Around Indies

Naperville Hosts Holiday Hunt

IndieBound Naperville’s holiday event and scavenger hunt will once again feature Dr. Seuss’ the Grinch, who will be visiting several of the town’s indie stores throughout December, reported Naperville Patch. The event, “Grow Your Heart Three Sizes,” is spearheaded by Anderson’s Bookshops, which received permission from the Seuss estate for the event.

“What could be more fun than finding the Grinch, but finding him at local independent businesses in your community,” said bookstore owner Becky Anderson. “Grow Your Heart Three Sizes celebrates the uniqueness, fun and strength of community.”

Consumers who collect cards in 16 or more businesses and turn them in at Anderson’s will win a candy cane and an entry into a drawing for larger prizes, including Dr. Seuss-related books and toys, at a Grinch party at the bookshop on December 28.

Book World to Open in Mequon

Book World Inc., based in Appleton, Wisconsin, is slated to open a new location this week in Mequon, reported the Milwaukee Business Journal. The area was home to a Harry W. Schwartz Books, which closed in 2009, and Next Chapter Bookshop, which closed in 2012.

Book World, which has 48 other stores in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, was attracted to Mequon because it has shown it can support a bookstore, said Antoine Tines, the company’s vice president of retail operations.

Mrs. Figs Marks 40 Years

Next Saturday, December 7, Mrs. Figs’ Bookworm in Camarillo, California, will celebrate 40 years in business, according to the Camarillo Acorn. The store run by Connie and Steve Halpern and family has been a Camarillo tradition since 1973.

The 40^th anniversary celebration will feature food, crafts for children, and visits and signings by authors Drew Daywalt, Woody Woodburn, and Marylyn LaGrone-Amaral.

Galaxy Bookshop Turns 25

On December 1, Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick, Vermont, is celebrating its 25^th anniversary with a customer appreciation sale, cake, prizes, and a few special guests.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by bringing in a few of the authors whose books and friendship have been a part of The Galaxy over the past 25 years,” the store announced in its newsletter to customers. To that end, Galaxy will be hosting David Budbill, Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, and Howard Frank Mosher, who will join the bookstore’s staff for the day as guest booksellers.

The store, which is owned by Linda Ramsdell, is also inviting customers to share memories and stories via e-mail about The Galaxy Bookshop’s role in their lives throughout the years.

Open Door Slated to Be Sold

Schenectady, New York’s Open Door Bookstore will soon be sold to a group of investors within the community, reported the Times Union.

Though more details will be available after the busy shopping week surrounding Thanksgiving, Open Door owner Janet Hutchison confirmed that the store will be purchased by a community consortium, and there will be a transition period during which Janet and her husband, John, will remain on in an advisory capacity.

The 3,000-square-foot bookstore and adjoining gift shop has been a fixture in the community for more than 40 years. Hutchison announced her plans to retire and sell the store more than a year ago.

St. Mark’s Announces Fundraiser

This week, St. Mark’s Bookshop in New York City announced plans to raise funds to offset the cost of moving to a more affordable location, reported CBS Local. The new space is located a few blocks southeast of St. Mark’s current location and is about half the size of its 1,300 square feet.

On December 5, the bookstore will host an auction of signed first editions by writers such as Anne Carson, Lydia Davis, and Paul Auster in the store and online.

Food for Thought Launches Indiegogo Campaign

Food for Thought Books Collective in Amherst, Massachusetts, recently launched in Indiegogo campaign to keep the store going, and in less than two weeks has raised more than $8,000 of its $38,000 goal, the Daily Collegian reported. Two former volunteers at the bookstore have agreed to double the next $5,000 in donations that are made in $50 increments or more.

Donations would be directed toward rent while the store is closed to transition to a smaller space, as well as to necessary reconstruction materials, new books, and maintaining debt payments that incurred due to a decrease of textbook sales in recent years.