Around Indies

Kepler’s Launches New Series

This week, Kepler’s Books, in Menlo Park, California, announced the launch of its first community-sponsored Arts & Lectures series, which will present a diverse range of sessions with leading authors. The series was produced by the store’s new nonprofit organization, which is committed to featuring literary and cultural events.

“We’re delighted to build on Kepler’s tradition of offering high-quality literary events to the community,” said Praveen Madan, who is leading the project to reinvent Kepler’s bookstore. “Based on extensive community feedback we have planned an active events season with many author events, book-club discussions, writing classes, book swaps, and author visits to local schools. And thanks to extraordinary community support, most of these events are free to the public.”

For more information about the Kepler’s Arts & Lectures series, visit the store’s website.  

Schuler Books and Music Featured

Schuler Books and Music, a store with several locations in Michigan, was featured in MiBizand commended for its ability to remain current amidst 30 years of change. Tom Fehsenfeld and his wife, Cecile founded the company in 1982, and at the end of the month will celebrate the store’s 30^th anniversary by offering customers a 30 percent discount.

The Fehsenfelds remain passionate about the role indies play in towns and cities.

“Bookstores are a central part and intellectual hub of our communities,” Cecile told the paper. “People don’t just come here to pick up a book … they come to talk to people about what to read or to comment about the books they’ve read. Those conversations create a dynamic you can’t replicate online with an algorithm.”

Doylestown Bookshop to Hold Grand Re-Opening

Beginning this weekend, The Doylestown Bookshop in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, will hold a four-day grand reopening celebration to introduce the store under new ownership, reported PhillyBurbs.com.

Glenda Childs, who bought the store from Pat and Phil Gerney upon their retirement in May, said that she hopes to become more involved with the community.

The celebration will feature 19 in-store events, including author signings, musical performances, and events for children.

Salt Lake City Celebrates With The King’s English

On September 10, The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, celebrated 35 years of business. The store offered customers a 35 percent discount, as well as cake and beverages. The community showed its appreciation by giving The King’s English a record-setting day of sales, and the store was also featured on the front page of the Salt Lake Tribune.

“We were just thrilled with the outpouring of support from our customers and community when we celebrated 35 years in business,” said Marketing Manager Jenny Lyons.