Around Indies

Novel Bookstore to Open in Memphis

Novel, a new bookstore taking the place of The Booksellers at Laurelwood in Memphis, Tennessee, which closed earlier this year, will feature a 3,100-square-foot restaurant called Libro, reported the Commercial Appeal.

The 10,000-square-foot bookstore is the product of the efforts of more than 20 investors, according to Commercial Appeal, who hope to open the store in August. The store is retaining many of the staff members from The Booksellers at Laurelwood.

Bookbinders Basalt Debuts

Catherine Maas opened Bookbinders Basalt in Basalt, Colorado, earlier this month, the Aspen Times reported. “I think of books as part of a well-rounded life,” Maas told the Times.

The 1,200-square-foot bookstore carries more than 5,000 titles, including special category books on its mezzanine, as well as magazines, gifts, educational toys, and puzzles. The store also features a small section of Spanish-language books, a local writers section, and a robust children’s and young adult section.

Events include weekly story times for children, and a monthly book club will meet at the store, beginning with a July 20 discussion on A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (Viking). Poetry readings and book signings are also in the works.

Walls of Books Opens in Columbus, Georgia

Andrew Oliver, who has a background in the heating and air supply industry, opened a Walls of Books location in Columbus, Georgia, on June 9, reported the Ledger-Enquirer. The store primarily features used books.

“I’ve always wanted to have a bookstore all my adult life because I’m an avid reader,” Oliver told the Ledger-Enquirer. “I always thought that one day I would retire and I’d have a bookstore to putter around in, the golden years sort of thing. Then all of the stars lined up and the opportunity arose.”

Walls of Books is a franchise of Gottwals Books, an independent bookstore chain founded by Shane and Abbey Gottwals in 2007.

The Strand, Three Sisters, and Next Page Books Mark Anniversaries

Fred Bass along with Nancy Bass Wyden and daughter Scarlett (Photo courtesy of Janna Jesson and Strand Book Store)

New York City’s Strand Book Store celebrated its 90th birthday on Monday, June 26, when 100 guests joined owners Fred Bass and Nancy Bass Wyden for a party in the store’s rare book room. The event featured appearances by editor and author David Levithan, National Book Foundation President Lisa Lucas, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Three Sisters Books & Gifts, located in Shelbyville, Indiana, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this week. Established in 2002, the store is owned by sisters Mary Kay Pitts, Barbara Rogers, and Carolyn Statler. From June 24 to June 30, Three Sisters is offering special sales and discounts to its customers and is inviting them to share their favorite bookstore memories in the store’s guest book.

Next Page Books & Nosh, located in Frisco, Colorado, is marking 10 years in business this month, reported Summit Daily. Owner Lisa Holenko and her husband, Doug Robinson, bought the business just last summer.

“It’s amazing to have the support from the community that we do, and we’re incredibly thankful to them for keeping us on Main Street all this time,” said Holenko, adding that the store has been in the same location for the past 10 years.

Bookbug to Expand

Bookbug, which opened in 2008 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, announced this week that it will be expanding into a large neighboring space.

The store will begin renovations in July; the new space will allow for “deepening our inventory and expanding our literary, community, and event services to meet the incredible demand of our vibrant, supportive community,” owners Joanna Parzakonis, Derek Molitor, and Nicole Butz said in an e-mail.

Two Sisters Bookery Changes Hands

Wilmington, North Carolina’s Two Sisters Bookery has been purchased by Christine Greer from Barbara Galvin, who has owned the store since 2011, reported Wilmington Biz.

Greer, a hospice nurse, will be moving from Fredericksburg to her condo in North Topsail Beach to oversee the business, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. “I’ll always be a nurse, but this is an exciting new adventure,” she said. Greer added that she is planning a few changes for the store, including scheduling more local author signings and maximizing the store’s social media reach.

Galvin, who is planning to retire and spend time traveling, will stay on at the store for a month to help with the transition; the store’s calico cat, Katie, will continue to be a resident of the store.

From My Shelf Owners to Sell Store Via Contest

From My Shelf Books & Gifts, located in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, is offering bookstore lovers the opportunity to submit an essay by March 31, 2018, for a chance to win ownership of the store.

Kevin and Kasey Coolidge, who opened the store in 2006, have launched a contest that invites participants to submit an entry fee of $75 and a 250-word essay on why bookstores are important to communities. A panel of judges will select a winner out of the top 20 submissions.

If 4,000 entries are received, the funds raised will cover the cost of the inventory, shelves, signage, and six months of rent. If fewer than 4,000 entries are submitted, entry fees will be returned and the Coolidges will retain ownership of the store.

The list of rules and an entry form will be available July 1 on the My Shelf Books & Gifts website.