« May 2003 |
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Dear Readers,
I've been more than remiss in getting out this next newsletter installment - my apologies for all delays. There has been lots of activity and much to update you on.
Before going too far, big CONGRATULATIONS are due to our store manager, Steve Smith, on his June marriage to his lovely bride, Linnea. And a huge welcome to the 9lb 1oz addition of ELLA SABBIA, born to Just Books employee Richard and his wife. We're excited for Steve and Richard and thrilled to have the Just Books family grow!
There is more change to talk about - Just Books will be consolidating operations to a single location this August. We love Just Books and Just Books, Too but have found that it really would make better business sense to consolidate our retail operations to our location at Just Books, Too in Old Greenwich. I choose the word consolidate carefully. Just Books is not going away. Some of you have spoken with me about the differences between Just Books and Just Books, Too. I continue to be fascinated by the difference that 5 miles can make in how a business looks, feels and operates.
Our store in Old Greenwich has a lot of foot traffic - people in all day long browsing, ordering and convening. Our store in Greenwich is much more of a destination - people often call ahead to place an order and then stop in to pick up their order. I've spent a lot of time noodling on how best to optimize the business so that all of our customers can be satisfied while the business is positioned to be as strong as possible. My solution - albeit one made with mixed emotions - is to close the retail space in Greenwich, add a pick-up location at the Greenwich Photo Shop (just down the street from our current location on Putnam Avenue; same parking lot … different door), add a delivery service and focus on our event programming, book clubs, children's programs and our Just Books, Too location.
Our phone number will remain the same - you can keep calling the number for Just Books and talk with our same great staff people to order your books, ask whatever questions you wish and have your books sent hither and yonder. Our store in Old Greenwich is open 7 days a week and has all the same services and knowledgeable, wise and friendly staff that you are used to. We will still service your out-of-print orders; choose Book-of-the-Month selections and wrap and send them with care; and visit with you either in person or on the phone. In short, Just Books is consolidating and focusing on all that we do well so that we can do it even better.
PLEASE know that you, our readers, our friends, our Just Books extended family, are so incredibly vital and important to all of us at Just Books. We have had a presence in Greenwich since 1949 and while we are changing where we are we are most definitely not changing who we are or what we do.
You are ALL invited to a party to celebrate Just Books, introduce you to Just Books, Too (in the event that you have not met Just Books, Too) and just mingle with other Just Books extended family members on August 10 at 7 PM at the Arcadia Coffee Co. Join us for a glass of wine, a slice of cheese and a great evening.
We're moving into the heavy summer days and the very best part of the season for a good read and we've compiled a list of summer books for you to pick up and savor.
Be sure to check our events schedule - we're still finalizing a lot of events so keep your eyes out for our late summer installment. We're all ready for the big Harry Potter party on July 15th, working on the menu for our annual Linda Greenlaw event (this year she's bringing her mother!) and gearing up for our Medieval Feast on August 22nd for the release of Eldest - we have something for everyone this summer.
Thank you all for your amazing support, kindness and friendship.
Jenny, Thomas, Thomas and Nicholas Lawton
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