By 1812Blockhouse
It’s a sad day on Main Street.
In an announcement on its website, Mansfield’s “Bookstore Lady,” Llalan Fowler, manager of Main Street Books, announced that the county’s only independent bookstore will be closing.
The last day for the store will be on Saturday, September 26.
In the post, Fowler shared words of gratitude.
“As the manager for over nine years, I want to thank all of you who have supported the bookstore. It’s not easy for independent bookstores to survive anywhere, but is especially challenging in little towns like Mansfield. I fought day in and out to keep the bookstore open, but it was ultimately a losing battle,” the statement shared.
Main Street Books was, of course, more than a place to buy the latest novel. The store had a full range of events, from poetry nights, to author readings, to crafts and art displays, to book clubs. It was truly an anchor store in downtown Mansfield. It’s sandwich board signs were the stuff of local legend.
A Facebook post shared on Tuesday morning was already a busy place for commenters.
Bloomberg recently asked the question, “Can independent bookstores survive Covid-19?” In part, the article shared, “Bookstores are cultural hubs in any community, central to the fabric of shared values and interests that make towns and cities vital. They lend character to a place and give residents and book lovers a sense of belonging. They often are as central to some people’s private lives as local houses of worship or their homes.”
1812Blockhouse shares our thanks for serving in that role and best wishes to all involved with Main Street Books for a successful and fulfilling future.
Old Soul Vintage Attire & Records at 106 North Main will also be closing, with its last day being Friday, September 25.
