Books Around the Corner in Gresham, Ore., will be closing its physical location on February 26. Owner Stephanie Csaszar opened the new and used independent bookstore in 2018. Last March, the business transitioned to a genre bookshop, focusing primarily on science fiction, fantasy, horror and mystery. In October, Books Around the Corner relocated to a new space.
On Monday, Csaszar shared her decision to close the bricks-and-mortar side of the business in a social media post, noting: "When it rains it pours. A few lending opportunities I hoped we'd have obtained did not come through. More importantly due to my health issues mounting and having become chronic and so serious suddenly I can no longer run a physical location. I appreciate your concern but I'd prefer to keep these issues private....
"This means Books Around the Corner will be moving virtual and I am actually excited about it. Books Around the Corner will live on because it's not about the physical location but what we offer the community. We'll offer shipping, preorders, virtual book clubs, other virtual events and do occasional pop up and book events as my health allows. I will also be doing book talks and offering more book recommendations. We'll be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day virtually too."
"I appreciate your support over the past few years and hope you will continue to support Spooky and I as we start this new chapter. We'll see you online at book clubs and other events and you can still support us through buying your books from us."