Volumes Bookcafe Will Open in March in Chicago’s Wicker Park
This bookstore/coffee shop, which has been in the works for the past two years, will open in the next four weeks. Co-owner Rebecca George plans to stock mostly new books and some used and will sell beer, wine, brandy, and cider along with drip coffee.
more
Third House Books & Coffee to Open in Gainesville
Kiren Valijee is planning a late March or early April opening for his 650-sq. ft. bookstore, which is located near the University of Florida and will primarily stock small press books. He got an assist on startup expenses from an Indiegogo campaign.
more
Flying Books Finds Success with Just 10 Titles
This five-month-old Toronto bookstore has doubled down on curating. It offers flights of books—think flights of wine—at The Weekend Variety, a cultural gift store. To date, it has featured 85 titles.
more
Indie Businesses Report Growing Sales
The ninth annual Independent Business Survey, which is conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in partnership with the Advocates for Independent Business, has just been released. Respondents from over 3,200 independent businesses, including the American Booksellers Association, showed an average increase in sales of 6.6%, with two-thirds citing the positive impact of Local First initiatives.
more
Fans Aid Seattle Mystery Bookshop
The 25-year-old bookshop’s GoFundMe campaign could keep it open despite rising rent and lower foot traffic. Over the past month the bookstore has received more than $40,000, which it has used to pay off back rent and other expenses. In addition, writers like Cara Black, Hallie Ephron, and Lisa Lutz have donated signed first editions.
more
Librería Martínez to Become Cultural Center
The Santa Ana Latino bookstore, which began in Rueben Martinez’s barbershop more than two decades ago, is changing its focus. Chapman University, which took over the store’s operation in 2012, is turning it into a community cultural and education center.
more
Fall River’s Book Enterprises Becomes Dollar Book Outlet
Four years after moving into the 280,000-sq. ft. mill, Book Enterprises is the latest bargain book wholesaler to look for other uses for its excess warehouse space. It recently renamed its bargain bookstore outlet in the mill to reflect its low prices, Dollar Book Outlet. And it is about to partner with the American Blanket Co. to create a store within the bookstore.
more
Recovery Bookstore Fights for Corner
Foot traffic is not a problem for neighboring businesses of five-year-old Unity on Union Books in Seattle. But those businesses—which include Uncle Ike’s pot store and a liquor store—are overshadowing the bookstore and its mission, to help those recovering from addiction.
more
New Coffee Shop for Vroman’s in Pasadena
The Next Chapter coffee shop is opening soon in front of Vroman’s 31,000 sq. ft. store. It replaces Zeli Coffee Bar, which closed in December after nearly 20 years.
more
Springfield, Ore., Bookstore to Close in April
Due to steep declines in foot traffic, Peggy West will close 32-year-old Thurston Book Exchange.
more
