Around Indies

University of Virginia Bookstore Hosts “Food Mob”

This Friday, the University of Virginia Bookstore is holding a “Food Mob” to solicit donations for an area food bank that provides services to children, the elderly, people with disabilities, the recently unemployed, and other “food insecure” people whose ranks often grow during the summertime.

Customers who bring non-perishable food items to the donation barrel set up outside the store entrance will receive a 20 percent discount coupon valid until July 31 for any regularly priced U.Va.-imprinted item for sale in the bookstore and free parking for 30 minutes in the university garage.

The bookstore’s Food Mob is being held in conjunction with the “Governor’s Bowl” Food and Fund Drive under way through July 4.

Barrington Books Issues a Summer Reading Challenge

Rhode Island’s Barrington Books is hosting its second annual Summer Reading Challenge for children, with a theme this year of “Fly a Kite.” The bookstore will give away a free book to any child who reads 10 books between now and August 24, store manager Jennifer Massotti told Barrington Patch. “Just as flying a kite high in the sky can take you away to imaginary worlds of fluffy clouds and mythical bird kingdoms,” she said, “so too can a great book.”

Entry forms with suggested reading selections are available in the store, and no purchase is necessary to participate.

Kepler’s Takes a Break to Renovate

Starting July 1, Kepler’s Books & Magazines in Menlo Park, California, will be closed for a short summer break while the Kepler’s 2020 Project team undertakes a major overhaul in the front of the store (new layout, restocking of books) and in the back (new computer systems, new staff training, etc).

The changes were made possible by a strong response to the Kepler’s 2020 Project fundraising campaign, which exceeded its first goal of raising $650,000 by June 15, and is now heading toward its second goal of $1 million by the end of the summer.

Kepler’s will be “ordering lots of new books, restocking the shelves, setting up new computer systems, and changing the store layout.” Work will start on July 1 to ensure the renovations are completed before school starts again. The store’s progress can be followed on the Kepler’s 2020 Project website.

SubText Takes Shape

SubText, the new indie bookstore in the former location of Common Good Books in St. Paul’s historic Blair Arcade building, is developing a character all its own, said The Line. Though a redesign of the space is still ongoing, “it has already taken on a different atmosphere,” with “plenty of soft seating and a red-tufted bar that dates back to the 1940s.” The built-in bookshelves are getting a facelift, too, and will be a design centerpiece.

The bookstore is owned by Sue Zumberge. June Berkowitz, who owns Nina’s Coffee Café, which is above the basement-level bookstore, is a partner in the venture and is helping to offset the cost of rent and utilities. “It’s very cozy,” Berkowitz told The Line. “It’s supposed to be an extension of Nina’s as a community gathering place.” 
   
SubText plans to have its grand opening in September.