Newtown Bookshop, Newtown, Pa., is closing, owner Christine Godshall told customers yesterday in an e-mail. Godshall bought the store five years ago when it was in danger of closing.
Late last year Newtown Bookshop had indicated on its website that the store was "at a crossroads. With the struggling economy and the rise of e-books, sales are down significantly. In spite of having many regular loyal customers and successful events, we may have to make some very difficult choices in January."
Godshall said she would miss being "part of Newtown in this special, literary way. Handing a book to a customer and saying, 'I think you'll like this one,' was so gratifying and exciting."
She urged customers to support other independent bookstores, writing, "If you find yourself considering a digital reader, please take a moment and think about which company you wish to see become even more powerful (and then buy anything but a Kindle). Seek out indie bookshops anytime you travel, on your lunch hour, when you visit family and friends. I encourage you to explore Doylestown Bookshop in Doylestown and Farley's Bookshop in New Hope. These proudly independent shops not only sell e-books on their websites, they have staffs that rival our own in book-related knowledge and passion."
