Around Indies

Grand Rapids to Welcome Books & Mortar

This summer, entrepreneurs Christopher Roe and Jonathan Shotwell will open Books & Mortar in Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to Michipreneur. Roe and Shotwell attended the Northwestern University’s Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and are both ordained ministers working in Chicago.

The bookstore aims to be community-minded with a focus on promoting a literary culture, offering socially conscious titles, and providing a space for open dialogue. It will feature an array of titles, including a large section for children’s and young adult books, as well as used books and artwork by local artists.

“We think what we have to offer is something people are craving — a friendly, neighborhood spot which will include a coffee shop … a full and carefully curated selection of books, and a casual atmosphere. The location we are looking at also has a large outdoor space, and we hope this will be an attraction during the warmer months,” said Roe.

At a recent Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association event, “we learned that while Amazon is impacting big box stores’ sales, it has less of an impact on independent bookstores,” Shotwell said. “People still want the bookstore experience, the feeling that they are a part of the city, the neighborhood, and the patrons and staff of the bookstore. That’s what we will provide.”

Dog Eared Books to Open Second Store

Dog Eared Books, which has operated in San Francisco’s Mission District since 1992, will open a new location in May in the Castro District, in the former storefront of the LGBT bookstore A Different Light. An opening event gala will be held on June 20, the store announced on Facebook.

The satellite location will sell new, used, and discount books, including plenty of LGBTQIA titles and books from locally based writers, as well as stationery, posters, cards, and maps. The events calendar will feature book groups, author readings, book release parties, and other events.

“The Castro is one of the few neighborhoods in America you can honestly call both trend-setting and uniquely historical. As such it deserves not just a good book shop, but a great book shop,” said proprietor Kate Rosenberger. “We plan to work very hard to see the Castro gets what it deserves.”

New Location, Business Model for BookSmart

Morgan Hill, California’s BookSmart is planning to move after 21 years in its downtown location as a redevelopment project forces the store out of its space.

“We spent many months mourning the loss of our current home, but we are very excited to announce we have found a new home,” said Brad Jones, who co-owns the store with Cinda Meister, his wife.

The new location is a mile outside of downtown, in “a beautiful building with a great landlord and many fine businesses all around. We are very lucky to have found such a wonderful site,” Jones added. The store should open in the new space in June.

“We have some heavy lifting to do to raise the funds it will take to relocate, but in the end it will be worth it,” Meister said. The owners are looking to raise $75,000 via an Indiegogo campaign to help with the cost of remodeling, moving, and redoing the store’s inventory.

BookSmart is also adopting a new business model similar to the hybrid model of Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park, California. The formation of the BookSmart Community Advantage nonprofit is aimed at helping the store to expand its community building and literary education programs without jeopardizing its retail business.

Once Upon a Storybook to Celebrate Chapter Two

Tustin, California’s Once Upon a Storybook, which was expected to close this year, will continue to operate thanks to the investment of local attorney Erin Moriarty, the Orange County Register reported.

“It’s such an enchanting place,” said Moriarty, who is friends with the bookstore’s assistant manager, Tina Pomroy. “When you see the reactions of children and the joy on their faces when they walk in, you realize it’s something worth saving.”

Owner Susie Alexander, who opened the store in October 2014, is planning a “Chapter Two” celebration on April 23, an event that will feature authors and illustrators, costumed characters, music, and refreshments.

“I was absolutely shocked that someone could come in and meet our financial needs,” said Alexander. “We had so many customers asking how they could help, but I didn’t really expect anyone to come forward.”

Kirkus Showcases Green Apple Books

Earlier this month, Kirkus Reviews featured San Francisco’s Green Apple Books as part of its regular Shelf Space column. Pete Mulvihill, Green Apple co-owner with Kevin Hunsanger and Kevin Ryan, shared some thoughts about the store, including his favorite events, his top hand-sells, and his ideal busman’s holiday, among other topics.

“Green Apple is a rambling maze of a store with many levels and nooks and crannies packed with new and used books in all subject areas. It has that bookstore smell. Give yourself plenty of time, and let yourself get lost,” Mulvihill explained for those who haven’t visited the store.

Among Mulvihill’s favorite store events is California Bookstore Day 2014, which he said was “the most fun-filled event in my 22 years at Green Apple: the long line at the door before opening, the kids making stories with 826 Valencia, Dave Eggers giving relationship advice, free beer, live music, unique books, fantastic authors like Mary Roach and Novella Carpenter. Just a full-blown celebration of all things bookish.”

Read the full interview on Kirkus Reviews.