Roberta Dyer and Sally McPherson, co-owners of Broadway Books, Portland, Ore., for 22 years, announced in their e-mail newsletter yesterday that they "would like to sell 50% of the store to someone (or perhaps two people who would each buy 25%) who is as passionate about this neighborhood, and this neighborhood bookstore, as we are." The new owner or owners would then be co-owners with McPherson.
Dyer, who plans to retire at the end of the year, wrote: "I have been a bookseller for 44 years, and I am ready to put aside my professional life and spend more time with my family, do some traveling, garden a bit more, volunteer at a few places I love and read more books. Now is the perfect time for this transition, as my family and I are healthy, and so is the store."
Adding that she is not going away, Dyer said her plans "are to help the store through this change and work occasionally if I can and if they need me.... I can tell you from my heart that you will find no better partner than Sally. She is a totally professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated bookseller. I have known hundreds of booksellers in the past 44 years, and she is my very favorite one." For more information, contact Broadway Books at 503-284-1726 or bookbroads@qwestoffice.net.
