Here’s what’s happening in the world of indie bookstores this week:

Bay Books' grand opening

Bay Books [4] in Suttons Bay, Michigan, held a grand opening celebration [5] on Thursday, May 24. Owner Tina Greene-Bevington said the store was blessed by a local pastor with holy water from the River Jordan using a spear of asparagus, in celebration of National Asparagus Day. “We started the day with the blessing and the ribbon cutting, and then cake, cookies, coffee, and iced tea. In the evening, we had a wine and cheese reception with music outdoors. It truly was a wonderful grand opening,” said Greene-Bevington.

Angela S. Shores is planning to open Adventure Bound Books [6] on June 23. The Morganton, North Carolina, bookstore will offer new releases, best sellers, classics, and children’s books, as well as book-related gifts, educational items, and events.

Hooked on Books [7] in Islamorada, Florida, will celebrate its 20th anniversary this July. Celebration plans will be finalized when the store’s snowbird customers return for the season. “We would like all our loyal customers to be able to participate,” said owner Cathy Keller.

WVLT-8 [8] in Knoxville, Tennessee, ran a segment about Union Ave Books [9], which it said is thriving in the digital age.

Erica Luttrell [10], co-manager of Chevalier’s Books [11] in Los Angeles, appears in the second season of HBO TV series Westworld  [12]with roles in two episodes, “Phase Space,” which aired May 27, and “The Passenger,” which will air June 24. Luttrell tweeted  [13]about the episode [14] that premiered in May. A working actor in addition to a bookseller, Luttrell is currently the voice of Sapphire on the Cartoon Network show Steven Universe and recently appeared as Claire Rayburn in 11 episodes of CBS’ apocalypse drama Salvation.

The National Retail Federation [15] talked with Bradley Graham, co-owner with Lissa Muscatine of the Washington, D.C., bookstore Politics and Prose [16], for its Retail Gets Real podcast.

Literary arts nonprofit and bookstore Bookmarks [17] in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has named Teresa Dampier its employee of the quarter [18] for January to March 2018. Dampier is a part-time associate who helps with training, event management, and book clubs. “We’re so happy to have had Teresa with us for many years as a volunteer and now as a very valuable member of our staff,” said Bookmarks Operations Director Jamie Rogers Southern. “Teresa is always smiling and loves to talk about books.”

Share your news in Around Indies! E-mail [email protected] [19] with photos and details of what’s new at your store, whether it’s opening for business, moving to a new location, expanding, changing ownership, hosting a special event, or celebrating a milestone anniversary.