Jenn Carlson is the new owner of Sparta Books, Sparta, N.J. The bookshop, which is more than 50 years old, had been put up for sale by owners Donna and Bill Fell in 2019, prior to the pandemic.
Carlson announced the acquisition of the store on Facebook recently, adding: "Thank you to everyone who has supported us through the process.... I'm so excited to welcome everyone and get to know the wonderful and loyal readers that make this store so unique and special. You'll get to know my family as well--my husband, Brad, and our two boys, Ty & Brody.
"Thank you to the Mondragons for all that you did to pull the little store through the Covid-19 shut down last year. And to Linda Schurmann and Susan Perricone, the amazing women that have worked here for years, and to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. Without them Sparta Books would no longer be here for us all to enjoy. Please stop by and thank them. Inventory is very low and it will take a week or two to build some of it back up, but gift cards are available again!"
On Instagram this week, Carlson added: "As the new owner of Sparta Books, I'm proud and excited to keep this treasured bookstore in our community. We're a local family, and maintaining the charm and small-town feeling found here is as important to us as it is to you. Hope to meet you all soon!"