Wednesday, September 2, through Labor Day, September 7.

The store, which now lays claim to the title of New York City’s largest independent children's bookstore, is offering customers discounts on books for all ages, children’s book artwork and limited edition prints, collectible and rare books, posters, and more.

It’s also rolling out a range of 35th anniversary products featuring special illustrations and stories created by favorite children's book authors and illustrators. The first two items, available now, are limited edition 35th anniversary tote bags designed for Books of Wonder by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney and New York Times bestselling author and artist Nick Bruel. Each tote features a design created by the artist exclusively for Book of Wonders’ anniversary and the store’s 35th anniversary logo.

In addition, customers will get an exclusive gift in each bag filled in the store and in each box packed for shipment.

Phoenix Books Rutland Grand Opening Set for September 28

Vermont’s Phoenix Books Rutland will celebrate its grand opening on September 28, followed two days later by an event featuring author Chris Bohjalian. The store, which is the third Phoenix Books location in the state, was made possible by a community-supported pre-buy program and local investors.

“We’ve been blessed with incredible community support, so we wanted to do something big to mark the opening,” co-owner Michael DeSanto said. “Few Vermont authors are more successful than Chris. His appearance is kind of a ‘thank you’ to the community for the amazing reception we’ve received.”

Phoenix Books Rutland will be managed by local resident Tricia Huebner, who is also a co-owner of the business with her husband, Tom.

“We’ve created a spectacular space that will be welcoming and warm, and will fill a need not just for books, but for discussion and debate and connecting with one another,” Huebner said. “This is a dream fulfilled for me personally, and for a lot of people in Rutland County.”

Phoenix Books plans a reception for pre-buyers and other key supporters on September 27, with the official grand opening set for the morning of September 28. DeSanto has hinted, however, that a soft opening might happen sooner.

The Bohjalian event will take place at the Green Mountain Power Energy Innovation Center (GMP), where the idea for Phoenix Books Rutland began last November. GMP, with support from the Downtown Rutland Partnership, Rutland Mayor Chris Louras, and a variety of local residents, organizations, and businesses, recruited DeSanto to open a store in Rutland. Last fall, GMP Vice President Steve Costello enlisted more than 50 people and businesses to pre-buy $1,000 worth of books each to support the store.

Phoenix Books was established in 2007 in Essex, Vermont, by DeSanto on the principles of social responsibility, community, and sustainability. Its other location is in Burlington, Vermont.

Burry Bookstore Celebrates Reopening

On August 31, the community of Hartsville, South Carolina, was welcomed to the grand reopening of Burry Bookstore by new owner Sandi Brown and her staff.

The bookstore was originally opened by Charles Everette Burry Sr. 43 years ago and remained a family-owned business until Brown purchased the store in August, the Hartsville Messenger reported.

The bookstore, which officially changed hands on August 7, closed briefly for remodeling. It now shares its space with TinCan, a paper boutique, and Georgia-based Walls of Books, a seller and buyer of used books.

“It is amazing to be open,” Brown said. “The support of the community reaffirms what is in my heart, what is in my head and how important this bookstore is to the community as a family.”

Besides new books, Burry stocks children’s toys, teacher supplies, greeting cards, and other gifts.

Napa Bookmine Marks Two Years With Special Deals for Two

Napa Bookmine is inviting customers to celebrate its two-year anniversary with a special offer for customers and their friends. “In the spirit of guerilla marketing” and “word-of-mouth advertising,” the store is encouraging customers to bring a friend who has never visited Napa Bookmine to the store on Saturday, September 12, and both will receive a 20 percent discount on everything in the store, including special orders paid for in advance.

All purchases will automatically enter customers in raffles for Napa Bookmine swag and other goodies.

The store, which sells new and used books, was opened in September 2013 by Naomi Chamblin and Eric Hagyard. Chamblin grew up working at her father’s Chamblin Bookmine in Jacksonville, Florida; she has also worked at Strand Book Store in New York City.

Books Inc. Recognized as One of Oldest Businesses in San Francisco

Books Inc. was featured as one of the oldest business in San Francisco in an August 14 article in San Francisco Weekly. “Not Dead Yet: The 10 Oldest Businesses in San Francisco” profiled companies “that represent classic San Francisco.” About Books Inc., the Weekly said:

“In 1851, Anton Roman made big money off of the Gold Rush and decided to open Shasta City bookshop (inaugurating the first San Francisco locale in 1857). Roman began publishing books by literary greats such as Bret Harte and Mark Twain in 1863, but eventually sold the shop in 1880. After changing owners several times, losing its Montgomery Street location to the 1906 earthquake, and numerous name changes, the shop, now called Books Inc., reemerged in the Fairmont Hotel in 1946. Today, Books Inc. stands as the West Coast’s oldest independent bookseller, with 11 California stores (four of them in San Francisco). Seeing as several of our city’s bookstores have vanished over the years, that’s quite the feat.”