Children’s Bookstores: One Closes, One Expands
by Judith Rosen -- Publishers Weekly, 6/25/2008 7:26:00 AM
The day after word came that All for Kids Books & Music owner Chauni Haslet will retire June 30 without finding a buyer for her store, Ventura, Calif.-based Adventures for Kids, announced it will close at the end of July. “It was kind of 11th hour when I bought it,” said former chef Barbara O’Grady, who purchased the store in 2006 from founder Jody Fickes Shapiro. “I could not find any financing. I was buying it more from an emotional point of view than a financial point of view. Basically I’ve been bringing in $300 a day and I need $1,200.”
Although the closing was no surprise to staffers, since O’Grady posts sales daily, an e-mail that went out earlier this week announcing a going-out-of-business sale disappointed loyal customers, who have e-mailed and stopped by. In the end, O’Grady said, she didn’t have deep enough pockets to keep the store going. “I don’t see it as being unsuccessful,” said O’Grady. “It’s kind of a commentary all the way around on small business. My first year here Costco was named the best bookstore in town.”
Fortunately, not all news on the children’s bookselling front is disappointing. On July 1, The Children’s Hour in Salt Lake City will open in its new 4,000 sq. ft. space, more than double the size of its current location, which is kitty-corner to it. Owner Diane Etherington has seen steady increases in sales since she added sidelines to compete against the first wave of independent bookstore competition, chain retailers.
What distinguishes The Children’s Hour is that in addition to toys and plush, it carries jewelry and clothing for women and girls. At the new location, Etherington plans to cater to the increasing number of dads who shop with their kids. Now they’ll be able to find sweaters, pants and shoes, anything that doesn’t require a dressing room. The Children’s Hour is also adding a computer, a store first—although not a POS system—and plenty of parking.
This is The Children’s Hour’s fourth move since Etherington opened the original 250 sq. ft. store in 1983. “We’re not going to ever move again,” she said. “I’m so excited to be able to spread out and to merchandise and display the way I want to.”
