PW's 2001 Bookseller of the Year, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC., announced its new owner Friday afternoon, Lisa Robie Poole. Poole is a 49-year-old mother and the wife of Ven Poole, CEO of Waste Industries.
A Raleigh native and former neighbor of local author David Sedaris, Poole is excited to step into her role as owner of the 29-year-old bookstore. She has no plans to change its traditions or collections and stated in today's press release, "From the author events, to the book clubs, the award winning children’s section, and the wonderful collection of Southern writers…I can’t imagine changing the bookstore into something other than what Jim and Nancy Olson have made it."
Previous owner Nancy Olson will stay on in an advisory role, assisting Poole in what she believes will be a smooth transition. Poole will also inherit the staff, comprised of 24 full- and part-time employees. Sarah Goddin, manager of Quail Ridge Books, said in the release, "Nancy will still be involved for a long time and the staff will continue as well. So, there will really be little visible change except some new faces. I know our customers will find Lisa and her family a delight to get to know.”
Quail Ridge Books stocks around 70,000 titles and houses a children's book and music department in its 9,400 square-feet. It sponsors hundreds of events each year and draws such authors as Michael Chabon, Lee Smith, Jill McCorkle, Garrison Keillor, and Charles Frazier - whose first novel, Cold Mountain, Olson helped make a bestseller when Quail Ridge Books sold 6,000 copies.
