Capitola Book Café, Capitola, Calif., will close at the end of the month after 34 years in business, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. In an open letter, co-owners Wendy Mayer-Lochtefeld and Melinda Powers (and the staff) said that when they bought the store in 2007, "in retrospect, our timing on the brink of a severe economic downturn and rapidly changing book industry was far from optimal, but we were passionate, driven, and committed to keeping this wonderful place alive. Through hard work, the generosity of our customers, and the support of bosses who never managed to fully 'retire,' we made it for seven years."
They continued: "It became clear a couple of years ago that a large, general, destination bookstore like ours was unsustainable. We knew that in order to survive, we had to become smaller. We told our story to the community and everyone pulled together to look for solutions. Friends and customers stepped up to offer expertise, money, and support. Our amazing landlord put out the word to potential tenants who might share our space. A talented baker stepped in to take over our cafe. We shortened hours, changed staffing schedules, and slashed or eliminated owner salaries. We offered a membership plan and raised funds to dedicate the bookshelves we envisioned in a new space, while placing customer orders as often as possible to make up for their leanness in the current one. We made a dwindling budget stretch beyond the laws of physics. All of this granted us time, but despite everyone's efforts, a long-term solution never materialized. And though we have continued to explore possibilities, we no longer have the capacity to do so…
"Thank you, thank you, thank you to the city of Capitola, the Ow family, countless book industry folks, and a long list of thoughtful, inspiring authors. Thanks to the previous owners of Capitola Book Cafe, who handed down such a gem, to Mika and her staff, who took the cafe to the next level, and to the very special community members who funded our initial transition into ownership. We wish that we had ended up in a position to repay those giant leaps of faith. Thank you as well to the countless people who have worked at the store over the years, especially our current employees, who have labored tirelessly beside us during difficult, uncertain times, always giving 110%. They are the store's beating heart, and have become family to coworkers and customers alike. Finally, we return to you, our customers. Thank you for coming in, hanging out, sharing your stories, and growing with us. We have loved nothing more than to put the right book into your hands at the right moment, and are infinitely grateful we had the opportunity to do so."
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After 17 years in business, Mendham Books, Mendham, N.J., will close next month, the Observer-Tribune reported, adding that all inventory is now 25% off, and bookcases and display materials are also for sale. Tom and Tori Williams founded Mendham Books in 1997; they'd previously worked at Happy Booker in Cedar Knolls, N.J.
A commenter on the brief article noted: "I have been a long time customer of Mendham Books. Giving up a local bookstore in this day and age is a unconscionable. I do NOT shop with Amazon, Walmart or any of the others. I go OUT OF MY WAY to shop small and local. Having interesting stores in this centre surrounding the Kings supermarket makes shopping at Kings desirable.... I hope that other patrons of Mendham Books will make their unhappiness known with the shopping centre owner."