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 […]

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 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.