Several bookstores have already opened this month: M. Judson in Greenville, S.C.; the Little Bookstore in Shelbyville, Ill.; and UH Bookstore in Honolulu. At the same time, some stores continue to struggle with adequate funding. St. Marks Bookshop in New York City’s East Village is looking for investors to help it bring stocking levels back up.
Events
BookPeople Carnival of Books (August 8): BookPeople in Austin is back with its very own National Bookstore Day for BookPeople Nation. This year it’s been renamed “Carnival of Books,” and the store is promising literary trivia, wonders, merriment, and possibly balloon animals.
Openings & Closings
M. Judson Opens in Downtown Greenville, S.C.: After three years of planning by Samantha Wallace, publisher of Greenville food magazine Edible Upcountry; author Ashley Warlick; Tricia Lightweis, owner of Booksmith in Seneca; and small-business owner June Wilcox the bookstore and café is now open.
The Little Bookstore Opens in Shelbyville, Ill.: On August 1, the bookstore, which carries books, cards, and gifts, along with prospecting and beekeeping equipment, held its grand opening. Owners Timothy and Patricia Ruppert also own the Little Bookstore in Nokomis.
Francophone Bookstore Coming to Toronto: After losing its last French bookstore, Librairie Champlain, six year’s ago, Toronto will have a new francophone bookstore soon. Early next year Quebec City’s La Librairie du Quartier will open a store in partnership with Toronto’s Alliance Française.
UH Press Bookshop Opens in Hamilton Library: University of Hawai’i Press opened a bookstore in Honolulu in the largest research library in the state, where it will match the price of its books on Amazon or any online bookseller.
Zoning Issues Close Carlsbad, Calif., Store Temporarily: Sean Christopher, owner of Lhooq/Exrealism, must sort out permits with the city before he can reopen his vintage bookstore/events venue. He also operates a nonprofit there to support and showcase new and underground art.
That Book Place Closed in Madison, Ind.: Late last week Frank and Kim Hall closed the doors of their nine-year-old bookstore.
Other News
Happy 50th to Webster Groves Bookshop: Seventy-eight-year-old Ann Foy, who started working at the Webster Groves, Mo., bookstore in 1985 and purchased it with her husband in 1999, plans to celebrate with cake today.
St. Mark’s Looking for Investors: Earlier this week the East Village bookstore announced that it is undercapitalized and looking for investors. The bookstore moved to a new, less expensive space last summer.
New Café for Seattle’s Elliott Bay Book Company: Late last week Linda Derschang opened her seventh shop, Little Oddfellows, inside Elliot Bay. It replaces the Elliott Bay Café that closed earlier this summer.
