This is a sad first. Today’s Spotlight on Bookstores was submitted by Meg, a bookseller at another shop, in response to a call for submissions in the Harper Perennial promo/giveaway. Why so sad? Meg is the assistant manager at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lyndhurst, Ohio, which is closing at the end of this month. Her message about the mutual support offered by the community of independent bookstores is especially poignant in light of the store closing. If you have memories/stories/anecdotes about Joseph-Beth, please email them to me, and I’ll compile a tribute spotlight after the New Year.
You can connect with Meg via her book blog, A Piece of Evidence; her blog name is attributed to a quote from Jerry Seinfeld, “A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking.” … perfect!
And now, Meg’s kind words about Loganberry Books:
An indie bookstore manager must preach the Shop Local message every day. On those occasions where all of our
resources cannot help our customer, I spread the local love by sending our out-of-print or hard-to-find requests to Loganberry Books in Shaker Heights, OH. Harriet and her cat, Otis, keep an eye on thousands of used books in a store scattered with rugs, an open ceiling, and that good, old fashioned bookstore smell. Unique offers such as three different mail-order Book Clubs and a Stump The Bookseller book search make this a customer service centered store that exudes the number one reason why we should all Shop Local. Nine times out of ten, Harriet and her staff can find the titles our customers are looking for and I love the days when they return to say, “Thank you for helping me discover Loganberry! I spent hours there!” Loganberry Books is the type of store every local community would be proud to have and scared to lose.
So sad about the bookstore closing. Will definitely check out Meg’s blog. Will also have to check out Loganberry Books!
It’s so sad to see that bookstore close. I do love the close knit indie community.
I hate to read about an independent bookshop closing — I read about this on Shelf Awareness and I was so sad!
I live in the area and Joseph Beth was one of my favorite Indie bookstores. There are a few around, sadly there aren’t many anymore. I have been to several wonderful book signings there and my son will never forget meeting Marc Brown, the author of his favorite Arthur books when he was younger. He won’t part with those treasures as Mr. Brown signed them. It is so sad that it closed. I have not been to Loganberry Books, and will have to make a visit there.
Just visited Joseph-Beth last night- it closes today- and it was a sad experience. If I had read this post yesterday I would have taken a picture. The place was almost completely cleaned out, but somehow I managed to come home with 7 hardcovers and 2 paperbacks for $18. I’ll make a note to email you a few thoughts about the store in the next few days. I especially loved the author signings and cafe.
Sadly, I have never been to Loganberry although I’m only about 15 minutes away. Maybe Bonnie and I should meet there in the New Year
Lisa – yes, to all those thoughts!
Kathy – when this first posted, Meg tweeted that she stands by every kind word she’s said about Loganberry, and that she’ll continue to send people there. Loganberry had very kind words to share about Joseph-Beth, as well.
Coffee – I think it was a shock to the booksellers and to the community.
Bonnie – thanks for sharing your memories (and your son’s) of J-B! He should keep those Marc Brown books always
Stacy – I’ve been watching the tweets and updates from the booksellers there, so hard …. Do go to Loganberry when you can; it sounds like a treasure.