New York City loses another Barnes & Noble; Maine gains a bookstore; determined Oregon store stays open despite flooding; and more.
Stephen King-Centric Bookstore Opens in Bangor: Monday marked the soft opening of Gerald Winters & Son Rare Books on Main Street. The store sells first editions, original manuscripts, proofs, limited editions, and ephemera of science fiction and fantasy authors, including Stephen King, J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, and J.K. Rowling. In addition, the store has a small selection of trade paperbacks.
B&N to Close Its Last Store in the Bronx: In a case of déjà vu all over again, the country’s largest chain announced that it would close its Bay Plaza store. A similar announcement was made almost exactly two years ago to the day. But at the 11th hour, Bronx president Ruben Diaz Jr. brokered a deal. Although Barnes & Noble is being turned out of its location, the property owner offered it a smaller space.
Tucson’s Antigone for Sale: Trudy Mills and Kate Randall, longtime business partners, are working with Paz & Associates to sell their store. The store, which opened in 1973, was originally a feminist bookstore but over the years it has expanded its inventory and space. Mills and Randall are selling the business only. They plan to continue to own the building to ensure that a bookstore stays in the location.
Longwood University B&N Moves Downtown: The Farmwood, Va., university bookstore will move downtown to a larger location next summer. It’s part of a bid by the university to increase foot traffic and encourage more members of the community to shop at the store.
PSU Bookstore Stays Open Despite Flood: The Portland State University Bookstore is not letting cleanup from flooding caused by wind and rain over the weekend interfere with keeping the store open. Although the main entrance is blocked, students can enter through an emergency entrance. “We are committed to staying open throughout the recovery, even if it means hand fetching each item students need, whether it’s a pencil or a textbook,” said store manager Cory Adamski.
