David and Ann LeBreton, co-owners of Edgartown Books, Edgartown, Mass., plan to close their 10-year-old bookstore on Martha's Vineyard later this winter. The Vineyard Gazette reported that the LeBretons own the building and will rent the space.
"We want to move away from the bookselling business. It's been a wonderful experience, and this just seemed like the right time," said LeBreton. "We would love to see somebody sweep in and put a bookstore in there. It's all set up for it."
The decision leaves Bunch of Grapes, Vineyard Haven, as the only bookshop remaining on the island, but LeBreton noted that he still believes there is room for two shops despite the challenges faced from Amazon: "For a bookstore on an island like the Vineyard, to do 60% of your business three months, I don't think we are that badly affected. Our Martha's Vineyard bookstore core audience is still in place."
