Borders continues the tradition of bolstering their executive team with people from outside of publishing. They have hired Arthur Keeney as svp of marketing, starting at the end of June, reporting to Anne Kubek. He was general manager for eight years at Harold Friedman, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based grocery store chain, and previously worked with Borders ceo Ron Marshall at grocer Nash Finch. Among the areas he will oversee is Borders.com, where he will run a search “for a new leader at the vice president level.” Rich Fahle is moving from that role to the new position of vp creative, outreach […]
Bookstores
Bunch of Grapes Ready to Reopen on Vineyard
The Bunch of Grapes bookstore will reopen on Saturday in Vineyard Haven (on Martha’s Vineyard), a joyous return after a fire last July 4th significantly damaged the store and its contents. New owner Dawn Braasch, who bought the business from Jon Nelson last October (and has a long-term lease from his mother and founder of the store Ann Nelson, who is also helping Braasch as a consultant), tells the local paper “not only are we serving the community, but the community has really served us. Over the years, people have been such good patrons, and without them, we wouldn’t be […]
Shaman Drum Gives Up the Fight to Survive; Wisconsin Store to Close After 113 Years
Owner of Ann Arbor bookstore Shaman Drum Karl Pohrt will close the store at the end of June. “I feel like I’ve had this charmed life to sell books in Ann Arbor for nearly 30 years,” he tells the Ann Arbor News (which will also close soon.) “That’s a good run.” The store’s site says, “On the advice of my accountant and my business manager, I am closing Shaman Drum Bookshop June 30. Despite a first rate staff, a fiercely loyal core of customers, a very decent landlord and my own commitment to the community of arts and letters in […]
Borders SEC Filing Discloses Suit by California Employees
In February 2009, three former general managers of Borders stores filed suit in California and are seeking class action status, alleging that the bookseller improperly classified them as exempt employees and violated California Labor Code in a number of ways. Borders adds, “discovery has not commenced and we cannot reasonably estimate the amount or range of possible loss, if any, at this time. We intend to vigorously defend this action.” The company also notes that as of May 2, they had $112 million in funding available under their revolving credit agreement, though “this amount is not necessarily indicative of our […]
eNews: Indigo to Launch Their Own Device
CEO of dominant Canadian retailer Indigo Heather Reisman disclosed after a TV interview today that the company is “in final talks with a number of e-book reader manufacturers and will be choosing one to launch as their own in Canada by the end of this year.” Reisman indicated that neither Sony nor Amazon will be their partner.CTV tech blog
Crushed But Not Fermented: Online Web Guru Shares Tips for Booksellers
After hearing the big build-up for WineLibrary TV founder Gary Vaynerchuk I have to admit I found his Saturday BEA panel underwhelming–more beaujolais nouveau than aged vintage wine if you will. Vaynerchuk may be the first Web 2.0 motivational speaker, and as he let us know repeatedly, his simple but enthusiastic message is apparently in demand from a variety of companies. (I’ve never heard the expression “have the chops” repeated so many times.) And at least some booksellers in the audience at his BEA panel certainly seemed to be nodding along with his advice. Tailored as an independent wine dealer […]