Around Indies

Indie Bookstore to Open in Bryn Mawr

This spring, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, resident Cathy Fiebach plans to open Main Point Books in the neighboring town of Bryn Mawr.

Fiebach, whose background lies in marketing and brand management, has been preparing for the bookstore for more than a year. Main Point will be a 1,700 square feet general bookstore with a strong YA section. The store’s name was chosen by Fiebach in tribute to Bryn Mawr’s legendary Main Point coffeehouse.

“I was trying to channel that old Bryn Mawr feeling of being able to discover things, of seeing things for the first time,” Fiebach told the Maine Line Times. “I don’t want every book I sell to already be on the bestseller list.”

Porter Square Seeks New Owners

After nine successful years of business, Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is looking for new owners. The store is currently operated by Dale Szczeblowski, Carol Stoltz, Jane Dawson, and Jane Jacobs.

“We’ve really been able to establish Porter Square Books as a vital community institution,” said Stoltz. “We have embraced e-books, author events, sidelines and even a cafe — all things a successful book store needs to have in the 21^st century.” Because of this, as well as the increasing popularity of the store, the new owner will be able to take over a healthy business.

Chester County to Reopen in New Space

Kathy Simoneaux, the owner of Chester County Book and Music Co., announced on Saturday that she has signed a lease for a 6,000-square foot storefront two doors down from the store’s former location in the West Goshen Shopping Center.

“It just seems like the perfect size, and of course, it’s the perfect location for us,” Simoneaux told the Daily Local News. “It’s where everyone expects to see us. We’re really thrilled.”

The bookstore closed on February 4 after Simoneaux decided the 37,000-square foot operation wasn’t sustainable. Due to shopping center construction work, the Chester County reopening won’t happen until late spring.

Since she announced the store’s closing, customer support has been overwhelming, Simoneaux said. “I haven’t stopped getting phone messages saying, ‘We really miss you, please let us know when you’re going to reopen.’ It’s been astounding.”

Housing Works and McNally Jackson Collaborate

Two New York City bookstores — Housing Worksand McNally Jackson — are launching the inaugural Downton Literary Festival on April 14. The daylong celebration of the literary culture of New York City will take place at both bookstores throughout the day, followed by a happy hour mingle at Housing Works and an after party at Pravda.

The bookstores aim to showcase the literature and writers of the city, as well as reflect the diversity and creativity that characterizes it. The festival will include a puppet show, a virtual walking tour of NYC literature, writers on their favorite bookstores, and much more.

As the schedule is being finalized, updates will be posted on the bookstores’ event pages.