|
Sorry, We're Closed: Farewell in a Cookbook
Dear Editor:
Floors stand bare, shelves empty. Dust surfaces and sneezing echoes through deserted space. The dust around this home, home to books and their readers - has surfaced- at Cold Spring's Merritt Bookstore.
But Merritt isn't moving. This Cold Spring location, one of three regional Merritt Bookstores, closed. Its books and furnishings have been moved out of its leased space. Its carved wooden "Welcome" sign won't be greeting the community in a new location. The street side chalkboard announcing local readings and book sales of the week has been wiped clean.
Wide-planked wooden floors, high walls lined with books and displays of work by local authors set Merritt Books apart from the franchises and electronic bookstores. And Merritt's manager, Eileen Charbonneau, brought Merritt to life in a way that a fresh spray of flowers enhances the most modest café. A brilliant novelist, meticulous editor and noted theatrical consultant, among her many talents, even Eileen could not breathe another year of existence into the bookstore that for nearly four years graced a street filled with unique restaurants, friendly pubs, antique shops, and exclusive retail stores.
The store's owner, Scott Meyer, had hoped to sell the business as a turnkey transaction. A few lookers showed interest but the prospect of buying a retail operation that wasn't making money drew no buyer.
In late January, as I browsed what little remained on the shelves, I knew there was another page-turner in my future. All of the children's Magic Tree House books were gone, so my kids were out of luck. But, as one of those customers who will miss the local haunt, I found my farewell volume. I reached for a thick, colorfully striped hardback and thumbed through it. A New Way to Cook by Sally Schneider was the last cookbook left on the property. At 4.1 pounds, I sensed this 756- page culinary bible would be worth its weight. It was marked at 60 percent off, shelved with the out-of-print volumes. Eileen gave the book her personal test, opening it and letting the pages randomly fall to determine a good place to start experimenting. Sally Schneider's Desserts chapter appeared. Delicious. Though Merritt could find no recipe for success on Main Street in Cold Spring, I'll remember its farewell in the aroma of good things from the kitchen.
Finally, Eileen posted the "Closing Soon" sign and slashed prices on the store's inventory. During its final days, only a few books remained along with the last of some lostand found items. Children's sweaters and small mittens left behind from Merritt's Story Time went unclaimed. The store also offered a box of free books and CDs to show customer appreciation.
One thing is certain. Merritt liked its customers. It just needed more of them.
Mary Ann Ebner
West Point
| Click ads below
for larger version
System and Method for Display
Ads have a Patent Pending.
Click Here for More Information
|
