Finch & Fern Book Co. in Sylvania, Ohio, will be closing its physical storefront on July 25, but will continue to operate as an online bookshop and a vendor at local events and pop-ups. Owner Katie Gilliland opened the bookstore, which sells new and used titles, in October 2023. She named the shop after To Kill a Mockingbird's Atticus Finch.
In an social media post announcing her decision, Gilliland wrote: "As a lifelong reader with a career in bookselling, I dreamed of opening my own bookstore. When I launched Finch & Fern Book Co., that dream evolved from simply being a bookshop into so much more--a community hub, a queer-friendly space, and a haven for indie authors. For three years, I have worked tirelessly to build relationships with my customers, with local schools, community organizations, animal rescues, a variety of other small businesses-people of many backgrounds from all over Michigan and Ohio. It is these relationships that have propelled me forward.... For three amazing years, it has been my honor and joy to serve this community."
After more than a year spent deliberating the future of the bookshop in the face of the ongoing Main Street construction, increasing operational costs, inflexible lease realities, "and the workload of operating a community-centered space mostly as a one-woman show, I have made the difficult decision not to renew our lease at the end of July. With all the obstacles I've faced, the idea of signing another three year lease with another year of construction on the horizon feels like a financially irresponsible one," she wrote.
In addition to operating an online and pop-up version of Finch & Fern, Gilliland said she will be "throwing myself fully into growing my editing career. My partnerships with local organizations to bring exciting author events to the community--every off-site event on the calendar will move forward.
"Thank you for choosing to support indie bookstores. Thank you for coming to storytime and supporting your kids' love of reading. Thank you for trusting my recommendations. Thank you for sharing your lives with me. Thank you for making Finch & Fern an important part of your lives. I am eternally grateful for the support my little bookshop has received from this community for the last three years.... Now, onto the next chapter."