As indie bookstores get ready to celebrate Saturday’s Independent Bookstore Day—and Authors for Indies Day north of the border in Canada—booksellers in San Francisco, where IBD got its start, are beginning to feel the impact of Proposition J. Approved last November, the proposition requires the Bay Area’s minimum wage to rise to $15 in 2018. Today the first incremental hike goes into effect as minimum wages rise to $12.25 an hour. Comix Experience and its sister store, Comix Experience Outpost, are trying to grow their business to meet the challenge by inaugurating a Graphic Novel of the Month Club.
Events
Independent Bookstore Day and Canada’s Authors for Indies Day (May 2): Independent bookstores will be celebrating the printed book on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border on Saturday.
The Muse and the Marketplace (May 1-3) in Boston: This three-day conference, part inspiration and part education, is produced by GrubStreet, one of the country’s leading creative writing centers.
Hudson Children’s Book Festival (May 2) in Hudson, N.Y.:More than 75 authors and illustrators will take part in the 7th annual festival on Saturday. Every attendee will receive a free book.
Openings & Closings
Sound Cafe to Re-Open in NOLA: After closing last July, the used bookstore/coffee shop will reopen later this year in a 700 sq. ft. space.
The Bookstore & Handmade Marketplace to Open in June: Berea, Ohio, is getting a new bookstore to replace the Book & Bean, which closed in 2009. In addition to books, the new store will feature work by local artists.
Griffin Bookshop & Coffee Bar to Close in Fredericksburg: After eight years, owner Eileen Boyd is liquidating the store in order to retire.
Phoenix Used & Rare Books Closing: The 30-year-old bookstore in Freeville, N.Y., bookstore has begun letting its inventory dwindle and will close its doors in the next few months.
BAM Closed in Williamsburg, Va.: The Books-A-Million on Richmond Road closed with little fanfare earlier this week. The nation’s number two bookstore chain will close its Montgomery, Ala., store in the Woodmere shopping center on May 9.
Other News
Minimum-Wage Hike Impacts Comics Shop: Brian Hibbs, owner of Comix Experience and its sister store, Comix Experience Outpost, estimates that he will need to bring in $80,000 more in revenue annually when SF’s minimum wage hits $15 in 2018.
Bookworks Celebrates Its First 30 Years: The Albuquerque, N.M., bookstore is combining two big events this Saturday, its 30th anniversary and the first Independent Bookstore Day.
Hayward’s Only Bookstore Turns 55The Book Shop in East Bay has survived booms and busts and a change in ownership in 2009.
Montana Bookstore Thrives Under New Owner: Since purchasing Paperback Jungle in Great Falls, Mont., over the winter, new owner Andrew Guschausky continues to make changes, including the new name: Cassiopeia Books.
Bookworm’s Expands Its Digs: Earlier this week, the 41-year-old new and used bookstore in Kennewick, Wash., re-opened in a significantly larger space that’s more than twice the size of its original 2,600 sq. ft. store.
Auburn’s J&M Bookstore Over 135 Years Old: This Alabama bookstore, originally known as Burton’s, has served students since 1879.
