Around Indies

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

Madison Street Books is set to open in Chicago, Illinois, next month.

words! bookstore in Asbury Park, New Jersey, will relaunch as a co-op this spring under the name Asbury Book Cooperative.

Cupboard Maker Books in Enola, Pennsylvania, has announced that its holiday pop-up in the Colonial Park Mall is now a permanent location.

Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Massachusetts, has announced a major expansion.

Books of Wonder in New York City will remain at its 18th Street location through February.

Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, Washington, has been sold to children’s author Suzanne Selfors, effective January 30. Owner Suzanne Droppert will continue to operate the Bremerton location under the name Ballast Book Co.

Chevalier’s Books in Los Angeles, California, is celebrating 80 years in business.

In partnership with the Bethlehem Area Public Library, Let’s Play Books! in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, will launch the inaugural Lehigh Valley Book Festival this March.

Denise Chávez, owner of Casa Camino Real Bookstore & Art Gallery in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was featured in an article on her efforts to bring books to migrant families waiting at the border.

American Public Media’s Marketplace featured Zenith Bookstore in Duluth, Minnesota, in an article titled “Indie booksellers innovate to survive the age of Amazon.” Several other news outlets also ran the story.

Brazos Bookstore was named Best Bookstore in Houston, Texas.

In Erie, Pennsylvania, Pressed was named among the Best of Erie winners for 2019.

The Santa Fe New Mexican talked with Dorothy Massey, owner of Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse.

Jeff Martin, co-founder of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Magic City Books, was named Tulsan of the Year.

Rough Draft Bar & Books in Kingston, New York, was featured in an article called “Beer, Board Games, and Books — A New Breed of Indie Bookstore Rises in Hudson Valley.”

Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, New Hampshire, has received good reviews from early patrons.

In Montana, Fact & Fiction and The Book Exchange were featured in an article called “Missoula bookstores reap last-minute rush.”

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Tombolo Books owner Alsace Walentine was featured in an article on her new store.

Downbound Books in Cincinnati, Ohio, was featured in an article called “Northside’s Downbound Books Strives to Recapture the Spirit of Independent Neighborhood Bookstores.”

The Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington will offer expanded literary programming.

Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama, was profiled by BhamNow.com.

Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Missouri, was featured on the KMOV4 Meet St. Louis podcast.

Green Toad Bookstore in Oneonta, New York, talked books on WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

Off the Beaten Path in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, recommended books for SteamboatPilot.com.

Member stores recommended books for Deseret.com.

Boston-area stores Trident Booksellers & Café, Brookline Booksmith, Harvard Book Store, and Porter Square Books recommended 18 books to watch for in 2020.

Paperback Exchange in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was featured on a list of four inexpensive bookstores in the city.

Run for Cover, Mysterious Galaxy, and Book Catapult were included in an article called “From ‘Booksmart’ to San Diego’s indie bookstores, a tribute to the pop-culture gifts of 2019.”

Back of Beyond Books, City Lights, and Tattered Cover Book Store were featured on a list of the best travel moments of 2019.

Share your news in Around Indies! E-mail [email protected] 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.