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| Joanne Berg (center) with new owners Hannah Davidson (l.) and Hilary Burg | |
Joanne Berg, owner of Mystery to Me, Madison, Wis., is selling the store to two employees, Hannah Davidson and Hilary Burg. The transition will occur early next year.
Berg founded Mystery to Me in 2013 after buying the inventory and bookshelves from Booked for Murder. Mystery to Me is a general bookstore that sells fiction, nonfiction, gift books, and more. A grant from James Patterson provided the impetus to begin selling children's books, too.
Berg said that leaving the store is bittersweet, but "it's time for a new chapter!" She plans to travel internationally as well as to Sedona, Ariz., with her wife, Sue Riseling.
Hannah Davidson has been with Mystery to Me since 2019 as a bookseller, children's book buyer, and store manager. Before joining Mystery to Me she taught high school English.
Hilary Burg has been with Mystery to Me since 2022 as a bookseller and subscription manager. She spent five years as a writer and managing editor for Travel Wisconsin before becoming a bookseller.
The store stated that Davidson and Burg "believe wholeheartedly in the value of independent bookstores, and in their power to be a force for good in their community." They plan to introduce a variety of new in-store events, strengthen partnerships with local organizations and schools, and prioritize personal recommendations to connect more readers with books they'll love.