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Printer-friendly versionPortland, Maine, to Welcome Print: A Bookstore
This fall, Emily Russo and Josh Christie will open Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Maine. “A thriving literary community has always been a big part of Portland’s identity,” said Russo. “As Portland continues to grow, we’re excited to add what we know and love about books to this great literary town.”
Russo, the daughter of author Richard Russo, previously served as the events director at The Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and manager of the First Editions Club at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.
Christie is a former manager and buyer for Sherman’s Maine Coast Booksellers and a former board member of the New England Independent Booksellers Association.
The 2,000-square-foot bookstore will offer both adult and children’s books, and an author series will feature Richard Russo interviewing first-time authors. “Our aim is to welcome readers and writers in Portland by carrying an interesting and diverse selection of books,” said Russo, “and by hosting known and debut writers in our store and at other local venues.”
Talking Leaves Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Buffalo, New York’s Talking Leaves Books is marking 15 years in business for its Elmwood Village branch on Saturday, July 9, reported Artvoice. Jonathon Welch co-founded the main store, near the University of Buffalo on Main Street, in 1975 with a group of university students and professors.
The Elmwood Village store was opened in 2001 with the encouragement of area residents and is overseen by store manager Lucy Kogler and assistant manager Alicia Michielli. The July 9 celebration will feature a 15 percent storewide discount, live music, raffles, drawings, and children’s craft activities.
Welch acknowledged that Talking Leaves has seen challenges over the years, but it has stayed true to its goal: “to represent the voices of people that traditionally were not heard in regular publishing or were buried. We wanted to create a place where people could talk about these things.”
He credits much of the store’s success to its inventory, which features an array of books and genres to appeal to many different interests. “Because of the way we were founded and because of the kind of community connections that we’ve always had, we’ve always had a very loyal customer base,” said Welch.
Mystery Loves Company Marks 25 Years
On July 4, Mystery Loves Company in Oxford, Maryland, celebrated its 25th year in business. The bookstore was founded in Baltimore in 1991 by Kathy Harig and the late Sue Feder and moved to Oxford in 2006.
“When we moved to Oxford, I decided to encompass all of literature for all ages to reflect the local authors, artists, flora and fauna, and history of the town, which was founded in the 1600s,” said Harig.
For its anniversary on July 4, Mystery Loves Company hosted Dr. Fran White, author of Nicki Nice’s Bully (Tate Publishing), a picture book about bullying.
“Sales were awesome,” said Harig. “Hundreds came to celebrate and buy books and watch the fireworks in Oxford.”
Quail Ridge Books Plans for Grand Reopening
Quail Ridge Books & Music will close from approximately July 7–17 to complete the move to its new home in the North Hills Shopping Center. The Raleigh, North Carolina, bookstore announced its plans to relocate last fall.
Since March, Quail Ridge has been operating out of a temporary location, Quail Ridge Books on the Fly, in its new plaza, about five miles away from its longtime spot at the Ridgewood Shopping Center.
The official opening date for Quail Ridge’s new storefront is yet to be determined, but an author event with Elizabeth George is set for July 18. A grand opening weekend is planned for July 23–24.
Branches Books & Gifts on the Move
Oakhurst, California’s Branches Books & Gifts is moving from the Junction Plaza Center to the Vons Shopping Center, located just half a mile away, on September 1.
The move will provide the store with a bigger space — 1,500 square feet — that will allow for an expanded selection of books, educational toys, and more. The bookstore, which opened in 2013, has been growing rapidly, and now more space is needed for popular genres, including history, religion, and mysteries.
“It’s going to be really gorgeous and amazing by the time we get done with it,” said owner Anne Driscoll. “The new space is going to be a great fit, with double the square footage and room for more shelves.”
Brookline Booksmith Named Boston’s Best Bookstore
The Improper Bostonian magazine has named Brookline Booksmith, located in Brookline, Massachusetts, Boston’s Best Bookstore for 2016.
Founded as Paperback Booksmith in 1961 by Marshall J. Smith, the bookstore was recognized for its book clubs, interesting inventory, robust children’s section, and more.
“The knowledgeable staffers here hand-write literary recommendations that adorn the bookshelves, and the visiting author series is bursting with talent,” said Improper Bostonian. “A carefully curated gifts section and a basement chock-full of used titles firmly close the book on the e-reader debate.”