Around Indies

Word Up to Reopen

Word Up Books, which began as a pop-up store in Washington Heights, New York, signed a lease this week for a space on Amsterdam Avenue at 165th Street, according to the New York Times, which cited the indie for its ability to “make the show go on” despite many obstacles.

Veronica Liu, an acquisitions editor for Seven Stories Press, opened the bookstore in 2011 with the backing of the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance and a small crew of volunteers. The original intention was to provide Upper Manhattan with a month-long literary fair in an empty storefront for a month at no rent. One month quickly turned into five months, as Liu put a “community supported bookstore” model in place.  Word Up held numerous events to raise rent money, but its efforts were brought to a halt when the landlord gave Liu 30 days notice. The store was dismantled, and its inventory put in storage.

The group turned to IndieGoGo, the crowd-funding site, to raise money to fund a new location and more than 800 people contributed $60,000. A reopening has not been scheduled.

Covered Treasures to Celebrate 20 Years

Congratulations to Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument, Colorado, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary on July 17. The store, which is housed in a century-old building, features new and used books, toys, puzzles, bookmarks, and unique cards.

As part of the store’s plans to mark the milestone year, on July 18, Covered Treasures will be hosting Peter Heller, author of The Dog Stars.

Forbes Notes Prairie Lights’ Vitality

Last week, Prairie Lights in Iowa City, was featured by Forbes. The bookstore was praised for being more than the average bookstore, due to its ability to attract internationally known writers.

The store was opened in 1978 by Jim Harris and purchased by poets Jan Weissmiller and Jane Mead in 2008. Weissmiller and Mead continue to take on new ventures to increase revenue, while maintaining the store’s culture.

“I’m 57 and I have to figure out what the future of the store will be,” Weissmiller said. “It feels like an unstable time in bookselling but also an opportunity.  Jane and I want to make changes that both stabilize the business and create continuity.”