Congratulations to Weller Book Works, Salt Lake City, Utah, which is celebrating 85 years of bookselling on Saturday, August 23, with an open house in its beautiful store in Trolley Square.
The open house kicks off at 2 p.m. with "long-time customer and friend" John Keahey reading from and signing his latest book, Hidden Tuscany: Discovering Art, Culture, and Memories in a Well-Known Region's Hidden Places (Thomas Dunne Books). From 5-9 p.m., the store will offer treats, music and a prize or two. Owners Tony and Catherine Weller will make remarks at 7:30 p.m.
In addition, to commemorate of 85 years of bookselling, Weller Book Works is offering fans of its Facebook page a chance to win one of two $85 gift certificates.
Weller Book Works began in 1929 as Zion Book Store, founded by Gustav Weller. Weller's many children, including Sam Weller, worked in the bookstore as they grew up. Sam Weller took over the bookstore, then on 200 South, following his service in World War II. He and his wife, Lila, built what became known as Sam Weller's Books into a nationally recognized store, with a particularly strong selection of books on the West. Sam retired in January 1997 following the loss of his eyesight, and Lila retired shortly after. Their son Tony Weller began managing the bookstore in 1990, expanded its rare books department and supervised the move in 2012 to its fifth location, in Trolley Square, where it changed its name to Weller Book Works. Catherine Weller began working for the store in 1994. Now in the third generation of family ownership, Weller Book Works sells a range of new, used and rare books.
