Around Indies

Boston Globe Reports Growing Bookstore Appeal

In a recent Boston Globe feature, Beth Teitell writes, “Despite the indie bookstore’s image as an endangered species, or perhaps because of it, owning one has become the modern retirement — or midlife escape — fantasy.”

This rings true in Boston especially, the article continues, citing the recent purchases of three area bookstores by retired or transitioned customers whose passion for the businesses moved them to action.

Featured in the article are Jeff Mayersohn, a retired tech executive, who bought Harvard Book Store in 2008 and who keeps it competitive by introducing innovations, such as same-day deliveries by bicycle and print-on-demand paperback books; Gillian Kohli, a former litigator, who purchased the Wellesley Booksmith with her husband, Bill, and renamed it Wellesley Books; and Tom Lyons, an insurance-industry consultant, who stepped in to save the New England Mobile Book Fair in Newton, one of the region’s largest bookstores.

The Strand Partners With Club Monaco

On Monday, Club Monaco is set to open a flagship store in the Flatiron district of Manhattan, reported the New York Times, and alongside high-end fashion offerings, the store will feature a bookstore operated by The Strand and an outpost of Toby’s Estate Coffee, which is based in Brooklyn.

“We wanted to create a space where you don’t just come to buy a sweater, but are getting an education on art and culture,” said Allison Greenberg, Club Monaco’s director of marketing and communications. “You can have a cup of coffee or sit in the library and read a great book that is relevant to the Flatiron district.”

Harborwalk Finds Temporary Space

Georgetown, South Carolina’s Harborwalk Books, which was destroyed in a fire last month, has found a temporary new location. Owner Ann Carlson will be partnering with Michele Overton and Lauren Call to help revive the business in a space close to its old location.

On the store’s Facebook page, Carlson announced early this month, “We will be open for business with limited space as soon as possible and will be moving back into the original store site as soon as it is rebuilt. We know the owner of the building is anxious to move forward.”

Kepler’s to Hold State-of-the-Union Gathering

This week, Kepler’s in Menlo Park, California, announced that it will hold its first annual state-of-the-union gathering to update the local community on progress made toward creating a sustainable bookstore of the future.

“We’re pleased to be able to report significant progress toward our goals for the new Kepler’s and the nonprofit Arts & Lectures Series,” said Praveen Madan, chief executive officer of Kepler’s. “Because of the extraordinary support we’ve received from the community, we want to continue to keep everyone apprised of and engaged with our ongoing efforts. We also want to be able to answer questions from members of the community, and this open event is the perfect venue to do so.”

Flyleaf to Contribute Regular Newspaper Column

Flyleaf Books, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was recently invited by the area’s local newspaper, Chapel Hill News, to contribute a regular column. The first column was published Monday by owner Jamie Fiocco, who focused on the store’s “business of relationships.”

“While national trends might skew towards bargain-basement prices and mega-malls, folks around here seem especially aware that where they spend their money shapes their community,” wrote Fiocco. “That’s why our favorite local businesses have been around for so long, and that’s how we’ll make it to our fourth birthday in November.”

Chapel Hill News will also feature Flyleaf’s event listings.

Avid Stars in Commercial

Janet Geddis, owner of Avid Bookshop, is the focus of a new commercial for her local bank.

Janet Geddis and her store, Avid Bookshop, in Athens, Georgia, are the stars of a new TV commercial for the area’s local bank, First American Bank & Trust.

The bookstore announced the news on its Facebook page, adding, “We love our local bank and are proud to do business with them.”

Barbara’s Bookstore to Return to Boston Station

The Chicago-based Barbara’s Bookstore, which had a location in Boston’s South Station’s for nearly 20 years until its closure last spring, will return to the terminal in a 300-square-foot space.

“South Station will soon offer patrons a full service atmosphere providing everything from coffee, an airport style bar, a CVS/pharmacy and the return of its beloved bookstore,” Britton Derkac, director of leasing at Equity Office, told the Boston Herald.