New stores prep to open in Nebraska and Oregon; a bookstore in Colorado changes hands; Barnes & Noble to close a New Jersey location; and more.
Francie & Finch Opening in Lincoln, Neb.: On November 4, Leslie Huerta will hold the soft opening for her 1,500 sq. ft. bookstore, which includes a large children’s room. The store, which is located near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is named for two of Huerta’s favorite book characters: Francie in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Roundabout Books to Open for Halloween: A new bookstore and café with a beer and wine bar in Northwest Crossing, a mixed use community on the west side of Bend, Ore., will hold an open house on Monday, October 31. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for November 8. Bookstore owner Cassie Clemans, a former school teacher, said, “With Roundabout Books I hope to create a place that is comfortable and welcoming where people can gather, while filling my dream of owning a bookstore.”
Amalgam Owner a True Cover Girl: Ariell Johnson, the 33-year-old founder and president of Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, Inc. in Philadelphia, will appear on a variant cover of Invincible Iron Man #1. In the image Johnson shares a meal with new Marvel superhero RiRi Williams.
Coyote Ridge Finds Its Way and Transitions to New Owner: The used bookstore, the only indie in Broomfield, Colo., was ready to close in October 2015. But days before its lease expired, bookstore owners Don and Jeannie Hartley were offered an affordable rent in a 2,000 sq. ft. space, two thirds the size of the old store. At the same time Coyote Ridge increased its web presence. In another change, store manager Matthew Johnson will begin transitioning to owner over the next three years. Coyote Ridge changed its name from Calico Books in 2011.
North Brunswick, N.J., B&N to Close: Following attempts to reach an agreement for lease extensions, Barnes & Noble is closing its store in North Village Shopping Center at the end of the year. It will serve area customers at its nearby East Brunswick, Menlo Park Mall and Somerville stores, according to David Deason, v-p of development.
ABA Adds 16 Members in Third Quarter: The American Booksellers Association continues to add new bookstore members. Between July and September, ABA added new stores from California to Texas and New Jersey. In addition three bookstores changed hands.
