Around Indies

Liberty Bay Launches Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Liberty Bay Books is planning to open a 750-square-foot holiday pop-up shop this weekend in Bremerton, Washington, a city of 40,000 residents near the bookstore’s hometown of Poulsbo, the Kitsap Sun reported.

The pop-up shop will open October 31 and will remain in operation through November and December. It will offer new books, cards, and games, as well as options for special orders. The location is next door to a café and on a street with restaurants, retailers, and art galleries.

Owner Suzanne Droppert said she will consider opening a permanent bookstore in downtown Bremerton if the pop-up shop is successful. “We’ll see if the readers of Bremerton want a bookstore,” Droppert said.

DDG Booksellers Honored for Literacy Efforts

Kenny Brechner, owner of Devaney, Doak and Garrett Booksellers in Farmington Maine, has received the Business Friend of Education Award from the Maine School Boards Association (MSBA). He was honored at a ceremony at the association’s Annual Fall Conference in Augusta on Friday, October 23.

“For the past 13 years, Mr. Brechner has been instrumental in the success of the Community Read literacy program at Messalonskee Middle School,” said MSBA President Becky Fles. “He suggests book titles; makes the books available at extremely low costs; and, somehow, convinces the authors to donate their time to speak to students, either through in-person visits to the school or over Skype.”

“He also writes a digital newsletter that connects books in all content areas to the Common Core standards and facilitates book clubs for adults and children in his bookstore and in local schools in the Farmington area,” Fles said.

Brechner and DDG Booksellers were nominated by the school board of Oakland, Maine’s Regional School Unit 18.

Mulberry Bush Celebrates 40th Anniversary

On Saturday, October 24, Mulberry Bush Book Store celebrated 40 years in business on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, with the past 26 years under the ownership of Tom and Barbara Pope, the Parksville Qualicum Beach News reported.

The bookstore’s original location, opened by Enid Perry, is in downtown Qualicum Beach, and the Popes opened a second store in nearby Parksville in 1992. It has twice been named Business of the Year by the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce, and Tom Pope was honored with the chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year.

“Over the years, some folks have come in and said it’s the end of books. But readership across Canada is up. And our market share is up,” said Tom Pope. “One of the big things for us is people locally recognize the benefit of supporting a community business. Our customers are very loyal.”

Saturday’s celebration featured live music, cake, coffee, balloons, half-hourly book giveaways, and three $40 gift certificate drawings.

“It’s kind of an emotional day, in a way,” said Barbara Pope. “We know we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our wonderful customers. To have them coming in like this and offering their congratulations and well-wishes, it’s very gratifying.”

The Bookshelf Marks 40 Years

Cincinnati, Ohio’s The Bookshelf celebrated its 40th anniversary on October 24 with an all-day event. The Bookshelf, which was founded by Anne Harrison, Blair Garvey, and Gen Rosenkrantz, is currently owned by Jacque Gentile, Jenny Magro, Betsy Schram, and Chris Weber.

Five local authors were at the bookstore’s birthday party to greet customers and sign books: Will Hillenbrand, Leah Stewart, Shannan Carter, Ken Williamson, and Louise Borden. Other festivities included a quiz bowl competition, refreshments, and prizes.