Emerson Sistare, owner of the Toadstool Bookshops in Keene and Peterborough, N.H., has purchased ALRAN Books, an educational bookseller based in Harrisville, N.H., the Keene Sentinel reported.
Emerson Sistare |
Founded by Alison Weber nearly 30 years ago, ALRAN Books sells directly to public schools both within N.H. and around the country. It offers trade books, educational material, and professional development materials for teachers and administrators, sourced from more than 350 publishers.
The sale closed last month, and Weber plans to stay on as a consultant for three years to help Sistare learn the idiosyncrasies of the business. Weber noted that the acquisition will allow Sistare to "diversify his market" and reach educators outside of N.H.
"It's been a great experience," Weber told the Keene Sentinel. "There's a good time for things to come to an end, though. Emerson, he's got a lot of great energy, and I'm excited for where he'll take things."
Last year, Sistare and his family purchased two Toadstool Bookshops from Willard and Holly Williams. The Williams family founded the bookstore in 1972.