Vroman’s Bookstore sold its 55,854-square-foot Pasadena site for $15.5 million to GD Realty Group. The store will remain open. Owner Joel Sheldon had announced his plans to retire and sell the store almost two years ago. The store’s second location, in Hastings Ranch, closed in May 2024.
Bookstores
Bookshop.org Launches Ebooks in the UK
Bookshop.org has launched their ebook platform in the UK on Apple and Android. The platform launches with over a million ebooks, “including works from major publishers,” and allows readers to “share their favorite book moments on social media.” Independent bookstores will keep 100% of the profits of the ebooks they sell. Bookshop ceo and founder Andy Hunter says in a release: “Our ebook launch furthers our commitment to help bookstores flourish in the digital age. After introducing our ebook platform in the US earlier this year, we are thrilled to see how ebook sales are going for bookshops. We are […]
Bluestockings Bookstore To Close After 26 Years
Bluestockings Cooperative, the feminist organization that includes Bluestockings Bookstore in Manhattan, announced it will close at the end of 2025. The bookstore is shuttered, but they will continue to fulfill orders through December. They cite “many setbacks” over the last two years, including “$12,000 a month in rent, thousands in utilities,” and disputes with the neighbors. They write on their website, “This closure was our absolute last resort. On top of our crew’s ongoing struggle against the organized abandonment of New York City and constant crises, the remaining worker-owner and staff are at the limits of what they can manage […]
Powell’s Under Fire For AI Merch Design
Critics have asserted online that Powell’s Books in Portland used AI to create designs that appear on shirts and mugs. One shows an illustration of a wolf standing on top of books, the spines of which show both binding and pages. One online comment claims that employees complained about the design before the shirts were printed, but “were given the runaround.” “Powell’s workers have been voicing concerns about the use of AI in these designs for months and company leadership has been unmoved… maybe feedback from customers and book industry peers will move them?” the Powell’s workers’ union, ILWU Local […]
Books Inc. Seeks Court Approval to Sell Its Assets to Barnes & Noble
Bankrupt Bay Area bookstore chain Books Inc. filed a motion with the bankruptcy court seeking approval to sell their assets to an affiliate of Barnes & Noble for $3.25 million. Books Inc. filed for voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization in January “in response to revenue losses from steadily rising operating costs and changing consumer buying habits exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.” Last year, the bankrupt Tattered Cover stores in Denver were sold to B&N for $1.83 million. Books Inc. says in their announcement that if the deal goes through, the store group “will preserve its independent identity. Books Inc. will continue […]
ABA Discusses Tariffs, Swipe Fee Legislation at Annual Meeting
The American Booksellers Association Annual Meeting and Town Hall was presented via Zoom yesterday, with outgoing president Tegan Tigani, ceo Allison Hill, and other board members sharing updates and fielding questions from booksellers. Tigani said in her introductory remarks: “The last year has been challenging. The turnover on our board mirrors turnover many of us are seeing in our stores. Our industry is experiencing high rates of burnout and churn.” She noted that booksellers are feeling strain from “reworking a school order to fit the parameters of a new budget, from testifying or waiting to testify in the Texas House […]