State of the Arts Blog

Indie bookseller The Bookcase to close

The Bookcase, an independent Wayzata bookstore that has been in business for more than 50 years, will close soon.

Owner Charlie Leonard broke the news in an e-mail and on Facebook, telling customers that changing shopping habits, as well as local redevelopment and road construction, caused a dramatic drop in sales.

"It was a drop that we hoped we could weather," Leonard wrote, "as we have a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm for what the 'new' Wayzata is going to look like in a few years. But, in the end, we can no longer afford to stay in business."

Leonard said the oldest Twin Cities independent bookstore will close its doors on Oct 18.