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| ST. THOMAS - Next month, St. Thomas' only bookstore, Dockside Bookshop, will close after 35 years in business.
Dockside Bookshop owner Jonathan Gjessing said a number of reasons have led to the closure, including the recession; the decline of retail book sales nationwide; rising costs; and the increasing popularity of electronic books.
"Our sales are down about 37.5 percent since the recession started," Gjessing said.
The shop opened in 1978, just around the corner from its current location. Gjessing took it over in 1984 and has owned it ever since.
He said his preference would have been to sell the shop, but it would have been very difficult to find a buyer.
"We have so much debt that it's pretty http://www.agoshow.net/Brewers-1-Hart-blue-2010-All-Star-Jerseys-31/ - Brewers 1 Hart blue 2010 All Star Jerseys hard to sell," Gjessing said.
In addition to owing money to publishers and the landlord, the store needs a new air-conditioning system and a new computer system - items he cannot afford based on the store's sales.
Everything in the store currently is 20 percent off, with the exception of newspapers and gift certificates. When the shelves start to clear out, he will put the shelving up for sale too.
"We'll try to sell the inventory and furnishings to try to give a little something to the publishers and the landlord," he said.
He said while the bookstore still has some core customers, many have left island or stopped coming in. He said people no longer want http://www.agoshow.net/Dodgers-16-Ethier-Blue-2010-All-Star-Jerseys-39/ - Dodgers 16 Ethier Blue 2010 All Star Jerseys to spend the money for hardcover new releases, and the publishers will only accept so many returns.
"It was a very disappointing Christmas, and now we're in the slow season," Gjessing said.
The increase in the Gross Receipts Tax, rising utility bills and higher shipping costs have made it near impossible to do business, he said.
"We're getting crunched from all sides," he said.
He said he wishes he did not have to close, but feels it is the best decision at this time.
"I'd like to thank my customers that stayed with us," Gjessing said.
While he does not have a final date for closure yet, he expects the inventory will sell out within the next month and the shop will close sometime in July.
- Contact reporter Aldeth Lewin at 714-9111 or email alewin@dailynews.vi.
http://www.agoshow.net
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