Brookline Booksmith: End of An Era, But Not An End To Booksmith

BROOKLINE, MA — If you are a regular at the Brookline Booksmith you probably know that it's one of Brookline's longest running woman-run and co-owned establishments. That's thanks to Dana Brigham who has run the place for nearly four decades.

Brigham just announced she will retire at the end of the month as co-owner and general manager. But as you collectively gasp, the Booksmith is set to live on.

The plan is for her to continue with a role at the beloved store as a board member and senior adviser as two new faces step to center stage to take over the day-to-day.

Enter Lisa Gozashti and Peter Win as the new managers and co-owner team, and Tim Huggins is set to become CFO.

"This new leadership team brings extensive and stellar experience in independent bookselling," read a note from the Booksmith to colleagues Monday night.

Ok, so perhaps "new" isn't the right word for Gozashti who has been with the store for 19 years, holding down numerous jobs including buyer, merchandising manager, and literary light. Win has worked at the store a couple of times, coming back on board in 2010 after stints at two iconic bookstores: A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books in San Francisco and The Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley. And Huggins founded and ran his own award-winning bookstore, Newtonville Books, later joining the Booksmith team as Controller in 2014.

Brigham's last day will be May 31.

"Her decision is based on knowing it's time for younger energy, intellect and passion to carry on the mission," reads the announcement.

To say she'll be missed as the face of the Booksmith in the neighborhood appears to be an understatement.

"Dana is being very humble- she has worked with her business partners over the past several years to train and prepare for a smooth transition of a beloved business to the next generation. This has been a long work in progress behind the scenes, and we are very grateful for people like her and Abe Faber/ Clear Flour who leave their babies/ life work in the good hands of other passionate, talented people. Apprenticeships are few and far between, and carefully planned business transfers like this ensure continuity of cherished commercial anchors, like the Booksmith, while leaving room for the next chapter in evolving retail to be written," said Kara Brewton from the town's economic development and planning division.

Social media has been afire with words of congratulations for Brigham and gratitude for the Booksmith.

"In her tenure, Dana created an ever-changing Booksmith family that eventually became a well-loved community center for the Town of Brookline and far beyond. It was a joy to work with her and her low-key, highly successful management style," said Marshall Smith, founder of Brookline Booksmith, who will continue as board member and adviser to the shop.

Jed Smith (one of the founder's three children) will join the board of directors, as chair and liaison to the new leadership team. He brings decades of experience as an entrepreneur, CEO and investor focusing on mission-based companies in the worlds of sustainability, healthy living and education.

And yes, the younger Smith remembers bagging books during the holiday season at Booksmith when he was so young he could barely see over the counter.

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Photo credit: Jenna Fisher/Patch