Jeff Martin, co-founder of Magic City Books in Tulsa, Okla., is moving from the city and will be changing his role at the bookstore. Owned by the nonprofit Tulsa Literary Coalition, Magic City Books was launched in 2017 by Martin, founder of Booksmart Tulsa, and former Tulsa City librarian Cindy Hulsey, who died in 2018. Martin remains president of TLC, which he co-founded with Hulsey in 2015.
In a message posted on social media, Martin wrote: "It's bittersweet news to share, but my wife and I will soon be relocating to Seattle for a new opportunity (day job) and to be closer to her family. This journey over the past 17 years from Booksmart Tulsa (our first grassroots org) to Magic City Books has exceeded my wildest expectations and dreams.
"Please know that I would only consider this move knowing the bookstore and organization were/are in a thriving and stable place with wonderful folks at the helm (board, staff, donors, volunteers). I plan to stay on as president and nearly as involved in programming, marketing, and overall creative guidance as I've always been. I plan to be back many times each year for events, meetings, etc.
"Back in 2018 when we unexpectedly lost our co-founder, Cindy Hulsey, we all understood that life can change in an instant. And since that challenging time, with far more ups than downs, I've strived (with the help of so many) to make a place that would carry on should I ever get hit by a bus or struck by lightning. We've achieved that and I'm so confident that our best days remain in the future.
"Magic City Books is my proudest achievement and so very precious to me. Thank you for all of the support and enthusiasm over these many years. As a nonprofit bookshop we don't have an owner yet so many of you feel a passionate ownership of this special thing and what it represents. I only ask that you take good care of it and each other. If you do, the rest will take care of itself."