Magnolia & Main Books in Ridgeway, Va., will close on Saturday, August 29. Owner Traci Knight Morton, who opened the bookstore at 810 Main St. in May 2024, announced last January that she would be closing the bricks-and-mortar location and switching to a pop-up model. In February, however, Morton said she would be staying open after being "inundated with offers to help."
In a social media post earlier this month, Morton said the bookstore's closure was on again: "And if you're wondering, 'is she really closing this time.' Yes. I've put my notice in with the mayor's office, which I rent from. They're awesome landlords. Couldn't have asked for better.
"Brutally honest reasons: I'm just tired y'all. As many of you know, I work another job and help my parents out as much as I can. Between both jobs, I work 7 days a week. It's just stressing me out. If I want a day off, I have to find someone that can work, and make sure I can pay them. I have several that are always willing, if their schedules allow, and I am soo grateful for them. They don't even want to be paid, but I just can't do that.
"Sales have been down this summer. I've known from the beginning I was in a terrible location, and I am thankful y'all made the trip to Ridgeway just to come to the bookstore. But it's a rare month that I can take even a small check, and I stay stressed out about paying the bills.... I'm not leaving y'all stranded though. We have the new Chapter & Hearth Booksellers, and coming soon is Haven Hollow Bookstore. Plus we have some great bookstores in the adjoining counties. MHC is no longer a book desert!! Love you all!"