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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Friday 10 things to know for Thursday Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Police Reports Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Education Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Teacher's Tips: Who gets to teach history? Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Cars We Remember: The original Candymatic Ramchargers Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Blazers fight back, edge Jazz Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory High school Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Letters to the Editor, March 27 Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Arthur I. Cyr: The legacy of Singapore’s leader Lee Kwan Yew The rest of the story Editorial Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Letters Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Guest Opinion: Ashland schools failed to protect my son from bullying Columns Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Arthur I. Cyr: The legacy of Singapore’s leader Lee Kwan Yew The rest of the story Council Corner: Getting to yes or no — or maybe Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Theater Ticket Availability Ashland Contemporary Theatre seeks new artistic director Ticket Availability The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Ticket Availability Music Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Inner Peace: The good, the bad and the spiritual Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? ... Ashland Calendar: Friday, March 27 ... Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion ... Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? ... Ashland Calendar: Friday, March 27 ... Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion ... BLOOMSBURY BOOKS Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Celebration set for Sunday, April 19 Comment By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 7:39 PM By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 7:39 PM » Social News   Bloomsbury Books is turning 35 and book lovers are invited to the party. Ashland's iconic downtown bookstore has grown from small beginnings into a two-story hub of literary greatness that was previously named Best Small Bookstore in the state by the Oregonian.  From 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 19, co-owners Karen Chapman and Sheila Burns will host a celebration of Bloomsbury's long life, and the staff and customers who keep it going strong. The party is free and open to the public.  Chapman has a thick scrapbook loaded with pictures and newspaper articles that tell Bloomsbury's origin story. The store started in 1979 when she and three other women discovered they shared a longtime desire to open a bookstore. “At the time, we all had small children and, individually, we couldn't run a bookstore alone,” said Chapman. The women, Chapman, Burns, Denise Harnly and Nancy Peterson, didn't know each other well at the time. “Something clicked with us and we decided to pool our talents,” she said.  Friends and financial advisors were not encouraging. “A business advisor told us we wouldn't last three years and warned us that partnerships usually don't do well,” said Chapman. “We figured we'd go into it with our eyes wide open and take it day by day,” Chapman said. “Honestly, we never had any serious partnership problems.”  Despite the rough economy, their plan worked and the store quickly thrived by attracting loyal book lovers like longtime customer Judy Schaeffer, the first member of the store's book club, which offers a 15 percent discount on purchases. “I still have my member card with the number one,” she said. “I remember when they were at the old house,” Schaeffer said, referring to Bloomsbury's initial location, a 700 square-foot shared space in the E.V. Carter House on Siskiyou Boulevard. “I was so happy to see a new bookstore in town,” she added. Chapman has fond memories, too. “I loved that space. It was small, but easy for the four of us to manage, since we couldn't afford staff at the time,” said Chapman.  Five years later, needing more room, they moved to a different space on East Main Street, near what is now the Music Coop. Shortly after, co-owner Denise Harnly moved with her family to Seattle. “That left Sheila, Nancy and myself, but by this time we were able to hire employees,” said Chapman.  Judy Schaeffer says that the employees are part of the store's charm. “The customer service has always been excellent,” she said. “They'll spend time searching for a book for you and call as soon as it is in. It's like getting a book from a friend.”  In 1991, again needing a larger space, the women moved Bloomsbury to its current location at 290 E. Main. “One of our original plans was to have a coffeeshop in the store,” said Chapman. “This space gave us room for that. The coffee shop space is leased by David Light and he has done an amazing job with it,” she added.  In 1997, the Bloomsbury team lost co-owner Nancy Peterson to cancer. Peterson was also a former state representative and Ashland City Council member. “She worked up to the end. We really miss her. Nancy was so dynamic and energetic,” said Chapman. Although there have been changes over the years, Chapman says Bloomsbury has remained true to the original goals of its owners. “As far as how we wanted the bookstore to feel, a browsing atmosphere with nooks and crannies, and lots of quality books, it is the same,” added Chapman.  Even with the popularity of e-books and Amazon, Chapman says nothing compares to a real bookstore experience, to holding a book. “You can't experience an e-book in the same way,” said Chapman. You can't have a bookcase filled with them. Books on the shelf give your home a warm feeling and it's like a little history looking through old books and remembering where you were in your life when you read it.” Chapman says she is looking forward to the upcoming celebration. Former co-owner Denise Harnly and the family of Nancy Peterson will be there, as well as many longtime customers. “We've made so many friends along the way and it will be nice to have everyone in one place, sharing memories,” she said.  Bloomsbury Books is at 290 E. Main Street. For more information, call 541-488-0029. Reach Ashland freelance writer Angela Decker at [email protected]. By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 7:39 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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