Easter is often a time for new beginnings. But on Boston's South Shore, it marked the closing of Buttonwood for Kids in Hingham, Mass. Owner Betsey Detwiler will continue to operate her original store, Buttonwood Books and Toys in nearby Cohasset, which is larger and busier and carries adult books as well as children's books, toys and stationery.
Like many booksellers, Detwiler's has found it tough going since the September 11 terrorist attacks and, she said, she's reached an age when she'd like to spend less time on the job. "We've felt the economy," Detwiler told PW. "It was a whole lot of things, actually. I'm 69. I'm not looking to retire, but I'd like to lighten my load." So when her long-time manager wanted to move on, Detwiler decided it was time to close the Hingham store. A revamped shopping center slated to open at the end of the year with a new Barnes & Noble also factored into her decision.
Business in Hingham was off in part because of an especially rough winter with lots of snow. Unshoveled sidewalks made it hard for parents to maneuver strollers to Buttonwood. On top of that, the downtown parking has become extremely limited.
Detwiler, who co-owns the Hingham building, has already found a new tenant for the space—a local gift shop. "I'm very happy for the 10 years we had there. We had a good run," she said.
