Struggling Australian retailer Booktopia announced that it expects to remain in financial limbo until late July or beyond. After suspending trading of its stock in the middle of June while the company seeks new financing and/or credit as “necessary for the company’s continued financial viability,” the company has been extending its own deadline further and further out. Now, the company tells the Australian Stock Exchange, it does not expect to have news regarding “the additional funding it is seeking” until July 19. The only progress reported is that “due diligence has been undertaken by some of these parties [suppliers and […]
Bookstores
Booktopia Suspends Trading of Its Shares
Struggling Australian online bookseller Booktopia looks to have reached a troubling new stage. Late last week they suspended trading of the company’s stock — which is worth only five cents a share — pending an announcement. But the follow-up announcement earlier this week simply said that trading in their shares would remain suspended, “pending the release of an announcement regarding further outcomes from the previously announced strategic review including its progress in seeking additional funding.” Co-founder, board member and once-again executive Tony Nash told The Guardian Australia, “We’re in motion at the moment, so [an announcement] will be probably more […]
B&N to Purchase Tattered Cover for $1.83 Million
As was rumored last week, Barnes & Noble will buy Tattered Cover bookstore for $1,833,402 in cash, in an offer accepted by Tattered Cover’s owner Bended Page LLC Monday evening. The deal must be approved by bankruptcy court before it is final, and a decision is slated to be made before July 31. B&N will acquire Tattered Cover’s inventory and five locations, which will continue to operate under the Tattered Cover Book Store name. Per the filing with the bankruptcy court, BN “anticipates offering employment to substantially all of Tattered Cover’s current employees,” approximately 70 people, “to continue its events […]
B&N Reportedly Bids on Tattered Cover
Barnes & Noble is the top bidder to take over Tattered Cover, according to Business Den, citing a source “familiar with the process.” The store’s owners cancelled the auction that was set for Wednesday. Company spokesperson Steven Silvers said in a statement, “At this time the board, management and corporate counsel are all actively engaged in ongoing discussions and negotiations with the qualified bidders. We don’t know how long these will continue or when we’ll have more information.” He continued, “All parties are taking this process very seriously and discussions have been positive. We remain quite hopeful that Tattered Cover is […]
Bookselling: New Owners for Chaucer’s Books in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara bookstore Chaucer’s Books, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, has been sold by owner Mahri Kerley, the Santa Barbara Independent reports. The new owners, Greg Feitt and Jen Lemberger, met and fell in love as booksellers at the store in mid-2000s. Feitt eventually became the store’s general manager and book buyer. The new owners tell the Independent that they aren’t planning big changes, and will still host events and book fairs. “Chaucer’s is a community institution, and we want it to continue as such and continue [Kerley’s] legacy,” Feitt said. “So, while we have ideas and […]
Tattered Cover Cancels Auction
Tattered Cover canceled today’s planned auction to determine a new owner “to allow more time to discuss with interested buyers,” the Denver Post reports. The auction may happen in the future, or “may not be needed,” store spokesperson Steven Silvers said. In May, Tattered Cover said that they were soliciting bids from potential buyers, and that they would hold the auction if there were multiple bidders. In bankruptcy court filings, they said they had executed signed NDAs from eight potential bidders and were hoping for more.