July 14, 2023 – West Bend, Wi – As news broke this week that a new women’s clothing store would open in the Paradise Pavilion came the recollection of the old Book World bookstore. Torrid, a plus-size women’s clothing outlet, will open this October 2023 at 1602 S. Main Street, the former home of Book World in West Bend.
In October 2017 the announcement was made that Book World, 1602 S. Main Street, in West Bend was closing. Actually, Book World announced it would close all 45 stores in seven states.
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Book World, which touts itself as ‘family owned since 1976,’ opened its store in the Paradise Pavilion in August 2014.
The last day for the store in West Bend will be Friday, Jan. 19, 2018.
“Since the liquidation sale was announced on Nov. 1, the incredible support of our loyal customers has allowed us to be one of the last stores closed in our chain,” said store manager Dr. Robert Burg.
“That is a true testament to the relationship we have had with the larger community, and we remain very thankful for that.”
Burg will oversee operations and the deeply discounted store sales including store fixtures, until end of business at 8 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2018.
Speaking of books, neighbors also brought up recollections of a much-loved bookstore owned by Gary and Karen Christianson. The husband-and-wife team ran the popular Fireside Books & Gifts for more than 30 years until January 2014 when they made the difficult decision to close.
Tough decision for Fireside Books & Gifts January 4, 2014
Some interest is being generated on the sale of West Bend’s hometown bookstore, Fireside Books & Gifts.
“Despite our accountant’s advice we put a sign in the store, feeling that a local person who knows the business might be interested and we’ve had several people contact us. We’re hoping something will come together,” said Karen Christianson, co-owner of Fireside Books with her husband Gary.
After more than 30 years in business the Christiansons are selling the shop at 1331 W. Paradise Dr. “My husband had some health problems,” Christianson said. “It was a hard decision but balanced against health you have to say this is what we’re going to do.”
The Christiansons have posted the store on Craig’s List, and they sent an email blast along with direct-marketing mailings to gift and book shop owners in southeast Wisconsin. The latest step has been the basic ‘For Sale’ sign in the store window.
“We’ve operated in a high-traffic location for the last 15 years and the big bonus is our 30-year history of success,” said Christianson. “This is not a start-up business; we have wonderful staff that’s trained and can help customers find books, even out-of-print books. It’s such a pleasant business to be in because people want what you have to sell.”
A profitable business, Christianson said the competition with e-books and ordering online hasn’t really affected them. “We have maintained a good, strong customer base and a lot of people are moving away from e-books, except for vacation reading because they just like the feeling of a book.
“Also, many more people say they really like the experience of coming to the store and supporting local merchants; don’t want to be dealing with an Amazon that doesn’t even create local jobs,” Christianson said.
Questioned whether they would close if the business is not sold by a certain timeline, Christianson said they “haven’t made that decision yet, we’ll see what happens.”
“Lots of people are saying ‘we don’t want to see this business go away and we want you to find somebody,’” said Christianson.
Across town there was another bookstore on S. Main Street that closed in January 2018.
Shopped the book store often.
Got to meet Barry Alverez, then coach of the Wisconsin Badgers there.
If they didn’t have the book you wanted they ordered it for you
Had great customer service!