For the first time in the nearly 25-year history of the PW Bookstore of the Year Awards, a children’s only bookstore, Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis, was named one of five finalists.
The shortlist was announced in Wild Rumpus’s hometown during Winter Institute 12, which was held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis from January 27–30.
Children’s books are well represented at the other four finalists, which are general bookstores with strong children’s sections: Avid Bookshop in Athens, Ga.; The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City; Parnassus Books in Nashville; and Prairie Lights in Iowa City.
“The 2017 PW Bookstore of the Year Award shines a light on some of the most creative and energetic bookstores in the business,” said PW executive v-p and publisher Cevin Bryerman. “The awards come at a time when many experienced a strong year despite the tumultuous election.”
The winner of the 2017 PW Bookstore of the Year Award will be named in March and will be featured in the pre-BookExpo edition of Publishers Weekly on May 15. The awards will be presented at the Celebration of Bookselling at BookExpo in New York City.
