For Mary Gay Shipley, 2012 has been marked by change. In February, she put That Bookstore in Blytheville, which she founded 36 years ago in Blytheville, Ark., on the market. The following week Shipley initiated more change by filing to run for the Arkansas House as a Democrat. Although she was defeated for the nomination in June, Shipley has succeeded in locating a buyer for TBIB post-election.
According to a report in Arkansas Business, 22-year-old Grant Hill of Mountain Home, Ark., is working to secure a $35,000 loan to purchase the store. Although the closing was to have taken place this week, it has been postponed. The fact that it is expected to go through is particularly good news. When she announced that she was selling the store, Shipley told PW that she would close TBIB if a buyer didn’t come forward.
