Business & Tech
Eclectic Bookshop With Over 75 Years Of History To Close In Bethany
"The truth is, my owning a bookshop made about as much sense as an alcoholic tending bar," the owner wrote.
BETHANY, CT — A unique bookshop that's been around since 1948 is closing its doors. Whitlock's Book Barn operates in "two weather beaten barns sitting amid a scenic pasture" and will be closing this spring, according to its website.
"When my wife and I purchased the shop a quarter century ago I entertained fantasies of someday retiring there," the closure announcement reads. "The truth is, my owning a bookshop made about as much sense as an alcoholic tending bar. I love to read, yes. But the buying and selling of books? Well, I never did have the time to learn. I don't believe there was a year we ever broke even, much less made a profit."
The bookstore is located on Sperry Road in Bethany, just minutes from downtown New Haven and Yale University, according to the website. Whitlock's is a buyer and seller of used books, rare books, old maps, and ephemera.
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"The barns are a place of magic and memory for folks from all over the world," the closure announcement reads. "I recall a wonderful note from a Parisian when we first bought the place, thanking us for keeping it alive."
A link to the announcement on Facebook had received 100 reactions and 40 comments as of Monday morning.
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"Growing up in Bethany, Whitlock's was more than just a book store - it was a staple of our community," one commenter wrote. "I'm grateful for the memories and appreciate Norm's efforts to keep it alive all these years. Thank you for everything."
The shop is on a property of what was once a large farm. Horses now graze in the field that formerly pastured sheep and cows, according to the Bethany Historical Society.
The shop is described as "a reminder of Bethany's bucolic past."
The full history of the bookshop is available by clicking here.
The full closure announcement is available by clicking here.
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