As bookstores continue to open, one this week in a garage in San Diego, and celebrate major milestones like the 50th anniversary of Sparta Books in Sparta, N.J., others are struggling. The Book Shelf in Winona, Minn., launched both an in-store and online campaign to bring in $65,000, the bulk of it as prepaid house accounts, or gift cards. Owner Chris Livingstone plans to push for additional revenue in other ways, including expanding the store’s publishing program. He will launch Book Shelf Editions to publish literary fiction, poetry, and fine art for the mainstream. He also plans to begin offering self-publishing services.
Events
Virginia Festival of the Book (March 18-22): Billed as “the largest community-based book event in the Mid-Atlantic region,” the Charlottesville festival continues through the weekend with a StoryFest and book swap for children and workshops and author presentations for adults.
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival (March 25-29): Now in its 29th year, this five-day festival features master classes; theater, food and music events; and short fiction, poetry, and one-act play competitions.
Openings & Closings
Lhooq Books Opens in San Diego Garage: After selling books online for the past eight years, Sean Christopher has found a way to expand and keep his overhead low. He has begun selling used books out of a freestanding garage
B&N Closing Gilbert Store: The retailer will close its store at Crossroads Towne Center in Gilbert, Ariz., on March 28. It closed a store in Phoenix last August and another on the Phoenix-Scottsdale border late last year.
Last Days for Sage Bookstore: Unable to sell the Shelton, Wash., store, owner Carolyn Olsen will close it on Sunday.
Hyde Park Books Closing: On its Facebook page the Boise, Idaho, bookstore announced Thursday that “it is with a heavy heart, my family and I have decided to close the book store.”
Other News
Independent Bookstore Day Map Goes Live: In advance of the May 2 celebration, readers can go to an interactive map of the more than 350 bookstores that will be selling the event’s special literary-themed merchandise.
A Used Bookstore Chain Grows in North Carolina: The 26-year-old chain with stores in four cities in the Tar Heel State is about to expand and renovate its Winston-Salem and Raleigh stores.
New Owners for Our Town Books: After buying the Jacksonville bookstore in May 2011, Jim and Sally Nurss have decided to retire. Andy and Jennifer Mitchell will take over on June 1.
March Madness at Half Price Books: Half Price Books is adding its alternative to college basketball spread sheets with a Tournament of Fandoms. Round 2 voting begins today.
Sparta Books Turns 50: Founded in 1965, the Sparta, N.J., bookstore will formally celebrate its first half century later in the year.
Book Shelf in Winona, Minn., Launches Fundraising Campaigns: The 13-year-old bookstore is asking customers to open prepaid house accounts to help it raise $50,000. It hopes to raise an additional $15,000 through its Indiegogo “Save an independent bookstore” campaign launched yesterday.
