An Iowa bookstore prepares for its grand opening; a currently unnamed bookstore/café is in the works in Maryland; and a Virginia bookstore could lose its lease.
Ivy Bookshop Opening New Store: The Baltimore bookstore is teaming up with the city’s first James Beard Award-winner, Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen, for a new, as-yet-unnamed, bookstore café that takes its inspiration from Louie’s Cafe. The store will stock only one third of the titles at the original Ivy but will host many events. Opening is slated for August.
Plot Twist Opening Monday in Ankeny, Iowa: The 1,400 sq. ft. bookstore will stocks 4,000 books, a mix of mainstream titles and independently published books. A grand opening is planned for April 30 to coincide with Independent Bookstore Day.
Ashland, Tenn. Bookstore Closes after 26 Years: John Mayfield, who opened the store on April 1, 1989, told The Tennessean, “It was never profitable, but it was fun.” In part, that’s because he’s been donating the proceeds to local nonprofits and schools for the past 20 years. The store hasn’t been open since July. But Mayfield officially closed it on March 29.
Middleburg Bookstore Faces Closure: Second Chapter Books, located in the heart of Virginia’s hunt and wine country, could be forced to close. Its building just went on the market, and its lease is up for renewal in September.
