Based on the number of indie booksellers planning to expand in the coming year, it’s clear that 2014 has been a strong year for sales. Earlier this week Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill., announced that it would open its third Chicagoland bookstore in a 6,500 sq. ft. location in La Grange.
Since then Boston-area regional chain HugoBooks has disclosed plans for a store in Beverly, Mass., its fourth. Like its Newburyport location, the new Cabot Street Books & Cards will be located next to an Atomic Cafe. Third Place Books will open its third Seattle-area bookstore. The bookstore’s footprint will be about 3,500 sq. ft., with an additional 3,700 sq. ft. for a restaurant and events space. And The Booksellers will add a second Ohio location, this one in Dayton, at Christmastime next year.
Openings & Closings
Fourth Store for HugoBooks: The Massachusetts bookseller will open a 1,200 sq. ft. store in Beverly, Mass., Cabot Street Books & Cards, in June.
Third Place Books Adds Third Location: Late next year, the Seattle-area bookseller plans to open a new bookstore and restaurant mix on the underserved Southside of town.
Booksellers to Open Second Location: In September, The Booksellers, owned by former Joseph-Beth founder Neil Van Uum will open a 12,000 sq. ft. bookstore and cafe in Dayton, its second in Ohio.
New Store at Drakes Beach: Point Reyes National Seashore Association in California is opening its third bookstore; this one will be in a former cafe.
Other News
New Owner for Viroqua, Wisc., Bookstore: Bramble Bookstore’s new owner, Cheryl Allen, is expanding merchandise lines and making plans for new book clubs at the nearly 20 year-old store.
Buyer Found for Downtown Books: A surprise offer earlier this week is keeping the only bookstore in Craig, Colo., open; it was to have closed on January 15.
Taylor Books Adds Used Books Section: The Charleston, W. Va., bookstore is turning its back room into a used bookstore, something that’s been missing from the community since 2001.
A Children’s Place Bookstore to Move: After losing its lease, the 40-year-old Portland, Ore., children’s specialty store is moving to a slightly smaller, 1,300 sq. ft., location in the mid-February.
Former College Bookstore Manager Pleads Guilty to Theft: In an elaborate scheme, a former bookstore employee at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, created a fake book wholesaling company to steal $302,177 from the school.
