New stores are coming to Midlothian, Va.; Anchorage; Plattsburgh, N.Y.; and Houston, Mo.
Openings & Closings
New 2nd & Charles to Open Early Next Year: Books-A-Million is about to open the 26th store in its used bookstore division, a 20,062 sq. ft. store at Chesterfield Crossing in Midlothian, Va.
Bookstore/Café to Replace Porn Shop: Vered Mares and his business partner, Katy McCue, are cleaning out an Adults Only store in Anchorage and loaning the space to artists and musicians. In the spring, they plan to demolish the building and replace it with The Writer’s Block Bookstore and Café.
Children’s Bookstore Opens in Downtown Plattsburgh, N.Y.: Cousins Lori Titherington-Raville and Amanda McCarty recently opened Once Upon a Book to help children develop a love of reading.
Hatter’s Hideaway Opens in Houston, Mo.: Mother and daughter Laura Lockhart and Amber Lange opened the bookstore, which also sells locally made crafts and jewelry, on Black Friday.
Howard’s Books Closing Bricks-and-Mortar Store: Howard Cohen, who began his bookselling career at Kroch’s & Brentano’s in the 1960s, is closing his Evanston, Ill., store after 15 years and will move to selling online only.
Chicago’s Shake, Rattle & Read to Close: Ric Addy plans to close the bookstore, which was originally named Book Box, early next year following the store’s 50th anniversary party.
Bell’s Bookstore Closing in January: At 84, Dwight Bell has decided to close his longtime bookstore in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Other News
Let’s Save Philly’s Oldest African-American Store: Helen Ubinas, writing in Philly.com, urges readers to support owner Yvonne Blake and Hakim’s Bookstore, the now struggling store her father founded more than 50 years ago.
Final Week for Volumes Indiegogo Campaign: Volumes Bookcafe in Chicago turned to crowdfunding to raise the last $20,000 it needs for a new HVAC and water line so it can open. Sisters Kimberly and Rebecca George thought they were all set until a city inspector told them they needed these two expensive items for final approval.
New Owner for Book Bin: Recently retired college professor Philip Wilson is buying the Onley, Va., bookstore and coffee bar.
The Bookloft Goes on the Market: After 41 years in bookselling, Eric and Ev Wilska announced that they are selling their Great Barrington, Mass., bookstore. Interested buyers should e-mail Paz & Associates.
Copperfish Books to Move in March: The three-year-old Punta Gorda, Fl., bookstore is moving to a larger space in the heart of downtown.
Two Springfield, Mo., Stores Merge: When Redeemed Books and More owner Todd Link learned that CPO Discount Christian store across the street was closing, he arranged to band together. Shortly after the new year CPO-Redeemed will open at the Redeemed location.
