Open in time for BEA:
It’s official, East Harlem, N.Y., will have a bookstore of its own. Four years after Aurora Anaya-Cerda launched an online bookstore with the intent to open a physical one, La Casa Azul Bookstore is celebrating its grand opening on June 1 from 6-8 pm. Other events at the store on opening weekend include a sing-along with ¡Acopladitos! and a reading by Nicholasa Mohr, author of Nilda.
The Booksmith honored:
Last week in a ceremony at city hall for Small Business Week, the City of San Francisco recognized the Booksmith and its owners, Christin Evans and Praveen Madan, for their service to the community. “The Booksmith has been the literary focal point of the Haight Ashbury district for almost 40 years,” San Francisco Supervisor Christina Olague said. “The Booksmith’s author events are legendary featuring both nationally known and San Francisco authors. Since taking over the store in 2007, Christin Evans and Praveen Madan have set the goal for themselves to create an independent bookstore for the 21st century. . . . It is my pleasure to honor the Booksmith today.” In addition to a Certificate of Honor from the mayor and board of supervisors, Evans and Madan were presented with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community from Representative Nancy Pelosi.
New owner for the Doylestown Bookshop:
Glenda Childs announced the purchase of the 14-year-old Doylestown Bookshop in Doylestown, Pa., in an open letter to customers. “This is an exciting time to be an independent bookseller and it is a long held dream of mine. As a local bookstore, we have the unique ability to really serve our customers as we create an inventory and programming based on your needs and interests,” she wrote. To maintain continuity, former owners Pat and Phil Gerney are staying on during the transition. The entire staff has also agreed to continue working at the store.
