We often think of the closing of a store as just another part of business, and usually it is; however, this is not the case for Booksellers. To many, Booksellers was like a dear friend, and like a dear friend, his/her passing caused a great deal of grief (rightfully so). In such cases, we often gravitate towards grieving over the lost friend rather than considering the beneficial impact that this person/bookstore has made on our life. This is just one way that many people think about Booksellers. I, however, like to think off our current situation in a more positive light and I would encourage you to do the same: Today I’d like to encourage you to think of Booksellers as a young adult going off the college (I can’t speak from experience just yet). You might be thinking “what in the world is he talking about,” but just hear me out. Booksellers, like a college student has had its harder times and has stumbled along the way occasionally (I can speak from experience here), but it has finally made it adulthood and has been “accepted into college.” While many are sad to see this “student” go off to college, they know it’s for the best. Why? Because this individual will come back stronger, more mature, and (hopefully) ready to take on the world. In a similar manner, Booksellers has closed so it could “go off to college” and come back a better bookstore. How so? Well, Booksellers over the past several years has introduced a used book section, a DVD collection, and other miscellaneous items that have not “become a part of the store” as well as many hoped. By “going off to college”/reevaluating Booksellers business plan, Booksellers will be able to come back, perhaps not by the same name, as a better, more localized bookstore. So, while many may be sad to see Booksellers go (hopefully just for now), just remember that there is a chance that an improved bookstore will come back to fill the location with joy once again. This chance is all the greater considering the support we grew last week and will continue to grow in the future. Don’t lose hope. Don’t give up. And don’t stop fighting for Booksellers. I’ll be back on Friday to let you guys know how we plan on moving forward to continue to support the Booksellers at Laurelwood. Always remember #MemphisGetsLit, Emmett Miskell