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| At Morgenstern Books: Rick Morgenstern, operations manager Sandy Hayes, Mitch Teplitsky | |
Morgenstern Books, the Bloomington, Ind., bookstore that closed in 1996, opened Monday in a new location at 849 S. Auto Mall Rd. WFIU News reported that the store "saw a busy first day, with its parking lot full of customers wanting to support the local business. The opening date was originally set in 2019, but the pandemic caused a delay as more funding was gathered. The store plan will have some of its old characteristics--like a community space that can be reserved and occasional live entertainment. But new ideas like a coffee café and selling local artisan goods are planned too."
Earlier this year, the Indiana Daily Student noted that Rick Morgenstern, who was the original owner, had partners in the revived bookstore. Mitch Teplitsky, who handles public relations and communications for Morgenstern Books, said the impetus for the reopening came in 2018, when Morgenstern "published a letter in the Herald-Times asking former customers how they felt about him reopening. The response to the letter was extremely positive."
Morgenstern Books chronicled its "soft opening" on Facebook, including posts on the anticipation ("Are you ready for the long-awaited return of Morgenstern's?"); the founder ("A comeback for the ages: 25 years after Rick closed the original Morgenstern's, the beloved bookstore is back!"); the bookshelves ("The amazing Jerry Maners (right) designed and built the beautiful oak bookcases throughout the store. Someone buy this man a coffee! For a year!"); and many community members who stopped by to express their support for the new venture."