Longtime bookseller Mary Ellen Wood will retire from Schuler Books, which operates bookstores in Grand Rapids, Okemos, Ann Arbor, & West Bloomfield, Mich., on May 16, after 33 years with the company.
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| Mary Ellen Wood | |
Schuler Books described Wood as "an essential part of our story since 1991," when she began her career by helping to launch the bookstore's first expansion, in Okemos, Mich., as the general manager. After two decades leading and growing that location, Wood was promoted to her current position of head book buyer in 2011, and "has played a key role in curating the inventory across all of Schuler Books' locations, while always remaining engaged with her local community...
"One of Mary Ellen's most meaningful contributions during her time at Schuler Books has been her mentorship," the company continued. "She has guided and inspired countless booksellers with her keen sense for connecting readers to books that inform, inspire, and reflect their lives. Her philosophy of both buying and managing has played a significant role in our company's evolution."
Founding owners Cecile and Bill Fehsenfeld said, "When we met Mary Ellen, we knew almost immediately that she would be an excellent choice to lead our first expansion outside our hometown. Mary Ellen is a consummate bookseller, who shares our vision of what makes a great independent bookstore. Her strong leadership, care for our customers and love of books have left an impact on our Okemos store that will be felt for many years. And as head buyer, her great gift for curating an outstanding selection of titles has made a lasting impact on all four of our stores. We are thankful for her decades with us."
With Wood's retirement, Kim Fox, a 25-year Schuler Books veteran, will become head book buyer. Schuler Books noted that Fox "brings a wealth of experience and heart to the position, and we look forward to this next chapter in our journey."