Good news: Carla Jimenez and Leslie Reiner, who founded Inkwood Books, Tampa, Fla., 21 years ago, have sold the store, effective April 1, to Stefani Beddingfield, a longtime customer.
"We are proud to have the opportunity to pass forward a vibrant, healthy bookstore to Stefani, and are confident the new Inkwood will take great care of our devoted patrons as well as the new customers attracted by the fresh--admittedly younger--steward," Jimenez said.
Jimenez is retiring and plans to volunteer in the community and be an advocate for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and other causes. Reiner will work part-time at Inkwood and will continue to be involved in literacy work in the Tampa area. Both expressed gratitude for "the wonderful staff" they have worked with over the years, and for "the enduring friendships with customers and bookselling colleagues."
Beddingfield will retain Inkwood's name and location, as well as many of the store's services and events but will introduce "new and different ideas as well." Beddingfield has been a stay-at-home mom and achieved the impressive feat of raising $450,000 to build Freedom Playground at MacFarlane Park, Tampa's first universally accessible playground, the Tampa Bay Times said. "The mother of two wanted a place where her daughter, Sarah, now 13, could play with other children while in her wheelchair."
Speaking about her interest in Inkwood Books, Beddingfield told the paper, "I wanted something where I could still work in the community and with people. I love to read, and it seemed like a right time for my girls and something that we could do together as a family. It's a good fit.''
In Inkwood's announcement, she also joked about another reason she wanted to buy the store: "I will keep the tradition of reciting a poem at Inkwood for 15% discount to celebrate April's Poetry Month. I'm still smarting from being disqualified with my limerick recitation years ago, so in essence this is all coming full circle, and now I will finally get my discount!"
She has attended Prospective Booksellers School and ABA's Winter Institute and worked with the owners for months. "I am grateful to Leslie and Carla for this 'next chapter' in my life and look forward to promoting Inkwood's passion for books, reading and community," Beddingfield said. She also praised Inkwood's booksellers.
To thank the community for 21 years of happy bookselling and encourage a farewell/welcome visit, Inkwood is having a "Hats Off, Half Off Sale," with everything in stock 50% off through Saturday, March 30.
In announcing the special sale, the staff wrote: "If you've browsed our lovingly curated shelves; found the perfect book you didn't even know you were looking for; met an admired author at a signing; or laughed along with Carla and Leslie during Book Group Nights, please come out during this week and show some love and gratitude for these two tremendous ladies who have poured their passion for books, literacy, people and their community into the Bay area for the past two decades. Inkwood Books is a true gem that our city is immensely fortunate to have, and thanks to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of Inkwood's originators, we can be sure to expect many more years of unmatched bookselling from our little yellow house."