April 18, 2022, 12:28pm
Some sad news coming out of the Boston area today: the Children’s Book Shop in Brookline Village, Mass., will close its doors after 45 years.
Dear Customers:
We are sad to report that The Children’s Book Shop will close its doors on April 30, 2022. We have provided good books, great service and long-lasting memories for young readers and their families for 45 years in our welcoming Brookline Village store. pic.twitter.com/hpOLLzCU8P
— The Children’s Book Shop (@TCBS_Brookline) April 16, 2022
As reported by Publishers Weekly earlier this morning:
Despite a successful GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $30,000 at the start of the pandemic, the lack of foot traffic and the inability to switch to online bookselling in a meaningful way forced the closure of the 900 sq. ft. store, the area’s oldest independent children’s bookstore.
The tiny neighborhood bookstore was founded in 1977 by Elizabeth “Rusty” True Browder and purchased by former librarian Terri Schmitz in 1985. Under Schmitz’s tenure, the Children’s Book Shop received the Women’s National Book Association Pannell Award in 2000 for best children’s bookstore, as well as a Best of Boston Award from Boston Magazine in 2002 for Best Children’s Bookstore. For 25 years Schmitz also ran an annual spring poetry contest for children in grades K–8.
Farewell to an institution that exemplifies the best of what independent bookstores can do. Curation (I think Terri might roll her eyes and say “taste”), expertise, service, and community. It will live on in memory and spirit. https://t.co/gbZx2p3b4u
— Ben White (@Ohokfinefine) April 16, 2022
😢 Sad news. #SupportIndependentBookstores ! I’ve loved going into the Children’s Book Shop, chatting about kids’ books and using my teacher discount to add to my collection. And their window displays were the best, esp. the poetry contest every April (National Poetry Month)! 📚 https://t.co/MK4sDXmTq1
— Meg Daly (@MegDaly13) April 16, 2022
The Children’s Book Shop @TCBS_Brookline is closing, after 45yrs.😢 I wrote about TCBS in 2017, for its 40th anniversary for @BrooklineTAB It was fantastic to write about this local icon of a shop. Its owner was lovely+passionate about her work here. (1/3) https://t.co/wKAWemtFSU
— C.S.J.👩🏾🎤🐞🐨👽📝📚💄🛼 (@LavishRebelShae) April 16, 2022
Schmitz will be holding an inventory sale this week and has asked that anyone who would like to share messages or memories of the Children’s Book Shop contact her via email.