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davis_squareI got this press release in my e-mail today:
New Ownership for Cambridge Bookstore
Porter Square Books Acquired By Local Couple
Cambridge, MA, August 20, 2013 -David Sandberg and Dina Mardell met in a bookstore in the late 1980s. They moved into their first Cambridge home in 1990, continuing their lifetime habits of prowling local independent bookstores. When Porter Square Books opened in 2004, it quickly became one of their favorites-for its location, its ambience, its selection and most important its staff. But David and Dina are about to become much more than just shoppers. On August 18, they completed their purchase of Porter Square Books.
"Every time we browse a good indie bookstore, I pick up a book I had never heard of. Sometimes it's the title, other times a recommendation of the staff," says Dina. "This is an experience that absolutely cannot be duplicated online. That's why we believe in independent bookstores and are so excited to build on the excellent foundation at Porter Square Books."
With the imminent retirement of one owner and two of the others planning their retirements as well, Porter Square Books announced its availability in March. Of the many parties that expressed interest in buying the store, David and Dina were ultimately the strongest option for the owners.
"Dina is an educator and expert in early literacy. David has strong business experience and a background in literature. All that, combined with their obvious devotion to the store and its future, really carried the day," says Carol Stoltz, Porter Square Book's former president. "We believed David and Dina would support the store far into the future, which was our primary goal. Running a bookstore is not easy, and we will do everything we can to help them along."
David and Dina have deep roots in the Cambridge community of which Porter Square Books is such an integral part. They put their two daughters through Cambridge public schools and are involved in many local non-profits, most relating to education or the arts. For them, Porter Square Books is an ideal opportunity. The store has grown every year since its founding in 2004. The staff is as strong as ever. Porter Square Shopping Center is a vibrant, successful location. Plus, the former owners have agreed to stay aboard and smooth the transition, some for a few years. Founding owner Jane Dawson, however, will retire in the coming months.
"We are sorry Jane won't be with us for longer, but she has obviously earned a well-deserved retirement," says David. "In the weeks ahead we will learn as much from her as possible. Then we'll have the luxury of working with Carol, Jane Jacobs and Dale, as well as the rest of this amazing staff, for a long time to come. We have so much to learn from these talented and successful booksellers."
You can reach David and Dina at david@portersquarebooks.com and dina@portersquarebooks.com.
For more information:
Ms. Dina Mardell
Porter Square Books, Inc. Dina@portersquarebooks.com (617) 491-2220
Contact Information
email: ellen@portersquarebooks.com
phone: 617-491-2220
web: http://www.portersquarebooks.com
New Ownership for Cambridge Bookstore
Porter Square Books Acquired By Local Couple
Cambridge, MA, August 20, 2013 -David Sandberg and Dina Mardell met in a bookstore in the late 1980s. They moved into their first Cambridge home in 1990, continuing their lifetime habits of prowling local independent bookstores. When Porter Square Books opened in 2004, it quickly became one of their favorites-for its location, its ambience, its selection and most important its staff. But David and Dina are about to become much more than just shoppers. On August 18, they completed their purchase of Porter Square Books.
"Every time we browse a good indie bookstore, I pick up a book I had never heard of. Sometimes it's the title, other times a recommendation of the staff," says Dina. "This is an experience that absolutely cannot be duplicated online. That's why we believe in independent bookstores and are so excited to build on the excellent foundation at Porter Square Books."
With the imminent retirement of one owner and two of the others planning their retirements as well, Porter Square Books announced its availability in March. Of the many parties that expressed interest in buying the store, David and Dina were ultimately the strongest option for the owners.
"Dina is an educator and expert in early literacy. David has strong business experience and a background in literature. All that, combined with their obvious devotion to the store and its future, really carried the day," says Carol Stoltz, Porter Square Book's former president. "We believed David and Dina would support the store far into the future, which was our primary goal. Running a bookstore is not easy, and we will do everything we can to help them along."
David and Dina have deep roots in the Cambridge community of which Porter Square Books is such an integral part. They put their two daughters through Cambridge public schools and are involved in many local non-profits, most relating to education or the arts. For them, Porter Square Books is an ideal opportunity. The store has grown every year since its founding in 2004. The staff is as strong as ever. Porter Square Shopping Center is a vibrant, successful location. Plus, the former owners have agreed to stay aboard and smooth the transition, some for a few years. Founding owner Jane Dawson, however, will retire in the coming months.
"We are sorry Jane won't be with us for longer, but she has obviously earned a well-deserved retirement," says David. "In the weeks ahead we will learn as much from her as possible. Then we'll have the luxury of working with Carol, Jane Jacobs and Dale, as well as the rest of this amazing staff, for a long time to come. We have so much to learn from these talented and successful booksellers."
You can reach David and Dina at david@portersquarebooks.com and dina@portersquarebooks.com.
For more information:
Ms. Dina Mardell
Porter Square Books, Inc. Dina@portersquarebooks.com (617) 491-2220
Contact Information
email: ellen@portersquarebooks.com
phone: 617-491-2220
web: http://www.portersquarebooks.com
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no subject
Date: 2013-08-20 06:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-20 08:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-20 09:48 pm (UTC)(Though I know I'd love them even more if they'd extend their closing times just a bit. ;) Especially Friday/Saturday nights, when I'm likely to be out for dinner and then wanting to stop by the bookstore afterwards; a closing time of 9 pm's been a bit hampering. I do recognize that they open their doors incredibly early, and that that would make a long day even longer, and that I'm a greedyguts for wanting more. *grin*)
no subject
Date: 2013-08-21 12:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-21 09:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-21 05:49 pm (UTC)