INDIE BOOKSTORE CELEBRATES 1 YEAR FOR 3 DAYS

Marine City, Mich., The Book Blues has 3 days of free events to commemorate the store’s 1 year anniversary: a wine tasting seminar with Michigan author and President of International Taster’s Guild, Joe Borrello, a book-related scavenger hunt and reading with Michigan children’s author, Aunt Judy (McEwen), & a signing with Roger LeLievre, author of the "Know Your Ships", a series popular with Great Lakes, shipping, boating and freighter enthusiasts.

More than 12,000 books and an entire year later, Jacqueline and Todd Wilson, owners of The Book Blues Bookstore in Marine City, Mich., have no regrets when reflecting on their first year as independent bookstore owners.

“It’s hard work, but it’s been better than I anticipated,” said Jacqueline, a published author who co-owns the store with her husband, Todd, and runs the day-to-day business. “When we opened, we wanted to be more than just a bookstore. We wanted to expose people to new and interesting things – whether it's a new author, a new genre, or new music from the eclectic mix that we play. We also wanted to be a hub of community information. In just one short year, I think we’ve accomplished those things.”

The Book Blues sends out monthly online newsletters that includes upcoming store events and also markets community events. “We agreed that having an Around Town page in our newsletter and on our web site for community events was prudent. The more people we get to support our community, the greater the chances of store success,” said Ms. Wilson.

The Book Blues has planned three days of free events to commemorate the store’s upcoming one-year anniversary. The celebration kicks off on Thursday, June 7, with an evening wine tasting, seminar, and signing with Michigan author and President of the International Taster’s Guild, Joe Borrello. Friday the bookstore will host a book-related scavenger hunt and also a reading and signing with Michigan children’s author, Aunt Judy (McEwen). On Saturday, the store will host a signing with the author of the area’s popular Know Your Ships series, Roger LeLievre. “We tried to plan a mix of events that will reach across all age ranges and interests,” added Wilson.

The Book Blues, LLC, located on the St. Clair River, opened in June 2006 in Marine City, Michigan. The bookstore provides customers with a choice of over 12,000 gently used and new books. In addition, the bookstore hosts special events and signings with a focus on local authors, Great Lakes shipping, Michigan, and area history. Todd and Jacqueline Wilson, owners of the store, have also committed themselves to philanthropic efforts by creating an affiliation with the Books for Soldiers program and serving on a volunteer city revitalization committee. To receive more information about the bookstore and events, please visit www.TheBookBlues.com

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If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Jacqueline Wilson at 810/765-8111 or jwilson@TheBookBlues.com.