A new bookstore opens in North Carolina; a Connecticut bookstore expands with podcasts; one of the country’s smallest bookstores goes on the market; and more.
Second Creative Mindz Book Lounge Opens in Farmville: After opening a bookstore café to promote self-published authors in Wilson, N.C., writer DuWanda Epps has opened a second store. “I want our children to see that there is more to life than our phones,” Epps told Reflector.com. “Open a book and open your mind.”
RJ Julia Booksellers Launches Podcast: The Madison, Ct., bookstore, which recently announced that it will expand to Wesleyan and manage a new bookstore for Wesleyan University, launched the “Just the Right Book!” podcast, a weekly 30-45 minute podcast with CRN’s Collisions podcast division. It is available on iTunes and on www.bookpodcast.com and will feature interviews with James Patterson, Jacques Pepin, Carly Simon, and other authors.
Tatnuck Honored as #1 Local Bookstore: The Westborough, Mass., bookstore, gift shop, and café received two readers’ choice awards late last year. Both Wicked Local and Baystate Parent magazine commended the store for its extensive selection of discount books and its friendly staff.
Mesa Bookstore for Sale: David Karys-Schiff and his wife, Lisa, put their tiny 205 sq. ft. bookstore, which specializes in used paperbacks, on the market for $39,500. If they don’t get an offer for the bookstore, the couple will sell the three years remaining on their lease to a hookah shop owner, who has already expressed interest.
Obituary: Blue Marble Founder Tina Moore (1941-2016): Pilar (“Tina”) Moore, who founded and co-owned the Ft. Thomas, Ky., bookstore with her husband, Peter Moore, passed away on December 28. A leading children’s literature expert, she was a founding member and served on the board of directors of the Association of Children’s Booksellers. She received a Silver Gertie Award (1989) for her contributions to literacy and was named one of the Women of the Year in Northern Kentucky (1995). The Moore family requests that donations be made to literacy organizations such as OKI Children’s Literature Conference (www.dearbornhighlandsarts.org) or to your local library.
Last Chapter for NYC’s Crawford Doyle Booksellers: In a Facebook post the bookstore announced that after 21 years, it is closing. A note in the window states, “We are grateful for your loyalty and support—and for the opportunity to have served you in these interesting times.”
Novels and Novelties (Formerly Fountainhead Books) Closes: After seven years and a name change, Novels and Novelties closed its doors at the end of 2016. Owner Valerie Welbourn wanted to return to her original career and wasn’t able to find a buyer for the Hendersonville, N.C., bookstore over the course of the past year.
