Rediscovered Books, Boise, Idaho, is planning to close its Caldwell location, which opened in 2019 as the company's third store, "after four years of losing money," the Idaho Statesman reported, adding that the decision came after attempts to improve business over the last year proved unsuccessful. The company's two Boise stores--Rediscovered Books downtown and Once and Future Books on State Street--will remain open.
Bruce DeLaney, co-owner of the business with his wife, Laura DeLaney, said that faced with a dearth of customers in downtown Caldwell, the store will shut down after a closing sale slated to begin in July. "We have a lot of regulars here," he noted. "There's gonna be some tears, on our part and possibly on their part as well." The bookstore's final day in operation hasn't been set yet.
In a message to customers posted on Rediscovered Books' website, the DeLaneys wrote, in part: "We've been challenged by many circumstances outside of our control, and we have tried everything we can to make it work. After much careful consideration we believe the only path forward is to close the Caldwell location.
"Caldwell is a beautiful and unique community that we have treasured being a part of since November, 2019. During this time we have met and worked with many wonderful people. Readers of all types including book club members, members of the LGBTQ community, teachers and school communities, librarians, parents and children have welcomed us and become part of our Rediscovered Books community. We are grateful for all the new connections we have made. We believe that Caldwell deserves a bookstore like ours. However, our belief is not enough to create a reality in which we can continue as we have."
The DeLaneys, who are planning to have pop-up shops, book and wine events, and school projects and expect to be physically in Caldwell every month, added: "We will still find ways to stay connected with you, and when the time is right, we hope to come back."
The Caldwell bookstore "is known for opposing recent book bans made by Idaho school boards," the Statesman wrote. "Last year, when the Nampa school board removed 23 books from school libraries for perceived sexual content, Rediscovered's Boise store set up a display of those books.... The store also created a Web page with resources to help people fight book bans." (Laura DeLaney also spoke in detail this year at both the Winter Institute and Children's Institute about how the store has dealt with book bannings. See our coverage here and here.)
Opening the Caldwell store in November 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, did not help matters. Bruce DeLaney told the Statesman that about a year ago, they started to consider closing as an option even as they tried to improve business with advertising as well as changing the hours and product selection.
"You make decisions when you're in business with two things," he added. "You make decisions with your head, you make decisions with your heart. And the numbers of the Caldwell location just don't add up."