"Have you ever dreamed of owning a bookstore...?" asked Eric and Ev Wilska, co-owners of the Bookloft, Great Barrington, Mass., in an announcement yesterday that their bookshop, which opened in 1974, is for sale. They noted that "with our kids far-flung and our first grandchild on the way, with enormous gratitude for 42 rewarding years of bookselling, and with many life dreams still unrealized (many of them involving the reading, writing, creating and selling of books)," the "bittersweet decision" was made that it was time to sell.
"It is our intention to find a new owner who will not only carry on with all that's made the Bookloft a beloved literary destination in the Berkshires, but who will also bring to it new energy, experience and ideas," the Wilskas wrote. "The essential building blocks for success are already in place: a loyal customer base, a smart, experienced, dedicated staff, the technology tools that allow us to remain current and relevant, and a warm, welcoming environment. In addition, we're willing to work with new owners to ensure a smooth transition.
"All it will take is someone who is passionate about books and all that they represent, someone who genuinely enjoys interacting with people and wants to see their literary needs well-served, someone with enough good judgment and business sense to lead a team of top-notch booksellers."
For more information, contact the Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates at 904-277-2664 or by e-mail at MKaufman@PazBookBiz.com.
