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Printer-friendly versionAnderson’s Co-owner Hosts Campaign Event for Sen. Durbin
Becky Anderson, co-owner of Anderson’s Bookshops in Naperville and Downers Grove, Illinois, welcomed more than 120 people to her home on Wednesday evening, October 8, in support of Sen. Dick Durbin’s campaign.
A former bookseller himself, Durbin, the U.S. Senate assistant majority leader, has been one of independent bookselling’s most steadfast champions, said Anderson, who was pleased to welcome the enthusiastic crowd into her home. “We want to express our enormous appreciation for his help, both on sales equity as well as privacy issues,” Anderson said.
Quail Ridge Honors Founder at 30th Anniversary Party
On Sunday, October 5, Raleigh, North Carolina’s Quail Ridge Books & Music celebrated its 30th anniversary with a tribute to store founder Nancy Olson, North Raleigh News reported. Authors Charles Frazier, Allan Gurganus, Jill McCorkle, Margaret Maron, Clyde Edgerton, Angela Davis-Gardner, and Randall Keenan were on hand for Sunday’s celebration.
Olson founded the store in 1984 in a 1,900-square-foot retail space at the Quail Corners Shopping Center. “From the beginning, she knew that authors were key,” said Rene Martin, Quail Ridge’s events coordinator. “That was one of her main principles, to bring authors and readers together.”
Last year, Olson sold the store to Lisa Poole, who said the store’s staff has been critical to its continued success. “Because of their experience, professionalism, and dedication and love of books, Quail Ridge Books runs like a well-oiled machine. I’m very fortunate,” she said.
ABA CEO Oren Teicher attended the celebration and presented the store with an “Eat. Sleep. Read. Local.” IndieBound banner.
Greenlight Bookstore to Celebrate Five Years
On Saturday, October 18, Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, New York, will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a day of festivities, including author events for children and adults, refreshments, and special offers.
Founded by co-owners Rebecca Fitting and Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, the store’s yearly sales have more than doubled, the staff has grown from seven to 18 booksellers, it has established kiosks at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and it launched the monthly podcast The Greenlight Bookstore Radio Hour, among other notable achievements.
“As we come up on the fifth anniversary of our bookstore, we’ve been reflecting on the philosophy of what it means to be part of the fabric of a community,” said Fitting. “For those of you who define us as part of your community, we are overwhelmingly honored. As we set forth toward our next five years, we recommit ourselves to bringing you programs, events and communal space. And we are honored to continue to be your neighbor, your friend, and foremost, your bookseller.”
Mrs. Dalloway’s Marks a Decade in Business
In Berkeley, California, Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary and Garden Arts was recognized by the Contra Costa Times for its resilience as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. A celebration on October 18 and 19 will offer customers book discounts, free flowers, and limited-edition letterpress broadsides featuring a quote from Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf.
Since owners Marion Abbott and Ann Leyhe opened the store in 2004, it has grown in size and in stock.
“Marion’s brilliance has many layers, but among them is an enthusiasm for finding exactly the right book for someone,” Leyhe said. “She’s great in the business world: she knows how the book world works.”
Abbott noted, “Ann has a beautiful, acute eye. She’s responsible for how inviting the store is and people come here for her gardening advice, not just for books.”
The Reading Bug Turns Five
The Reading Bug is marking five years of serving the San Carlos, California, community this month and will be celebrating in November with an event featuring raffles, special gifts, and activities for kids.
The family-owned store carries books for children from birth through age 12, as well as a selection of titles for teens and adults and gift items. It also hosts an eclectic mix of events.
“Our store is designed to look like a 3D pop-up book complete with giant trees and a spotted ladybug path,” said owner Lauren Savage. “We created a community space that is not only for author events but also fitness classes, birthday parties, music classes, craft times and daily story-times. The idea was not only to create a bookstore but a destination store for families.”
Burton’s Bookstore Welcomes New Owner
In Greenport, New York, Burton’s Bookstore owner George Maaiki has sold the business to Scott Raulsome, who has promised that the shop “will remain a bookstore — 100 percent,” reported Southold Local. Raulsome grew up on Long Island and spent nine years in administration at Hofstra University.
Burton’s Bookstore will keep its name, and Raulsome has purchased its contents and will rent the building from Maaiki. Raulsome’s goal is to bring his own vision to the bookstore, and he has started by giving the store a makeover and facelift. He plans to implement programs, events, and author signings. “I want to keep the small-town charm, but also make it unique,” he said.
After owning the bookstore for 26 years, Maiiki is happy to see a new face at the helm. “I think it needs new blood,” he said. “When I came in, I was young, in my 20s. I brought new ideas. I’m 52; I’m done. Now it’s a new generation. We need someone young to come in.” Maiiki’s initial plans for retirement include pursuing work in Arabic translations and simply enjoying his newly found free time.
[words] Bookstore Window Display Supports Authors United
In Maplewood, New Jersey, [words] Bookstore is showing its support for Authors United with a window display of books by the authors who have joined the group, reported the Village Green. In recent weeks, the group of authors has called on Amazon to end its months-long dispute with publisher Hachette Book Group.
Store owner Jonah Zimiles said, “We are grateful that so many courageous authors have signed on to Authors United... We also appreciate in particular that many of the members of Authors United have appeared in Maplewood at our bookstore!”
In July, [words] created a “Don’t Tread on Me” window display that featured Hachette titles. Zimiles noted that the store does a display each year that celebrates the community’s independent spirit, with that particular one supporting the many Hachette authors caught in the fray. “We wish to support these authors who are losing sales because of the strong-arming tactics being used against the Hachette Book Group,” Zimiles wrote in an op-ed for the Village Green.
Third Street Books Prepares for Grand Reopening
On Friday, October 10, Third Street Books in McMinnville, Oregon, will welcome the community through the doors of its new location for a grand reopening celebration featuring “bubbles, giveaways, and general good cheer,” the store announced.
With the help of a book brigade, which moved all of the store’s books in just two hours, Third Street Books relocated to two doors down the street. A sale will be held at the previous location on Saturday, October 11, to clear out any remaining items.
Porter Square Books Shares 12 Awkward Bookseller Moments
Porter Square Books recently posted a list of 12 Awkward Bookseller Moments on Buzzfeed. The fun post begins, “Being a bookseller is a pretty fantastic job, but booksellers are humans and humans can be very, very awkward. Therefore, booksellers can be very, very awkward. Here are 12 Awkward Bookseller Moments.” Check them out.