Zandbroz Variety in Fargo, N.Dak., will close in June after 33 years in business. The Star Tribune reported that while a buyer "could end up taking helm of the century-old Broadway building and operating a retailer there under a different name, the Danz family--Greg, Renee and daughter Josie--is ending their involvement in the iconic store."
Brothers Jeff and Greg Danz opened their first location in Sioux Falls, S.Dak., in 1989, which remains open. The Fargo store opened in the former Leeby's grocery store and for many years included a coffee shop and eatery in the back called Dakota Soda, which later converted into a space to sell used books. As a bookstore, Zandbroz has been known for stocking regional and lesser-known authors while offering a venue for readings and music, the Star Tribune noted.
"The last few years have been our best ever, and I'd rather go out on top while things are good than any other way," said Greg Danz. "We feel really good about what we've accomplished. The first person I told from Minneapolis was Louise Erdrich; she's a good friend of the store," though he added that he couldn't convince her to open a Fargo outpost of Birchbark Books to take Zandbroz's place.
In a detailed post on Facebook, the family wrote, in part: "Zandbroz has always focused on people. Over the years, we have been blessed with dozens of incredible co-workers, too many to start naming, who we embraced as part of our family. Even though they have moved on, they remain life-long friends, and we take pride in their successes, hopefully inspired by their time at Zandbroz. The other group of incredible people is each of you who have supported us over the years. Our customers have become our sweet community of friends and enriched our tight-knit family. We feel a deep attachment to and appreciation for those we affectionately refer to as Zandbrozians.... You are responsible for all we have achieved, and we hope that you will remember us fondly and carry the Zandbroz mission of community and love with you."