Berkeley’s Black Oak Books, which closed in June 2008, will reopen in a new location, offering “30 percent more space and ample street parking.” “De-facto owner”/investor Gary Cornell, who had tried to save the store once, hopes to have secured its future by buying the West Berkeley building that will serve as the store’s new home. The mortgage payment will be about 25 percent of what they had been paying in monthly rent.SF Chronicle About 20 Waldenbooks outlets slated for closure next month have been spared.Daily Finance
Bookstores
Another Investment Firm Builds Barnes & Noble Stake
California money manager Altheia Research & Management, run by Peter Eicher, filed with the SEC now that it has amassed at 10.8 percent stake in Barnes & Noble. Altheia says it has “no plans or proposals” other than investment purposes, but qualifies that by noting the firm “reserves the right to act in concert with any other shareholders of the Issuer, or other persons, for a common purpose should it determine to do so, and/or to recommend courses of action to management and the shareholders of the Issuer.” Nearly all of their block of stock was acquired beginning on November […]
Bookselling News
At least one chain mall store in Texas slated for closure has been spared as Lufkin‘s Waldenbooks will remain open rather than close in January as originally planned. Meanwhile, Laredo is launching a campaign to lure a new store to this city of 230,000 after B. Dalton’s closes next month. Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas says, “I can assure you, it’s going to be welcome with a red carpet.” The city council “was expected to adopt a resolution Monday night proclaiming the importance of bringing another bookstore to the city.” Barnes & Noble says “it has identified a possible location for […]
Bookselling: Up Close at Square Books; It's Over at Borders UK
Poets & Writers starts the new year with a new series of interviews with bookselling entrepreneurs, Inside Indie Bookstores. The first installment visits with Richard Howorth of Square Books: “It’s a very difficult business. But in many ways, I like the fact that it’s a difficult business. Otherwise, people who want to make money–by selling crap–would be trying to get into the book business. [Laughter.]” Looking to the digital reckoning, he says: “I think bookstores offer an experience to book consumers that is unique. To be able to go into a place physically, to experience a sensation that is the […]
Bookselling: Brooklyn's Vox Pop Closes Temporarily
The Vox Pop Cafe says on their site they have closed for now and are “in the process of trying to address the issue of back taxes that was inherited by the new management when NYS Department of Taxation and Finance chose to seize the assets. We are currently negotiating with them to have the space reopened.” The post adds: “Since we have reopened we have been actively paying down much of that inherited debt. We chose to use our limited resources to pay the people who needed it most first — like back pay for our employees who are […]
Bookselling: More Closings, Challenges
Leo’s Book Shop in downtown Toledo, OH will close by the end of the year after 42 years in business. Owner Daryl Yourist says he “will continue to operate his textbook business, but not from a retail establishment, and not downtown.”Blade Toronto Women’s Bookstore, a “36-year-old institution and icon of the local feminist movement,” told supporters that it is “in crisis” and is “hoping to raise $40,000 by January – enough to keep its doors open for another three months,” the Globe and Mail reports. The nonprofit is one of three feminist bookstores in Canada.Globe and Mail And the AP […]