A flurry of new bookstores are opening; Minneapolis’s Once Upon a Crime is changing hands; and two Seattle stores, once projected to close, are keeping the lights on.
Openings
Books & Mortar Coming to Grand Rapids in August: Michigan natives Chris Roe and Jonathan Shotwell are moving back from Chicago to Grand Rapids to open a bookstore/coffee bar this summer. They are currently in the midst of lease negotiations.
Early March Opening for Savoy Bookshop & Café: Mystic's Bank Square Books is just about to open its long-awaited store in Westerly, R.I. A soft opening is planned for early this month with the grand opening on April 16.
Grand Opening for Hypertext Bookstore Café in Lowell, Mass.: Sisters Samantha and Sheila Cail held the grand opening of their bookstore and café late last week.
Other News
Once Upon a Crime Changes Hands: Avid mystery readers Dennis Abraham and Meg King-Abraham should have plenty of books to read once they complete their purchase of Minneapolis’s mystery bookstore from current owners Pat Frovarp and Gary Shulze. The sale will be finalized on April 1, the store’s 29th anniversary.
Seattle’s Wide World Books & Maps to Stay Open: After announcing on Facebook that the store is closing, owner Julie Hunt is turning to crowdfunding to raise $30,000. Among the awards for donors are 10 seven-day tours donated by Rick Steves’ Europe.
Seattle Mystery Bookshop Reaches Fundraising Goal: A second Seattle bookstore will be able to keep its doors open thanks to hitting its $50,000 fundraising goal.On its GoFundMe page, the staff wrote, “We’re humbled and touched and completely in awe of your kindness, generosity and support. There really are no words to convey how grateful we truly are.”
Copperfish Books Completes Its “Big Move”: Late last week, the new, used, and rare Punta Gorda, Fla., bookstore finished the transition into a new, more centrally located, larger space with a parking lot.
Turning the Page Moves to Main Street: Six years after Scott Janke bought and renamed Twice Told Tales, the Moscow-Idaho used bookstore is about to have a much more central location.
Happy 30th to Fact & Fiction!: The Missoula, Mont., bookstore will celebrate its first three decades on March 15. The store promises there will be cake.
Closings
C&W Used Books Is Closed: After 25 years in Woodbridge, Va., C&W closed for good on Monday. The store announced that its lease was up and it couldn’t afford the rent increase.
Family Christian Closes on South Bend’s South Side: Poor sales led to last week’s closing. Fourteen Family Christian Bookstores remain in Indiana.
