Amazon opened its second campus store this week, while several stores reinvented themselves. Books on Broadway in Costa Mesa got an infusion of cash and a new co-owner, who will move the store to a location that’s half the size. Weirton Book Company in Weirton, W.Va., added a significant number of sidelines and celebrated its new look with a grand reopening. And Babbitt’s Books in Normal, Ill., found a new owner just as it was about to close.
Events
BEA 2015: BookExpo America is back at the Javits Center in New York City from May 27-29.
Openings & Closings
Amazon Opens Second Campus Store at Purdue: On Monday Amazon opened its second staffed pickup location at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., following one in February. The two Purdue stores are also the retailer’s first two campus stores.
The Reading Room to Open at Salmon Run Mall : LuAnne E Rowsam is closing her children’s bookstore/discount clothing store Rags ’n Reads in Adams, N.Y., at the end of the month and will open a bookstore with a slightly different focus and name in early July in Watertown, N.Y.
37-Year-Old Book Stop in Mobile to Close: Owner Alice Haab and long-time employee Jo Ann Robertson plan to retire when the store closes at the end of the month.
Other News
Books on Broadway Gets Reprieve—and New Owner: The former romance bookstore, which was purchased by Sharon Patch and Flora Schoonover three years ago, is getting a new start thanks to an investment by new co-owner Bob Reese, as well as money from another long-time customer. The Costa Mesa bookstore will move and downsize from 960 to 480 sq. ft.
Missoula Maulers Owner Sues Mall for Denying Rental Space to Christian Bookstore: Michael Burks filed a lawsuit against Southgate Mall in Missoula for not allowing him to replace his hockey store with a Garden of Read’n Christian bookstore.
Seth Wheeler Buys Babbitt’s Books at 11th Hour: Brian Simpson had planned to close the 25-year-old bookstore in Normal, Ill., next month, when a buyer came forward. The store will close briefly before reopening under new ownership.
Grand Reopening for Weirton Book Company: Owner Dave Rogerson is embracing candles, candy, and one-of-a-kind shaved ice and ice cream to diversify his Weirton, W. Va., bookstore, and celebrated the changes earlier this week.
Vancouver’s People’s Co-op Bookstore Turns 70: The Canadian bookstore turned around its shaky finances last year and raised the money it needed and increased its membership.
