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Maryland Bookstore Creates International Impact

Marlene and Tom England, owners of Curious Iguana in Frederick, Maryland, were featured by This Is Retail, the National Retail Federation’s daily e-newsletter, which cited the couple for their charitable contributions.

Though the owners have helped local schools and charitable nonprofits in the past through the toy store they opened more than a decade ago, they wanted to expand their focus to allow international giving. At the same time, they heard customers expressing a desire for a neighborhood bookstore.

The Englands opened their new bookstore as a benefit corporation this month and began working with Kiva, an organization that allows groups or individuals to lend funds internationally with the ultimate goal of ending poverty. The store’s staff and customers select the recipients of Kiva microfinance loans, which are lent from store proceeds. The owners mark recipients’ locations on a world map behind the counter.

“It seems to resonate with customers that where they shop and what they buy really does make a difference,” the couple wrote. “Whether it’s a fair trade keychain or the latest indie bestseller, whatever our customers purchase at the Iguana has an impact far beyond our little shop on Market Street.”

New Orleans Bookstores Featured in Gambit

New Orleans’ indies –– as well as the literary culture of the city as a whole –– were the focus of a recent article in Gambit.

Maple Street Bookshop, Octavia Books, and Garden District Bookshop are all credited for their ability to adapt to constantly changing forces that challenge their businesses –– from competitors like big-box bookstores and online retailers to Hurricane Katrina, which has had a lasting impact on the city’s economy. The three bookstores are connected to their communities in their own ways, which is critical to both the success of each business and the health of the city’s literary culture, Gambit said.

“I think each of the booksellers is very community-oriented, working to reach out to schools, to businesses and to create a welcoming environment in each of our stores,” said Maple Street owner Gladin Scott. “That’s not what Amazon is there for. The purpose of this place isn’t just to sell books. We’ve been a resource to the community for 50 years. There are not many businesses that can say that.”

Book Bin to Open Second Location

The Book Bin Bookstore in Salem, Oregon, is opening a second location in the former Borders storefront, reported the Statesman Journal.

The new 12,000-square-foot store is tentatively scheduled to open the first week of October, and will include an in-store café.

Literary Book Post Merges with Local Shop

This week, Salisbury, North Carolina’s Literary Book Post will merge with Just The Thing Learning, a parent-teacher store that carries educational toys and games. The educational store will move into the bookstore’s location and its inventory will be featured in the center of the retail space, while the books will be showcased around the perimeter.

Although the businesses will combine operations starting October 1, each will retain its own name for at least a year, the owners told the Salisbury Post.

“Our challenge is not only to have the best books, but the way we thrive and make money is to have sidelines — new and exciting things to complement the bookstore,” said Bill Greene, who owns the bookstore with Gwen Matthews. Just The Thing owner Glenda Dyson will join Greene and Matthews in an equal, three-way partnership.

Acorn Books Celebrates First Anniversary

This month, Dover, Delaware’s Acorn Books is celebrating one year of bookselling. Owners Ginny Jewell and Marie Shane opened last September with the help of community resources funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The store continues to be successful, and the owners take pride in the fact that there is no digital activity in the store whatsoever.

“It’s getting better every month,” Jewell told the News Journal. “We are still getting people through the doors who say they are so glad there is a bookstore in Dover. It’s been amazing.”