Out West Books, which opened in 2014 at 533 Main St. in Grand Junction, Colo., has been put up for sale and will close later this year if a buyer is not found.
In a social media post, owner Marya Johnston wrote: "After 11 years in business and 30+ years of bookselling, I have made the difficult decision to retire from the bookselling profession. I am ready to move on to a new chapter. It has been my absolute pleasure to spend the last 11 years as a part of Grand Junction's reading community, however I've come to realize that life is short and I want to spend more time with my family--as a result, I have put Out West Books up for sale. Should the store not sell, I will close the doors in the early fall."
Noting that she is passionate about books and bookselling and her heart will always lie with the book community, Johnston observed: "YOU are the reason I love what I do. What a joy it has been to see children who attended our story times as toddlers now come into the store as young adults. (I can only hope that this little bookstore has played some small part in their success... and they will be successful because they are at home in a bookstore.) It has been happily fulfilling to put the right books into the hands of the right person, to educate recent residents and visitors about the wonders and history of the area, to get to know you as customers and then as friends....
"If we do not see each other in the coming months, please know your support and encouragement has meant the world to me. I saw a niche that needed to be filled, filled it, and you encouraged and championed this little Independent Bookstore from humble beginnings to become a well known part of the community. I will miss it--and all of you--dearly."
For more information, check out the real estate listing here.