Strand Celebrates 85 Years

On Wednesday, May 20, Strand Book Store [4] in New York City, marked its 85^th anniversary with an in-store celebration. Prizes were given away and cake and champagne was served. In attendance were Bravo’s Andy Cohen, artist Maria Kalman, journalist Pete Hamill, writer Amy Walman, and The New Yorker’s Adam Gopnik.

Strand was opened in 1927 by Ben Bass. It is now owned by Bass’ son, Fred Bass, and granddaughter, Nancy Bass Wyden.

Books on the Square to Mark 20^th Anniversary

Books on the Square [5] in Providence, Rhode Island, will celebrate its 20th birthday on Saturday, June 16. Festivities include a comedy/magic show, kids’ activities, raffles, stories, and trivia contests and a presentation of “hot” summer reads for adults. Customers will receive a 20 percent discount all weekend and 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Reach Out and Read Rhode Island.

The store, which opened its doors in June 1992, was purchased by Merc and Rod Clifton in 2007.

Journeys of Life Reopens

This month, Journeys of Life [6] reopened in its previous Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, location after a damaging fire in November. For the past six months, the store has been operating in a temporary space, which was further from the center of the city.

The newly reopened store features an expanded inventory, including more locally made jewelry and gifts, as well as books by local authors.

R.J. Julia Search for New Owner Continues

Since sending out an e-mail in February announcing her plans to sell Madison, Connecticut’s R.J. Julia Booksellers [7], Roxanne Coady has received inquiries, but the candidates either lack experience or the necessary financial backing.

“Clearly it’s an objective for this to stay a bookstore,” Coady told Madison Patch [8]. “No question about it. I won’ t stop until I find someone who can run it as a bookstore. And I don’t have a deadline.”

While Coady searches, she and her staff continue to make changes to the store, including the addition of magazines to their inventory, and plans for a print-on-demand option.