The organizers of the Open Book bookstore cooperative announced that they have reached an agreement with Milwaukee-based Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc. to lease the 10,000-square-foot space at 4093 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, which was formerly occupied by a Harry W. Schwartz bookstore.
The Open Book store will be member-supported. Membership will include a 10 percent discount on book purchases at the store. The store will also include a 400-square-foot café. The store is expected to open on Nov. 1.
“Many people in this area miss the Schwartz bookstore and now they can pick up where the relationship left off this spring (when that store closed), with many of the original staff ready to serve their book buying wants and needs,” said Keith Schmitz, Open Book organizer.
However, the co-op store needs to attract more members to open, said Open Book board member Kit Vernon.
“The store will not open unless we can reach enough memberships to cover our start-up costs and this must be raised by September,” he said.
Those interested in joining the Open Book coop can get more information at www.openbookcoop.com.
