Andy Lacher, owner and founder of BookStacks in Bucksport, Maine, will sell the 27-year-old bookstore to Kate Corwin, the Bangor Daily News reported. The pair agreed to a preliminary succession plan earlier this week, with Lacher saying he will stay on for a while to train Corwin, though there is no firm timetable for the transition.
Corwin has lived in Bucksport for 20 years and has been a frequent customer of BookStacks. Prior to purchasing the bookstore, she worked in customer service, and her studies included fashion design and merchandising.
"BookStacks has been a constant source of knowledge and escapism nearly my whole life," Corwin told the Bangor Daily News. "It's very exciting and truly a dream come true."
Lacher has had a long career in bookselling. Before starting BookStacks in 1997, he spent over a decade working for Mr. Paperback, a Maine bookstore chain that has since closed. He explained that a major health scare in 2022, which involved a cardiac episode and a hospital stay, spurred him to start thinking about selling the store. He remarked: "The heart attack made it clear. I'm going to be 71 pretty soon, and it's pretty obvious that I can't keep doing this indefinitely."
Lacher added that he looks forward to stepping away from the business gradually and spending more time with his wife.