Oklahoma Bookseller Begins a New Chapter

The Bookseller in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

After 32 years in the same location with the same owner, Ardmore, Oklahoma's The Bookseller is changing hands. Owner E. Lorene Yordi sold The Bookseller to longtime customer and friend, John Ringling North, who takes ownership on December 27. Lois Proctor, who has been on the staff of The Bookseller for the majority of its existence, will continue as the store's manager.

Yordi told BTW, "I've had [the bookstore] for 32 years. Time marches on, and I'm not as young as I used to be." Yordi found it hard to part with the Southern Oklahoma institution, however, she said, "An opportunity presented itself. And when opportunity knocks, you'd better do something about it."

Any hesitancy that Yordi felt about selling was alleviated by the fact that North, whose father was also a customer and friend, was the buyer. In a letter to The Booksellers' patrons, Yordi wrote, "You will receive the continued high quality of service, prompt delivery of special orders, and careful consideration of your purchases." She added, "Mr. North and Lois together will work on expanding the products and services using Lois' years of marketing acumen."

The children's section at The Bookseller.

Proctor, who has managed The Bookseller for the past 25 years, said she started working at the 1,700-square-foot store as a part-timer, while her daughter was in school. "It was one of those part-time, rest-of-your-life jobs," she explained and added that while she was very happy that North decided to buy the bookstore, she is sorry to see Yordi, whom she described as being "like a second mother," leave.

Customers are voicing their relief and happiness that The Bookseller, which serves surrounding counties for a 100-mile radius, will continue, said Proctor.

Proctor and North are considering introducing select used books into the inventory, but neither is looking to change anything dramatically. Proctor said that North's "main concern was that the town still have a bookstore," but, she noted, he was also careful to purchase a "viable business." North requested that Proctor stay on as manager.

John Ringling North is a descendent of the Ringling Brothers of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus fame. He lives in Ireland and visits Ardmore several times a year to tend to his family's business interests in the area. Proctor said that the two will stay in close e-mail contact.

Proctor told BTW that Yordi, who will continue to live in Ardmore, plans to spend part of her retirement visiting family members who are scattered about the country and reading the stacks and stacks of books she has put off for years. "I've told her anything that she reads I want a review of," said Proctor. "She just plans to enjoy. Enjoy and read." --Karen Schechner