Dutton's Beverly Hills Closing

by Bridget Kinsella, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 12/21/2006

Unless some sort of Christmas miracle occurs, Dutton's Beverly Hills will join the growing list of independents closing at the end of the year. Owner Doug Dutton confirmed that the Beverly Hills location will close December 31. Dutton's Brentwood is "not in any financial distress," Dutton told "PW Daily," but the Beverly Hills store was not doing enough business to break even. "People said it was the best thing in Beverly Hills and they loved it, but not enough for us to meet the rental obligation," said Dutton.

Years before Dutton's opened in Beverly Hills in fall '04, the city wooed the independent bookseller to join its retail community. Dutton said he was unable to negotiate reduced rent on the site, which is owned by the city of Beverly Hills. Dutton's Beverly Hills is 8,000 sq. ft.

"We intend to continue on," said Dutton about his original location. Next year Dutton's Brentwood Books will celebrate its 45th anniversary.