Judy and Byron Nelson, owners of Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop, La Verne, Calif., are closing the 28-year-old bookstore this month but will continue to operate Mrs. Nelson's Book Fair Company and Mrs. Nelson's Library Services, which are located in Pomona. Mrs. Nelson's Book Fair Company provides book fairs to more than 400 schools, reading conferences and festivals each year, and is managed by daughter Laura Nelson. Mrs. Nelson's Library Services, run by son Patrick Nelson, offers book ordering, binding and rebinding services for school and library books.
In an announcement about the closing, the Nelsons stated that "the retail business is changing and now has an emphasis on 'big box' discount stores. Additionally, the surge in popularity of online sales and e-books has resulted in enormous changes in the book market. Mrs. Nelson's is unable to compete with these trends."
The Nelsons thanked "for all the children, parents and educators, who have supported our store over the past three decades. We are honored to have shared our love of children's literature with you."
The Nelsons own the store's building, according to the Los Angeles Times. Judy Nelson has been involved in local politics for several years, joining the Republican Party district committee, the Glendora City Council and now mayor pro tem.
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The Booklovers Bookstore, Aiken, S.C., is closing its storefront location January 22 but will continue to operate online, the Aiken Standard reported. The store will offer new and used books, with orders accepted via Internet or phone. Customers who want to avoid shipping charges may pick up orders at another store in the shopping center where Booklovers Bookstore is currently located.
Fran Bush, who owns the store with her husband, Don, and daughter, Angela Poe, told the paper: "It was a very hard decision. Like every small business around, this economy hasn't helped us, but if it was just that, we could have possibly hung on. But with me getting sick just about every time I walk in the door of the store, it's not just worth it."