Joe, Nan, and Elena Hight have sold Best of Books in Edmond, Okla., to longtime employee Beth Latta, with Latta's mother Cindy Merrifield as a minority owner, the Oklahoman reported.
Located at 1313 E. Danforth Rd. in the Kickingbird Shopping Center, Best of Books has been in business since 1984 and is a general-interest, all-ages bookstore. The Hights had owned the bookstore for close to 12 years, and Nan Hight, the bookstore's CEO, will stay on as a consultant for three months to help with the transition.
"We felt that the time was right to pass this treasured community store and resource to one of our employees," Joe Hight, Best of Books president, told the Oklahoman. "Nan, Elena, and I thought Beth was perfect for the ownership role given her passion for books and this community. We are thrilled to continue a tradition of employees taking over businesses, especially one like Best of Books."
On May 27, the bookstore will host an event celebrating "the Hights' ownership of Best of Books, the new era of Beth Latta, and previous owners such as Julie Hovis." The festivities will include hors d'oeuvres and live music.