A Little Independent News

Glenn Goldman, Owner of LA's Book Soup, Passes

The owner of a Los Angeles Sunset Boulevard independent, Book Soup, Glenn Goldman, passed away in January of this year, aged 58, reported by the LA Times.

Glenn Goldman knew his clients and his store and personally chose many of the 60,000+ titles Book Soup sold. He left no plan for the future of the store in the event of his death and employees and Goldman's partner are undecided about the store's future. The Times reported that purchase by some of the stores employees is one possibility.

This same story reports that Book Soup and at least one other LA independent, Skylight Books, had a good year for sales in 2008, in contrast to losses reported by the large chains.

The Milwaukee WI Journal-Sentinel reported that local independent small chain Schwartz Bookshops were closing but at least two of their stores will pass to soon-to-be-former Schwartz store managers, Daniel Goldin and Lanora Hurley. Mr. Goldin and Ms. Hurley will continue to run those stores independently and will work together to help each other and to continue the same traditions to be found at Schwartz stores, including events and author readings.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that that city's independent bookstores are thriving.

The article quotes Hut Landon, the executive director of the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association, "Nationally, independent bookstores sell about 10 percent of the new books in a market. In the San Francisco Bay Area, it is 55 percent."

Anyone looking for a fantastically idyllic, semi-retirement opportunity, coastsider.com reports that Moon News Bookstore in Half Moon Bay, California is for sale. The article quotes an email from the store with their for sale ad: "Moon News Bookstore, Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA, where it’s sunny with plenty of fog for a happy reader’s tan. Well-loved, highly regarded, 12-year-old, independent bookstore fully loaded: friendly, lively, readerly staff; wonderful atmosphere; exceptional magazine and newspaper selection; literary bent; author events; book groups; open mic nights; local artwork displayed and sold; musical events; well-established staff picks section; website; email list and newsletters. Original asking price now reduced and taking best offer—includes inventory, fixtures, computer network. All inquiries please call 650-228-8286 or e-mail moonnewsca@aol.com"