On Indigo’s investor call, cfo Hugues Simard clarified that they had a total of 16 superstores under renovation in the just-reported quarter. Two renovations were completed in that period, and another 12 will be finished “between now and November.” Additionally, the timeline on their first US store in Short Hills, NJ has slid just a little. Previously pointed towards opening in “late August, early September,” now, “It’ll be most probably a late-September opening.”
As Ann Arbor bookseller Aunt Agatha’s, prepares to close on August 31 after 26 years of operation, owners Robin and Jamie Agnew “weren’t expecting [the] outpouring of support from customers and authors alike.” The Detroit Free Press runs a long story on the store, which specializes in mysteries and detective fiction. “We’ve gotten e-mails in the hundreds. Mystery authors are such nice people,” said Robin. The praise and affection expressed “was very moving.” The store will host a farewell celebration on August 26, and the story shares testimonials from many authors.
Elsewhere, Johns Creek Books & Gifts opened in Johns Creek, GA, about 30 miles from Atlanta, a 2,300-square foot store selling new and used books; MacIntosh Books and Paper in Sanibel Island, FL has opened Mini Mac, a 200-square foot satellite location in Fort Myers; and A Book for All Seasons, in Leavenworth, WA, relocated to a new space.
The Book Table in Oak Park, IL completed an addition that expanded the space by 50 percent, funded by $50,000 in donations. Co-owner Racher Weaver said the expansion “allows us to spread out our sections a little better with more front covers of books jumping out at you that you might not notice in the proverbial need in a haystack when they’re packed together spine to spine.”
Washington D.C. diner Busboys and Poets is closing their existing space and moving across the street to a slightly smaller space a few hundred feet away in September, still with room for a bookstore.
Geek Inc., which operates two comic book and vintage toy stores, purchased Ashland Kentucky’s Empire Books & News. The company said in a release that they are “committed to the continuation of the ideas which have made Empire Books a great local bookstore.”
People
In personnel news, John Passineau has joined Abrams as associate art director of calendars and children’s licensing. Previously he worked for 10 years in calendar and book design at Workman Publishing.