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Betts Books
Was this thread started somewhere else?
Anyway, email I got:
"Here is an update that will be unexpected by most of you that receive it. After almost 20 years, I have decided to sell Betts Bookstore. This has not been an easy decision to make, but I am going through some major changes in my life and it seems like the right time to do this. 2009 has been a terrible year in terms of sales volume, as most of this country has experienced. That coupled with a health scare, the impending death of my Dad, and the loss of my closest friend, I just don't have the desire to continue any longer. The business is listed with a local Realtor at a very attractive price if anyone is interested in moving to Bangor.
We will carry on with business as usual until the store sells, or Jan 1, 2010 at which time it will be shut down. We will be selling Under The Dome when it is released in November. Hopefully we will have a couple of the signed limiteds available, but we are not taking reservations for them at this time. We do have a limited number of signed copies of Terry Goodkind's new book, The Law Of Nines.
Penney and I certainly appreciate all the great friends we have met through this store, and all the business that everyone has given us over the years. We will miss all of you.
Stu"
Obviously, not good news. Unfortunately, in this market, not entirely surprising. But, hopefully he can move on and enjoy his retirement!
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totally sad news...I've bought a TON of stuff over the years from him and consider him a friend.....
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Stu is a gentleman and has always been a pleasure to do business with. Personally, I hope he has a great retirement and gets a chance to fly alot. I know our community will miss him, but after all they are just books, right?
Right?
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Yeah, I just hope it's more on the line of "time to move on and retire and do something new" as opposed to financial situations forcing something he didn't really want to do.
But...I think, and hope, he just decided it was time.
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Wow, that is a surprise. I'm sorry to read about all the heavy burdens they have had to deal with emotionally recently. This economy sure isn't helping on the financial side.
I hope someone buys the business and carries on.
Best to Stu and Penney in their retirement.
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Sad news indeed.
Purchased most of my signed King items from Bett's.
My wife would cringe every time a package would show up with Stu Tinker as the return address.
Stu has ALWAYS been a gentleman and a sincere pleasure to do business with.
The website is one I check every day without fail no matter where I am.
As others have expressed, Stu will be sorely missed.
I can only hope he finds pleasure and enjoyment in whatever the future holds for him and Miss Penney.
Karl
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Sad news. Hope it's for good. :)
But well...it has been sold before. Hope the new owner/s are as cool as him.
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:cry:
I bought lots of stuff from him over the years, but, alas, nothing recently. I will miss him!
John
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Very sad news. I will miss Stu. Hard to think of Betts without him.
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I was shocked to see this thread topic... Sad day for King collectors :cry:
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Bett's closing
Very sad news. I've know Stu for 20 years and bought many, many items
over the years. One of the most reliable and trustworthy sources around.
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Good luck to Stu in his future endeavors.
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Wow - this is sad news.
I was in Bangor last Summer and visited Betts Books, obviously and had a nice chat with Stu.
I wish him all the best in his retirement!
sk
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i say....
a going away. retirement party at Betts on Dec 18th!
always wanted to visit Stu/ Betts....
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I am guessing that with the "impending death" of his Dad, it will a a while until he can move on and enjoy his retirement.
Sad and terrible news.
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I too am very saddened by this news. :cry:
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Sad and terrible news indeed. I have looked just now at Stu's website and found no mention of this. I intend to place an order for some stuff I've been looking at for a while. Nothing big, but every little bit will help I'm sure.
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I was talking to him earlier this month and he mentioned that he was thinking about it, so it's not THAT much of a shock to me, but still a very sad day for the King world! :(
Let's do the retirement party! I will drive the three hours (depending on snow storm) to go!!
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I was also on the phone to Stu 2 weeks ago. Purchased 4 inexpensive books from him. He mentioned what a terrible year for his business this has been, but he did not mention closing. I have been aware that his updates on his site has been far and long in between this year as he usually updates whenever books are sold or new inventory.
I say buy a book from Betts, people!. Support our favourite bookseller. :rock:
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I don't have much, but my Desperation proof is from Stu. Bought by my wife as a gift to me.
Best of luck, Stu.
*heads off to check his current inventory*
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Wish I had the money, I would shop. But, you know what, even if this year "turns around" right now, I think he still wants out. He's been at it for some time and needs a change!
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The very first book in my collection, a 1st edition 1978 Stand was purchased from Stu many years ago. We have done a ton of business since then. This is indeed sad news.
I have often said to my wife that I should buy Stu's business. I so love Collectors and Stephen King, but I'm not yet ready to make that move. If it had been 5 years from now, maybe a different story.
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I don't think he will wait
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If I thought I could make a go at it, and if my wife were a younger woman (and not sick, I'm not willing to have us leave her oncologist) I might would consider such a move. Now though... it's just not feasible.