An in-the-works Montana bookstore targets a Wendy’s for its location; a Twin Citiies bookstore plans a move; and a new Florida bookstore settles in.
Openings
Downtown Billings Could Get New Store This Summer: A vacant Wendy’s will be the site of the Billings Bookstore Co-operative. The venture, which is being led by attorney and author Carrie LaSeur (The Home Place), is intended to replace Thomas Bookstore, which closed in 2012 after 20 years in business. The co-op group will begin selling shares within the next few weeks.
Other News
Gas Explosion in Seattle Temporarily Forces Bookstore to Close: Nine firefighters were injured and 36 businesses in the city’s Greenwood neighborhood were damaged yesterday morning, including Couth Buzzard Books. Owner Theo Dzielak spoke at a meeting called by city officials, where he said that it’s too soon to know when the shop will reopen. But a fundraising effort has already begun for affected stores.
Micawber’s Moves to Smaller Space Nearby: To cut costs the Twin Cities bookstore, which had been in the same location for the past 44 years, moved a few feet away—with the help of devoted store customers one of whom built the new front counter.
MacIntosh Books and Paper Thrives at New Sanibel Island, Fla., Location: After its New Year’s Eve move to Palm Ridge Road, the island’s first bookstore, founded in 1960, has found “a really nice energy of like-minded people,” according to manager Rebecca Binkowski. In the new, larger space, the store has expanded its children’s and cooking sections as well as its cards.
LA’s Hennessey + Ingalls Now Reopen: The art and architecture store, which closed its Hollywood store last fall to move into the downtown arts district, opened in its new space late last month.
