However, the owners recognized that the store's Newtonville location made it difficult to reach via the T for book lovers who would otherwise attend author readings, book groups and writing workshops.
With the new location at 10 Langley Place, hosted events will be more accessible for the town as a whole, though not necessarily for the owners. "We're sorry to leave Newtonville," said Clarke. "We won't be able to walk to work anymore."
The new location is at the corner of Langley and Centre Street.
To compete with virtual books from Nook and Kindle and giant chains like Barnes and Noble, independent bookstores market their personal touch. The staff at Newtonville Books gets to know its clientele, learning what books different readers favor.
Longtime customer and local writer Thomas Friedman is one such loyal patron. "They mentioned 'Townie' by Andre Dubus and I gave it a try though I hadn't heard of him." Then he learned Dubus was going to be speaking at the store.
Clarke said that he and Cotton go out of their way to promote new blood, contacting up and coming writers about reading at the store.
Shivaji Mudambi can be reached at shivaji.mudambi@globe.com.
