The tiny town of Hurricane, W.V., is getting its first bookstore and coffee shop, Books & Brews, while Long Beach, Calif., gets its first book bar, the Brass Lamp, which will have a selection of books from Open Bookstore. Sisters Bea and Leah Koch are proving the viability of a brick-and-mortar romance bookstore with the rapid success of their Kickstarter campaign to open the Ripped Bodice in Los Angeles. Just three days in and they’ve already reached nearly half of their $90,000 goal.
Events
Boston Book Festival (Oct. 23-24): More than 150 presenters, including keynoters Margaret Atwood and Amanda Palmer, will attend the seventh annual festival in Boston’s Copley Square.
Openings & Closings
Books & Brews to Open in Hurricane, W.V.: Patrick Pelley is opening the used bookstore and coffee shop on the town’s Main Street.
Long Beach, Calif., Gets Its First Book Bar: After Open bookstore closed its doors three years ago, it is reopening today with a smaller selection of books inside the Brass Lamp, a bar/café. The bookstore will carry a mix of permanent titles with a rotating selection of books by local experts.
Bookhampton Stores to Close after the Holidays: Charline Spektor plans to close the two remaining stores in Southampton Village and East Hampton Village, unless a “white knight” comes forward.
Ocean Books in Half Moon, Calif., Closing October 28: After a 19-year run owner Madeleine Saussotte is closing the used and antiquarian bookstore. She is planning to hold a silent auction for the inventory.
Other News
Detroit’s the Books Connection Re-opens in New Location: The 34-year-old new and used bookstore, which boasts “no additives, no preservatives; pure bookselling, naturally” held its grand re-opening late last week in Livonia, Mich.
Romance-Only Bookstore Launches Kickstarter Campaign: In its first three days, sisters Bea and Leah Koch are nearly halfway to their $90,000 goal to open the Ripped Bodice in spring 2016 in Los Angeles.
Final Performance for Writer’s Theatre at Books on Vernon Annex: After 13 years, the theater is opening its final production at the Glencoe, Ill., bookstore before moving into its new home.
Mystery Lovers Bookshop Turns 25: The Oakmont, Pa., bookstore, which received the Raven Award from the Mystery Writers of America for outstanding achievement in the mystery field, is celebrating its first quarter century with a party later this month.
