BaileyCoy Books announces closure |
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Seattle Gay News
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posted Friday, November 13, 2009 - Volume 37 Issue 46 BaileyCoy Books announces closureby Shaun Knittel - SGN Staff Writer BaileyCoy Books owner Michael K. Wells announced last week that after serving the Capitol Hill community and greater Seattle population for 26 years, the bookstore will close its doors at the end of November. In a press release, Wells said the decision to close was not an easy one, but the economic downturn of the past year "combined with the rapidly changing world of bookselling, has led us to believe that this is the most responsible decision." He said the bookstore has struggled for the last decade to stay profitable, as have independent bookstores across the country. BaileyCoy Books, founded by Barbara Bailey, began as B. Bailey Books in the Rainier Square building in 1977. According to Wells, in 1982, Barbara Bailey opened a second store on Broadway. In 1983, that store became BaileyCoy Books. Bailey sold her downtown store that same year, making Broadway the store's home. "Barbara created a bookstore that was not only a model of the best in bookstores, but was also specifically designed to welcome Lesbian and Gay clientele," Wells wrote. "The American bookselling landscape at that time included general independents and Lesbian and Gay stores, but rarely did those two models mix. Barbara wanted to create a store where the best in general literature existed side by side with the best in Lesbian and Gay books." Wells says that although today that seems like a fairly pedestrian idea, in 1982, "it was nothing short of revolutionary." In 2003, Bailey retired from the bookselling business and sold the store to Wells, the store's manager since 1989. BaileyCoy Books has been deeply involved in the Capitol Hill community for over 20 years, says Wells. He said the bookstore has been an active participant in the Broadway Business Improvement Area, the Mayor's Task Force on Broadway and the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce. "It is our belief that this bookstore could not have flourished the way it once did in any other Seattle neighborhood," Wells said. "Capitol Hill's history of diversity, eccentricity and a commitment to the arts are a part of our history that we cherish. Capitol Hill rules!" Wells says he urges people to continue to support independent business - especially independent bookstores - because "it makes a world of difference." "We remain proud of our long history with the Seattle LGBT community and the rich and varied culture that that community has supported over the years," he said. "We would like to thank the customers and friends who have come through our doors in the last two decades. Our bookstore is a community that includes all of you." Additionally, Wells said the bookstore is thankful for the hundreds of authors who have read in the store, as well as the Pacific Northwest bookselling community and book lovers everywhere. "We are honored to have been part of your lives," he said. From now until the end of November, Wells said, the store will begin a closing sale with everything in the store marked down 20%. Gift certificates and redeemable book cards will be accepted until the final closing date at the end of the month. |
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