A Maine store with a Richard Russo connection preps for a September opening; a beloved North Carolina institution readies a new permanent home; B&N cuts back in IT; and more.
New Bookstore Coming to Portland, Maine: Long-time booksellers Emily Russo and Josh Christie are launching Print: A Bookstore this fall in Portland, Maine. Russo’s father, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo will be involved in the store by interviewing writers for its authors series.
Officials Call for Longer Lease for Three Lives: Local officials in New York City’s West Village are urging the Levine family, which owns the property where Three Lives & Company is located, to give the bookstore a longer lease. It is currently operating month-to-month, while the Levines look to sell the building. “The sad fact is that our community has lost numerous independent bookstores in recent years,” the officials wrote.
Quail Ridge Books On the Move: The Raleigh N.C., bookstore will close July 7-17, while it moves inventory and sets up its new permanent location at 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road. Quail Ridge will celebrate a grand reopening the weekend of July 23-24 with visits from Corduroy, the Cat in the Hat, and North Carolina author Sheila Turnage.
Branches Books & Gifts Moving: The three-year-old Oakhurst, Calif., bookstore will double its space to 1,500 sq. ft. in September 1 when it moves to the Vons Shopping Center. Bookstore owner Anne Driscoll said that she has run out of space for popular categories like history, religion, and mystery.
Layoffs at B&N: The nation’s number one bricks-and-mortar bookseller is eliminating up to 50 jobs from its “very large” IT department in Westbury, N.Y., which supports stores and financial teams.
Belmont University to Build New Bookstore: The Nashville, Tenn., liberal arts college bought the building that housed The Athletes’ House, a 42-year-old running store, which closed in August. The property is being renovated to house a campus store, which will be up and running by January 2017.
