Two bookstores--a mobile one and a bricks-and-mortar--prep to open in Kansas; a Pennsylvania store partners up; an Iowa shop goes on the block; and more.
City Bookstore to Open in Emporia, Kans.: When the Town Crier closed up shop in 2015, Marcia Lawrence decided to fill the gap with a store named for the woman behind the town’s first bookstore, which opened in 1870. Ellen Plumb’s City Bookstore will have a soft opening in September inside the Junque Drawer. It will gradually take over the space and add more books and an Espresso Book Machine. Lawrence launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $50,000.
Mobile Children’s Bookstore Opens in Wichita: Blue Baboon Books, the brain child of Sara Ormelas, will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday. Ormelas had originally wanted to open a bricks-and-mortar bookstore, but with high rents found the 112-sq. ft. trailer much more affordable. She plans to do birthday parties, scheduled stops in the community, and “book bounces” for homeowners who invite her to park at their house.
Grand Opening for In His Time: A new Christian bookstore in downtown Crawfordsville, Ind., will celebrate its grand opening the week of July 18 with a daily drawing and book signings with local Christian authors.
20 Stores Opened Between April and June: The American Booksellers Association continues to add new members with the opening of two children’s stores, a store for cooks and crafters, and a number of general bookstores. Several long-time stores, including Copperfield’s, also added new branches, and six stores changed hands.
Werner Books in Erie, Pa., Has a New Partner: The six-year-old new and used bookstore opened by Gayle Werner, has a new co-owner, Sheila Baldwin. Other changes at the store include greater selectivity about the books that they will accept.
Ft. Madison, Iowa, Bookstore for Sale: Bonnie and Mike Howard are putting the inventory for their 22-year-old store, The Bookmark, the town’s only bookstore, up for sale. They’re keeping the fixtures and computer; the space is leased.
