Around Indies

La Grange Welcomes New Anderson’s Bookshop Branch

Anderson’s Bookshop held a festive grand opening celebration for its new branch location in La Grange, Illinois, on August 1, the Chicago Tribune reported. The family-owned business also has bookstores in Naperville and Downers Grove, as well as a gift shop in Naperville and a school book fair division.

Saturday’s celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring costumed characters Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George, and the Cat in the Hat, plus champagne toasts, giveaways, and prizes. “We have been looking for a space, and it’s great to be here in La Grange,” said co-owner Becky Anderson.

A crowdfunding campaign conducted earlier this year contributed partial funding for the opening of the new, 6,500-square-foot store, which carries bestsellers, children’s books, games, puzzles, stationery, and more.

M. Judson Opens its Doors

Greenville, South Carolina’s M. Judson Booksellers & Storytellers — a bookstore three years in the making — opened its doors on July 29, reported Greenville News. The new shop is owned by Tricia Lightweis, former owner of The Booksmith in Seneca, South Carolina; June Wilcox, a local entrepreneur; Samantha Wallace, publisher of edible Upcountry magazine; and Ashley Warlick, a Greenville author and editor of edible Upcountry.

As planning continued, the store’s opening date kept having to be pushed back, and Wallace explained to the newspaper that it was simply time to jump in. “We’re easing into it, and it’s good because there are so many things we’re figuring out. We didn’t know what to expect. We’re just delighted people are coming in,” she said.

The bookstore’s inventory features a mix of local and regional authors, bestsellers, culinary literature, and children’s books, as well as a café and bar. The owners are currently working on outfitting a community room for meetings, book clubs, and classes.

Already, the bookstore has become an after-dinner gathering space for those strolling down Main Street, said Wallace. “We’re a natural place to come to. We’ve been pleased with these first days, but it’s definitely a long road ahead,” she noted.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration is planned for the weekend of August 14.

BookBar’s Happier Hour in the Spotlight

Last week, Denver Westword praised BookBar for its Thursday “Happier Hour” events, which allow parents to imbibe half-priced wines while their children enjoy half-priced meals and a story time. “Happier Hour has become something of a community staple,” said the store’s Marketing Coordinator Lauren White.

Located in the arts district of Denver, Colorado, BookBar opened in the summer of 2013 with Happier Hour as one of its initial offerings. The program draws about 15 children each week, ranging in age from infants to school-age. The menu offers peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and mini pizzas, which include fresh fruit and cookies.

Local authors are a big draw at Happier Hour and are featured at least once a month. “When we aren’t hosting a local author, we read books that we find to be engaging and fun, as our staff always tries to make these story times interactive,” said White.