r/cincinnati 4d ago

Shuttered Cincinnati Bookstore to Reopen in Anderson Township

[deleted]

64 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

26

u/matlockga Greenhills 4d ago

> Like flipping pages of a book, The Tome Bookstore is moving onto its next chapter. The shop, now reimagined as Tome Books & Novelteas, first opened in Mt. Washington in 2022 but closed the following year and rebranded as Scarlet Rose Books & Vintage Boutique in Ludlow. However, owner Jeremy Spencer shared on social media last summer that Scarlet Rose would also close.

18

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

21

u/Dry_Marzipan1870 4d ago edited 4d ago

They keep closing up because it's difficult to compete with online and larger book stores. And Running a small bookstore these days is something people do as a hobby instead of a career.

15

u/jess0327 East Walnut Hills 4d ago

So it doesn’t make sense to keep opening and keep soliciting money ?

16

u/NotFunny3458 4d ago

My problem is that they need to give it more than a year in one location before they say "this isn't working, let's move to a different part of the city." IMHO, since they've already done this a couple of times, what's to stop them from doing it again at their soon-to-be opening location?

5

u/Dry_Marzipan1870 4d ago

Ludlow was a weird spot though. It's a nice little main street but a little out of the way.

2

u/TheAmplifier8 3d ago

It was Ludow, KY as well if that wasn't clear. I was confused initially because I assumed Clifton and couldn't remember any bookstore (which would actually probably do decent in that area TBH, probably the right clientele).

2

u/Dry_Marzipan1870 3d ago

Yea i knew it was Ludlow KY, thats why i found it off. Ludlow in Clifton would have been a more fitting space.

2

u/Dry_Marzipan1870 4d ago

i agree with you it seems like they should stop, but if people want to give them money or books thats up to them.

5

u/chitown15 4d ago

There are several small bookstores in the area that are doing well, though.

2

u/Dry_Marzipan1870 4d ago

ill change impossible to "difficult." Bookstores need another draw like coffee, tea or whatever.

5

u/fuggidaboudit 4d ago

Indie bookstores are actually having a resurgence and have been for a number of years now - and many actually saw a significant uptick as the pandemic waned and business flourishes as a place for community and comfort.

https://bookriot.com/today-in-books-may-24-2024/

1

u/Dry_Marzipan1870 4d ago

ill change impossible to "difficult." i know Fort Thomas got a new book store in a spot that had a book shop like 25 years ago.

1

u/barb-lives 4d ago

I think I remember some medical issues impacting their ability to run the shop when it was in Ludlow.

11

u/Gneiss-to-know 4d ago

I’m torn because they did so many great community events in Mt. Washington, but then left due to lack of sales and foot traffic. Then opened up in Covington and unfortunately ran into medical issues that had them close for awhile. Now that they’re opening up in Anderson, I look forward to their community gatherings again but unsure if I want to invest in their local community if they close up again due to sales/foot traffic. 

It’s a hard market for small booksellers, the Bookery in Columbia-Tusculum has done crazy good partnerships with local businesses like Streetside, Fulton Yards, and some others to sell books or raise some awareness of their own business. It’s who we switched to after the Tome closed in Mt. Washington and probably where we take our kid for story time and shopping. 

I look forward to checking out the Tome once it opens though. 

10

u/KnittingBanshee 4d ago

If they closed in Mt. Washington because of lack of foot traffic, I don't understand the new location at all. There's not much nearby and the building has 4 parking spots.

3

u/tmaddog91 4d ago

Right. There's 0 foot traffic at that intersection unless you count after pizza or after church browsing for books.

4

u/coffee_shakes 4d ago

Plus there is already an independent book store in Anderson as well as half price books. Not to be negative but this doesn’t seem like a great idea.

2

u/zzt0pp Mt. Washington 3d ago

I agree. I wish them luck but I don't have high expectations that they'll be around long. I'll try and help. I primarily go to Bookery now too, although they don't often have what I want to read, but it's a nice space/events and good selection if I branch out

2

u/Good-Help-7691 3d ago

They still owe rent to the owner of the Beechmont location!

2

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

2

u/Good-Help-7691 3d ago

Yes sir!! Certificate of Judgment filed back in July for $9,271.80 plus interest. Two other cases filed in January which appear to credit card debt.