Around Indies

Scrawl Books to Open in Virginia

In Reston, Virginia, Rachel Wood is making plans to open Scrawl Books later this year, Reston Now reported.

After attending The Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates’ “Owning a Bookstore” workshop at Winter Institute in February and working with the children’s book buyer at Politics & Prose, Wood is now on the hunt for a small location, likely less than 1,800 square feet, for a cozy, community-oriented bookstore that diverges from the vibe of bookstore chains.

The town of Reston long had a Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, but with the closure of both, Wood, who has a degree in library science and has worked in public libraries for 15 years, saw an opportunity.

“Part of the dream is not just me selling books,” Wood said. She aims to create a welcoming bookstore where residents can buy books and build relationships, but also a store that works with schools and community organizations.

Mystery Lovers Bookshop Welcomes New Owners

Natalie Sacco and her husband, Trevor Thomas, have purchased Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, from Laurie Stephens, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

Sacco and Thomas officially announced the store’s purchase on May 2, coinciding with Independent Bookstore Day and their sixth wedding anniversary.

Few initial changes are planned for the bookstore, though the new owners would like to bring in graphic novels and titles by independent presses and possibly a vinyl records section. They are also looking to overhaul the store’s website and social media presence and will increase the bookstore’s partnership in community events, with book clubs, and with other local businesses.

Provincetown’s Womencrafts Sold

Kathryn Livelli and Michelle Axelson

Michelle Axelson has purchased the Provincetown, Massachusetts, bookshop and crafts store Womencrafts from Kathryn Livelli, the store’s owner for the past 16 years.

“My journey as a woman and as a lesbian has been made easier by institutions like Womencrafts and women like Kathryn Livelli,” said Axelson. “I am inspired by the shop’s history and excited to keep it dynamic and relevant for generations to come.”

Womencrafts is one of Provincetown’s oldest shops and currently promotes the work of more than 100 female artists, crafters, authors, and musicians.

The Book Shop Celebrates 55th Anniversary

Hayward, California’s The Book Shop marked 55 years in business last month, the Pioneer reported. The store celebrated on April 25 with a carrot cake from local business Fink’s Bakery and many congratulations from visiting customers.

Founded by Virginia and Ken MacKenzie in April 1960, the bookstore has made a few moves and welcomed new owners throughout the years. The bookstore has been owned by Carl and Marilyn Baker-Madsen and Alison and Sherman Lewis since 2009.

“We’ve made it through the booms and busts of the industry. I think we have a good many years in us still,” said bookseller Stephanie Foster.

A Room of One’s Own Enters 40th Year

Feminist bookshop A Room of One’s Own is celebrating 40 years in business in Madison, Wisconsin, this year, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

Sandi Torkildson opened the bookstore in January 1975 along with four other graduates of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, who were looking to fill what they considered a void in the city.

“Madison was a hotbed of liberal politics — feminism and gay and lesbian politics — and we just wanted to be part of that,” Torkildson said.

The store has since refocused to offer more general titles but still looks to be a community center and to offer diverse titles on topics of importance to women. “You have to be flexible and able to change with the changing times,” Torkildson said.

Torkildson now runs the bookstore with co-owner Nancy Geary, who has been with the store for 20 years, but Torkildson told the State Journal the two are looking to sell the store and retire in the near future.

Jacobsen’s Marks Five Years

Hillsboro, Oregon’s Jacobsen’s Books & More is marking its fifth year in business. The store, which was founded as a used book store by Tina Jacobsen in May 2010, now carries new books and offers readings, story times, and events for children.

“It’s a hard business to be in; we have so much competition. But I think bookstores are important to build a sense of community,” Jacobsen told the Portland Tribune. “I love this community so I’ve worked really hard to be able to keep the shop here.”

Now, Jacobsen has her eye on increasing the store’s inventory of non-book and gift items and is actively stocking titles by local and independent authors. “I’ve made so many friends supporting independent authors and enjoy their work so much, I want people to know about and appreciate the talent we have in the community,” she said.

Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery Debuts

Co-owners Sally Wizik Wills and Bob Wills announced plans in October to move Sister Wolf Books in Dorset, Minnesota, in with sister store Beagle Books & Bindery in Park Rapids. With the move complete, the two shops will celebrate a grand reopening this month under the name Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Beagle and Wolf will welcome customers in to meet Jill and Deane Johnson, authors of Little Minnesota and The Best of Itasca: A Guide to Minnesota's Oldest State Park (Adventure Publications), to enjoy tours of the bindery, and to take advantage of sales on all items in the store, including some select artwork.

The co-owners purchased Sister Wolf Books in 2004, followed by Beagle Books in 2007. With Bob Wills’ retirement coming this month, the couple decided to combine the two stores and reduce Wizik Wills’ workload.

Illinois’ Afterwords Books Relocates

Owner LuAnn Locke has announced the relocation of Afterwords Books, which will celebrate its grand reopening on May 16, the Edwardsville Intelligencer reported. In February, Locke learned that her landlord intended to sell the bookstore’s building, so she sought a new location for the Edwardsville, Illinois, shop.

“We’ve strived to be a thread in the community. It’s more about having a place for people to gather, for our documentary clubs, book clubs, and children’s story time,” said Locke. “Also, I don’t think there will ever be a time when parents and grandparents are going to read to their children from their e-readers. Picture books are so vital; that tactile experience is so important to a child’s development. We spend so much time chained to technology, reading a real book is a pleasure and escape.”

This weekend’s party will honor the bookstore’s move as well as its sixth birthday. Customers will enjoy treats from local bakeries and festivities including a Kindermusik story time event and a drawing for a $50 gift card.