Bookstores open in Louisiana and Pennsylvania; a Japanese bookstore chain preps for its Texas debut; a Christian bookseller works to stop sex trafficking; and more.
Arts Bookshop Opens in Philly: Cofounders Nerissa Cooney, Lauren Downing, Kayla Romberger, Gee Wesley, Ricky Yanas, and Joel Evey envision Ulises, a not-for-profit bookstore in a converted garage, as a space for exhibitions, lectures, conversations, and other programs organized around quarterly themes, the first one being Active Voice. Although at first glance the name might seem a tribute to James Joyce, the store is named after Mexican poet and conceptual artist Ulises Carrión.
Japanese Bookstore Chain Coming to Dallas: Kinokuniya USA is launching two new stores in Texas early next year: one in Carrollton in January, and one in Plano, inside the Mituwa Marketplace, in February. Both stores will carry a wide selection of newly released and bestselling Japanese titles along with stationery and other merchandise. With the addition of the Dallas stores, Kinokuniya will have 12 stores in the U.S.
New Christian Bookstore Owners Fight Sex Trafficking: Since purchasing Vine and Branches in Lodi, Calif., Lance and Laurie Coffman have added a café to raise money to stop sex trafficking in Central Valley. Laurie Coffman’s goal is to build safe houses outside the city. Meantime, she has begun to collect used clothing for women and children who escape trafficking.
Ribbon-Cutting for B&N at ULM: The University of Louisiana Monroe is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 22 for the $17.4 million, 88,000 sq. ft. Sandel Hall, which includes a newly renovated Barnes & Noble, the official campus bookstore.
Westhampton Beach Books & Books to Close: “For a variety of personal reasons, including the desire to retire to other pursuits, to travel more extensively, and to spend time with extended family in Virginia,” bookstore founders and owners Denise Berthiaume and Jack McKeown announced that they will close the six –year-old bookstore on Saturday December 3. Berthiaume is chair of Verso Advertising; prior to open the bookstore McKeown was CEO of Perseus Books Groups and held executive positions at HarperCollins.
