Post-Harvey, Texas Booksellers Face Different Realities and Challenges

This content has been archived. It may no longer be accurate or relevant.

From Publishers Weekly:

As the water receded from Houston and relief efforts started to reach the coast of Texas, the news arrived that Lori’s Book Nook in the city of Rockport, Tex., was destroyed during Hurricane Harvey.

“The roof blew off and other parts caved in on the building, so the contents of the bookstore are pretty much gone,” said Lori Koviac, who co-owns the business with her mother, Darlene Varner. “Books do not do well in the rain.” Koviac, who hopes to re-open the store, said such an effort will “take quite a bit of time.”

Lori’s Book Nook, which sells new and used titles, has been in business for 14 years. Koviac, who’s been living in a hotel for days, said the “small, family-run” store doesn’t have the funds to re-purchase all of its stock. “We are hoping to receive some book donations to help start us out,” she said, adding that “a small insurance policy” may be of some help.

. . . .

At Brazos Bookstore, also in the West University district, store manager Benjamin Rybeck noted that things were getting back to normal, but business was light. Rybeck said one customer, who had lost his home in the storm and was staying at a nearby shelter, was eager to restock his personal library. “The first thing he did was come here and buy a couple of books.”

Link to the rest at Publishers Weekly