The following appeared in the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association newsletter and was written by executive director Lisa Knudsen:
Susie Wilmer and Dick Sommerfeld, owners of the Book Rack in Fort Collins, Colo., are delighted to announce that they are moving and re-naming their store. On March 31. they will close the doors at their current location just south of downtown Fort Collins, where they have been for nine years. After a week of feverish activity, they will reopen in Old Town as Old Firehouse Books. Dick, Susie and store manager Jacqie Hasan had been looking for a downtown location for several years; so when a spot opened up in the charming and historic Fort Collins firehouse building, which was built in 1881, they jumped at the chance. The local historical society has strict rules governing use of these old buildings, but fortunately they were so thrilled to have a new bookstore in Old Town that they put up relatively few impediments to the minor changes that were required.
Prior to opening the Book Rack in Fort Collins, Dick and Susie owned two other Book Racks in Greeley, Colo., and Cheyenne, Wyo., which they sold in 1995 and 2000. Both stores are still in operation. For a number of years only used books were sold at the Fort Collins store, but, encouraged by an MPIBA Spring Meeting seminar directed at used-only stores, Dick and Susie began adding new books about three years ago and their current inventory consists of about 30,000 used books and 15,000 new. When asked if she expected to increase the percentage of new titles in the new store, Susie said that they plan to see what's selling and act accordingly. The new store will have 2,700 square feet of selling space, which will allow more room for author readings and planned children's story hours. There is a vacant prime spot adjacent to the new bookstore, which hopefully may soon house a teashop.
The old firehouse is in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins and is surrounded by historic buildings housing many shops and restaurants. The new store will be the third point on a triangle of MPIBA stores that are located within a block of each other. Each store has a very unique ambiance and specialty. Matter Bookstore, which opened three years ago in the rear half of a popular coffee shop, carries used books and a selection of new books that reflect owner Matt Simmons's devotion to the causes of sustainability and the environment. Al's Newsstand, managed by former MPIBA Board member Pam Orzell, is located in another historic building which has housed a newsstand since 1905. In their long and narrow 1,500-sq.-ft. space, they carry cigars and candy, a small selection of new books in hardcover and mass market and hundreds of magazines.
Kathy and I are the big winners in this arrangement, as the MPIBA office is right across the street from the old firehouse!
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Also from Lisa Knudsen in the MPIBA newsletter:
One and a
half years ago, after lengthy research and meetings with local
government and citizens who said that they would welcome and support a
bookstore, Craig Johnson finished renovating an historic building in
Golden, Colo., and opened a beautiful beautiful store--Clear Creek
Books.
Earlier this week it was reported in various media (including Shelf Awareness,
February 28, 2009) that Clear Creek might have to close; however, Craig
told me yesterday that townspeople have rallied since hearing that the
store was in financial difficulties. Last week a man came in and handed
him a check for $20,000. However, Craig knows that while these
instances of individual generosity are great, his business is not going
to survive long-term unless everyone in this small town in the
foothills outside Denver accepts "Shop with your local independent" as
their savior. No more paying lip service to the local while stopping
off at the Barnes & Noble after work in Denver or ordering from
Amazon at 3 a.m.
[Johnson and business leaders held a community meeting over the weekend.]