Read Books, Virginia Beach, Va., which "opened roughly nine months ago, at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, and has been trying to stay afloat since," is now facing an additional challenge, WVEC News reported.
"It's the uniqueness that brings a lot of people in," said owner Kristin Hildum. "Our landlord received a notice of violation that indicated that our aesthetic and structure--which is an Airstream trailer--did not meet shopping frontage guidelines for this area. The store would need to be removed within 30 days, and that falls on Thanksgiving."
City council member Guy Tower said additional concerns include the site being ADA compliant and the bathroom accessible: "Both of those need to be taken care of, I'm not sure they exactly can be because it's an Airstream.... I'm a big fan of the ViBe District and a big fan of bookstores. This is something I really hope the parties can work out, if I can have any role in that I'd be happy to do that."
Hildum countered that the bookstore has remodeled a ramp to the shop, building an additional handrail, and received permission to use the restrooms at the nearby Prosperity Kitchen and Pantry. She has also launched an online petition. "We wanted to know if a further investment of our time and resources was warranted.... It's very worrisome. I think the city wants a positive outcome, but I'm just not sure we can change what we are."
On Saturday, Read Books posted on Facebook: "The @cityofvabeach stands by their decision that our Airstream #bookstore does not meet the standards for 'shopping frontage' in its current location AND furthermore a bookstore may not operate in an #airstream trailer. Finally, the date we must leave by still stands, Small Business Saturday 2020. We will not fight this decision any further. Your support through kind words and signatures helped us in ways that don't seem apparent by this decision. But, your [love] gives us the courage, as a family, to seek a new path for Read Books. Thank you and please stay tuned!"