Despite several store closings, independent bookstores continue to open in greater numbers. Take B&F Books in West New York, N.J., which now has a physical bookshop. Until now, owner Lawrence Arteaga has sold books online from a nearby warehouse under the Best & Fastest name.
And others are exploring opening new stores, including one in Anchorage, Alaska. Even the country’s oldest bookstore, 270-year-old Moravian Book Shop & Gift Gallery in Bethlehem, Pa., is giving serious consideration to a second location in Allentown.
Openings & Closings
B&F Books Opens in West New York: Short for “best and fastest,” the used bookstore opened in New Jersey in the middle of last month, after being online-only since 2009.
Florida’s Broken Shelves Closing: The two-year-old Gainesville bookstore, bar, art gallery, and music venue is closing not for lack of business but because the owners, both in their 20s, are pursuing other interests.
Granada Books Closes Doors: As reported last week, the store’s precarious finances could have tipped it either way. Unfortunately, a crowdfunding campaign raised less than half the money needed to stay open past the end of this month.
Other News
New Bookstore for Alaska?: Vared Mares, who founded Vared Publishing and Design House four years ago in Anchorage, who like to open a new bookstore with an emphasis on Alaskan authors, The Writer’s Block Bookstore & Cafe. She’s invested $300,000 and launched a GoFundMe campaign for $100,000. www.gofundme.com/pb7nl8
New Owners for Redbery Books: Long-time customers Maureen and Brad Palmer will take over the Cable, Wisc., store when Bev and Bill Bauer retire.
Moravian Bookshop Rumored to Be Adding Store in Allentown: The Bethlehem, Pa., bookstore has no plans to leave Main Street, and declined to confirm rumors that it is in negotiations for a second location.
Detroit Bookstore Fined for Posting Accolades: When John K. King Used & Rare Books was named “one of the world’s coolest bookstores” by CNN and “second best bookstore in the world” by Business Insider, owner John King had banners made. Rather than celebrate, the city fined him and told him that the banners would have to come down from the front of the building.
New Co-owner for E. Shaver, Bookseller: Two years ago Esther Shaver put her bookstore up for sale. Although she didn’t get any takers then, bookseller Jessica Osborne has bought into the Savannah, Ga., business.
The Naked Bookseller: Paul Winter, aka Sweet Pie, has been selling books in the buff in Quartzsite, Ariz., for the past 24 years.
Sarah Bagby to Judge NBA Fiction Prize: The long-time owner of Watermark Books & Café in Wichita and book reviewer for KMUW, an NPR affiliate, has been named one of five judges for the 2015 awards.
Obituary: Scott LePine (1940-2015): Scott LePine, who was responsible for the development and evolution of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association trade show, died on Sunday, March 15, of complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.
