GAYLORD — It may be only 33 steps away, as owner Jill Miner likes to say, but the look and feel of Saturn Booksellers will be completely different as it moves to a new location next door.
After nearly 19 years in its current location, the popular independent bookstore is moving to 127 W. Main St. on the ground floor of Gaylord's Clock Tower building, a space that used to house Fifth Third Bank offices. Miner said there will be an entrance on Main Street, and there will still be a back door.
"It will even still open onto the same parking lot, and we will have a door connected to the bank lobby," Miner said.
Miner, who has owned the store through its 25-year existence, is excited about how the new retail area is taking shape.
“The space is about the same size but configured differently; it’s more open,” she said. “It’s going to be bright and fresh and clean with an updated look for us. We have a new logo and a whole new different look. It’s always fun to get something new and exciting.”
Miner noted that her staff will also reap benefits “behind the scenes.”
“Another thing that is nice is that we will have a bigger space to do the work of getting the books prepped and ready to put on the shelves. We needed that,” she said.
Saturn Booksellers is closed temporarily while a “Book Brigade” packs and moves inventory. Miner hopes to re-open the shop Monday, May 15, and thanked the many of supporters who have helped in the move.
Miner also expressed appreciation to the businesses and individuals who made the project possible.
“Big kudos to Brian Olsen and his construction crew, they have been working for six weeks and are doing an amazing job for us, also to Norton Painting, and Chuck’s Electric is hanging cool new light fixtures for us,” she said.
Miner added that other local businesses including Total Audio, Computer Connections and Telephone Support Systems provided essential services necessary to run the bookstore, as did Gary Kosch and Katie Buckler at Main Street Market, who fed Miner's staff during the moving process.
Miner assured customers that Saturn Booksellers will continue the excellent customer service and ongoing high-quality programs, events and author visits that a hometown bookstore offers.
The first event in the new location will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, when author Renee Rosen visits the shop.
Gary Scott of Go North Properties LLC, who owns the Clock Tower building with his partners, Tom Nelson and Kevin Theile, said the historic building will undergo additional improvements.
“We’re getting the clock fixed, getting a new copper roof on the bell tower, new paint and some new architectural features along with an expanded deck on the third floor,” he said.
Scott added that Saturn Booksellers will soon have new neighbors, including an adjacent coffee and wine bar, as well as new businesses and offices on the second and third floors.
“We are also expanding the common space to include displays of the history of the bank, with a tribute to Harold Elgas and of the history of downtown Gaylord,” he said.
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