Around Indies

Bunch of Grapes' New Owner to Open Temporary Location

Today's Martha's Vineyard Times reported on the sale of Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven to Dawn Braasch, the bookstore's former events coordinator. Braasch bought the business, which was destroyed in a fire on July 4th, from Jon Nelson and signed a long-term lease with his mother, Ann Nelson, who owns the store's Main Street location.

Braasch, who had moved to the island full-time in 2005 and has worked at the bookstore for the past two years, was interested in buying the bookstore even before the fire. "I think it worked out to be mutually beneficial for all of us," she told the newspaper. "I know Ann was concerned about who would go in there, and she and I had worked together and gotten along well, so all of the way around, I think it has been a good fit."

Until the Main Street location reopens, which may take until late spring, Braasch said she'll run a downsized version of the bookstore in a warehouse location, beginning in mid-November. The store, she said, will carry the best of the former Bunch of Grapes inventory, and wholesalers are committed to providing a two- to three-day turnaround on orders. Ann Nelson is working with Braasch as a consultant, according to the newspaper.

The Vineyard Gazette, which reported on the sale earlier, noted that Braasch's previous work experiences include running a multimillion dollar trucking firm, starting a successful catering company, and teaching preschool in Chilmark, Massachusetts, and in South Carolina.

Schuler's Seeks Liquor License for Downtown Store

The Western Michigan Business Review reports that Bill and Cecile Fehsenfeld, owners of five Schuler Books & Music locations, are hoping to get a liquor license for their newest store, in downtown Grand Rapids. "[The] innovation may solve the problem all downtown small businesses have -- slow evening and weekend business," said the Review.

"The vision is it's an enhancement to the bookstore and our cafe and provides an alternate place where people can relax, browse the books, and enjoy food from our cafe," Bill Fehsenfeld told the Review. "We're feeling this will be able to maybe lengthen our hours into the evening more."

Beer and wine would be added to the bookstore cafe's coffee menu to encourage customers to linger, have dinner, browse the books, relax by the fireplace, or listen to a live concert. Fehsenfeld told the Review that he wants to position the store to take advantage of increased retail traffic brought about by downtown condominium development. Currently, Schuler's downtown store features live music one Friday each month, but the 28th Street store has free weekly concerts, which are well attended, said Fehsenfeld.

Ability to Adapt Key to Kazoo Books' Longevity

This week, the Kalamazoo Gazette featured coverage of Kazoo Books, which this year marks 20 years in business. Owners Gloria Tiller and her husband, James, credit the store's longevity to their love of books, careful planning, and an ability to adapt.

When Gloria Tiller opened Kazoo Books in 1988, the store offered about 5,000 used paperbacks, primarily romances. "I thought I would have this quaint shop where women would come and talk about and buy romance novels," Tiller told the Gazette. "My first customer to come in was a man looking for a mystery novel. That's when I knew I had to adapt if I wanted to stay alive."

Kazoo Books "is not only surviving but thriving when many small bookstores are closing their doors," said the newspaper. "In 2000, the Tillers expanded the store to 3,000 square feet and nearly 60,000 books. Three years later, the Tillers expanded again by buying another bookstore." The two stores now include a wide selection of new and used books, as well as an online ordering system created by James Tiller in 1997. Also helping Kazoo Books to thrive, said the Gazette, are "a space for book groups to meet, places for people to sit, special ordering, and programs with authors."

Gloria Tiller was also instrumental in founding the Buy Local Kalamazoo independent business alliance. "Michigan has been struggling economically," she told BTW in April 2008. "It's the lowest [ranked] state in terms of economic growth. Businesses are struggling, and this alliance is like a lifeline. We want to unite businesses and make ourselves much more visible." Read more.