After a Decade, Beloved Grand Rapids Independent Book Store Set to Close
A vital piece of Grand Rapids' East Hills neighborhood is preparing to say goodbye.
Books & Mortar, the "fiercely independent" bookstore known for its vibrant curation and community focus, will officially close its doors in just a few weeks.
A Decade of Community on Cherry Street
The announcement marks the end of a ten-year journey fore the store. Books & Mortar was originally launched in 2016 by Jonathan Shotwell and Christopher Roe at 955 Cherry Street SE. In November 2018, current owner Jenny Kinne took over, steering the business through years of growth and big industry shifts.
Many local book lovers will remember 2021, when the bookstore expanded and moved across the street to its current home at 966 Cherry Street SE. In an awesome display of local spirit, dozens of volunteers showed up for a "book brigade," forming a human chain and passing thousands of books hand-to-hand across the asphalt to fill the new shelves.
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That human chain was a good metaphor for what the shop aspired to be: a community gathering place, an advocacy hub, and a welcoming third space.
Why Books & Mortar is Closing
But keeping an independent bookstore alive requires a lot of unseen heavy lifting. In a pair of candid letters to the community, Kinne shared the real, human toll behind the decision to close, opening up about total burnout and financial sacrifice.
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Since having her daughter June in 2022, Kinne has balanced a full-time job elsewhere while managing a team of booksellers to keep operations running. During that time, the store began operating at a loss. To protect her staff's wages, Kinne stopped paying herself and took on significant personal debt to keep the business afloat.
"The hard and unshakable reality is that I am completely burned out," Kinne wrote, expressing deep gratitude for the neighborhood that sustained her dream. "Some of the best things in life come to an end, and that's okay. The ending doesn't erase their beauty or their impact."
Before making the difficult choice to close, Kinne spent more than six months actively trying to find a buyer to save the shop, hitting several dead ends along the way. She followed up her initial announcement with an additional post to offer total transparency about the hard financial realities of running the storefront, noting that the internet can often be a harsh place.
Book & Mortar Closing Details
While the physical storefront is closing, the impact of Books & Mortar will continue to be felt. For those who want to browse the shelves one last time, say thank you, and support the team, regular hours run through August 1st.
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The shop plans to have some sale days leading up to their final celebration August 8th. After that, some of the portions of the online store will remain active.
Keep an eye on their social media pages for additional updates.
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Gallery Credit: Janna
