Paul Listro and Richard Parent are the new owners of Breakwater Books in Guilford, Conn. The bookshop had been put up for sale in September.
In a letter posted on Facebook announcing the change, previous owner Liza Fixx wrote that "after having been contacted by dozens of interested and talented buyers, I have sold the bookstore and could not be happier about the new owners. Paul Listro and Richard Parent come at a time when Breakwater Books is poised to continue to expand its growth and presence on the Shoreline as a venerable bookstore, an event venue and community gathering place and an anchor in the town of Guilford."
The new owners took control of the business effective October 26. The name will remain the same, and Fixx "will continue to work here and help all of you--our wonderful customers--with your book needs," she noted.
Listro and Parent have had long careers in media, primarily in television and film production, Listro as an attorney and business affairs executive, and Parent as an accountant and finance executive. They are avid patrons of the arts with a keen interest in theater, cinema and literature.
Residents of the Short Beach community of Branford for many years, "they have long been fans of Breakwater Books and are thrilled and humbled to carry the torch of this cultural asset of the shoreline community," Fixx wrote. "They love this community, they love books, and they love dogs.... Please stop in and meet Paul and Richard--they are eager to get to know their new community and all of you! We are all looking forward to a prosperous, exciting and healthy holiday season, and we thank you all for your continued patronage of this special bookstore."