Marshall’s Bound to Read closing its doors
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MARSHALL - Since it was unable to find a buyer, Marshall's only bookstore, Bound to Read, is set to close by the end of the month.
Personal reasons, along with the tough economy, competition and technology were a few of the reasons why owner Mary Suelflow put the store on the market a few months ago.
"It was in November when we decided to put the store up for sale," Suelflow said.
Suelflow opened Bound to Read at Market Street Mall five years ago, and the store moved into its downtown location in August. Before that, she was assistant manager at B Dalton.
Suelflow said the economy has affected businesses, big and small.
"All retailers have felt the crunch," Suelflow said.
Independent bookstores have also been challenged, not only by the large chain stores, but the Internet as well, Suelflow said.
"It is a very big challenge for one person, despite the excellent staff and wonderful customers who I will miss very much," Suelflow said.
Technology, such as Kindles, e-books and online books, also played a factor, Suelflow said.
Bound to Read was home to a few book clubs, such as the Third Wednesday club, the Jane Austen book club and the American Girl book club.
"The clubs were all successful and enjoyed by a lot of people," Suelflow said.
Suelflow said she tried to find a buyer because she wanted to keep a bookstore in town.
"It will be a loss to the community as well," Suelflow said.
Bound to Read's last day will be Feb. 23.
- Cindy Votruba
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MMoyer
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02-13-09 7:25 AM
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I agree, merioncooper, but every time I visited Bound to Read (I admit, I never went to the new location; I gave up some time ago), the selection was poor (and what they did have, I could get cheaper at K-Mart--not to mention that they were always out of stock of the book club books, so I could never join) and the staff, while friendly, weren't very helpful. I wanted to support a local bookstore, but couldn't support that one.
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rangeral
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02-12-09 1:45 PM
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We need a book store in Marshall.
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merioncooper
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02-12-09 11:10 AM
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Very unfortunate. A town of Marshall's size and supposedly well-educated, professional workforce should have supported a bookstore.
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