Book'em Mysteries to Close

BOOK'em Mysteries, South Pasadena, CA, will close April 30 after 24 years in business. The Star-News described co-owners Mary Riley and Barry Martin as "loath to leave. However, they said it's time to say goodbye."

"I think it's time. You reach a point in your life when you feel you've accomplished something," said Martin. "We are heartened by our customers who have supported us over the years. Many are more than customers. They're friends."

"We've always considered this a people business," Riley added. "We went into it and did it so we could be around people and improve the lives of people somehow."

Martin hopes the store will be remembered for what it truly was: "A sense of community; a place where you can go and not be judged; a place where you can go and have a conversation outside of politics or whatever is going on. A place where people can come and talk about books. Our emphasis has always been books and people."

-- From ShelfAwareness