The Book Outlet, the new and used bookstore in North Hampton, N.H., has closed permanently, seacoastonline.com reported.
Marshall Miller, who founded the store in 1991, said that there were several reasons for the closing. In addition to the pressure of having to shut his doors because of Covid-19 restrictions, his own health had "a couple of setbacks," cash flow wasn't strong, and "I was concerned where I'd be financially when I opened back up." So at age 74, he decided to close the Book Outlet permanently so he could relax and enjoy time with his wife, Marilyn, seacoastonline wrote.
Unable to hold a going-out-of-business sale, Miller donated his inventory to "a man who donates books to more than 100 charitable agencies," he said.
Customers have lamented the closing. "I had people at the door crying," Miller said. "I am so grateful to everyone. I'm humbled by their response. The store wasn't just work to me. I love it and my customers."
People in the business also lament the closing. Former bookseller Debra Woodward said, "Marshall was my first boss over 40 years ago when he owned the wonderful Paperback Booksmith Musicsmith in Newington, N.H. He taught me bookselling. That was before the days of Amazon and just-in-time buying, and employees were constantly restocking their sections. We still used inventory cards (!), which were regularly checked. Sold five the first week? Order 10. We took chances on books we believed would be (often our own) bestsellers, so we had overstock during the holidays and never never ran out of those titles. He was a big supporter of local authors and publishers.
"He was also ahead of his time on how to use bargain books. Customers were drawn in by the ever-changing tables of remainders and promotional books in the front of the store, and he switched out lower priced remainders to the higher priced promotional titles of art, history, cooking for the holidays. It was an exciting time. (And his knowledge of music also drove the success of the 'record' side of the store.) Marshall devoted his life to bookselling and kept re-inventing his business model. He loved and respected his sales reps and formed lifelong friendships with them. He was the face of his stores and genuinely appreciated his customers with whom he enjoyed sharing his love of books. This is the end of an era."