New England Mobile Book Fair Opens Again

NEWTON, MA — The New England Mobile Book Fair is closed. The New England Mobile Book Fair Is Open. Which is it? Both.

After years at the 82 Needham Street location, that space is now closed, but despite talk that the iconic independent bookstore might be shuttering for good, it's found a new (temporary) home in Marshall's Plaza just down the street at 241 Needham Street.

The bookstore is now right between CVS and the liquor store. Though the plaza is scheduled to undergo major renovations in the coming years (one reason that Fresh City owner cited as one of the reasons he was closing up shop earlier this year) the owner of the plaza gave the Book Fair a more affordable option than its current spot and it looks like the store may be able to stay after renovations take place as well, he said

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"It's a much smaller venue but we'll be able to carry a lot more inventory," owner Tom Lyons told Patch before the move.

And it's official. They're open again they announced this afternoon on Facebook:

The bookstore had been looking for space since the spring, when the building's lease was up. The owners said they were either going to close up shop or move, but admitted they were really hoping to find a smaller, more affordable space that kept a local presence and were courted by a number of towns and cities.

“We had been contacted by a number of cities and locations nearby, but ultimately we felt that we wanted to try to stay local, so when Northland contacted us it felt like the right fit. Even though it’s not a permanent solution it helps keep this bookstore close to its roots," said Lyons who praised the company for understanding what it meant to be a local small business owner.

Northland helped renovate the space and last week volunteers helped the book store move in.

Miss the whole thing? Catch up here: New England Mobile Book Fair To Stay in Newton

Photo of the old bookfair by Jenna Fisher/Patch. Photo of the new spot by Greg Reibman with permission. Other shot courtesy Tom Lyons.