Tom Lyons has bought the New England Mobile Book Fair. Lyons, a Brookline-based management consultant, and current owner Jon Strymish confirmed the sale earlier today. The Newton Highlands institution has beein in the Strymish family for 54 years and has been on the market for one. "I'm happy and ready to move on," Strymish said.
UPDATE (11:27am)
Here's the official press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New England Mobile
Book Fair® Changes Ownership
Brookline resident Tom Lyons looks forward to continuing the
legacy
Newton, MA, November 22, 2011 – Tom Lyons has been shopping at the New England Mobile
Book Fair® for decades. This week he
realized a dream of owning the iconic 54 year old bookstore. Located on Needham Street in Newton, the Book
Fair, as it is known to regulars, has been in the Strymish family for its
entire history and was put up for sale in November, 2010. After a diligent effort to find just the
right next owner, Tom has now completed the transaction and is hard at work
behind the counter. In an age of Amazon
and e-books, Tom’s faith in the long-term prospects of paper-based books
combined with the aura surrounding the Book Fair prompted him to seize this
opportunity.
Tom is an experienced
businessman, having spent a successful career in the insurance industry and,
more recently, as an independent management consultant. His mastery of systems and operating procedures
is critical to an operation as large as the Book Fair. His vision and ideas for the future are
equally important as the store adapts to the changing book industry.
“We’ll never lose our focus
on what has made the Book Fair great for all these years,” Tom remarked. “Great customer service, an unbeatable
selection and employees who genuinely care about promoting reading and helping
our shoppers find what they want are the bedrock of the Book Fair legacy. And, of course, there are the everyday discounts
all customers receive!”
Tom went on about what he
hopes to accomplish at the Book Fair. “I
want it to be a cultural center for Newton
and the surrounding area. I want it to
be even easier to shop and more efficient to operate. And I want to introduce these changes in a
way that is gradual and does not change the Book Fair’s inherent charm.”
“We look forward to the
continued support of our community while we get our arms around these
opportunities and plan for the future.
The best way the people of Newton
and surrounding cities and towns can support us is by coming in during the
holiday season and shopping our store.
Local businesses keep their revenue in the local community to everyone’s
benefit. We will be fully-staffed,
fully-stocked and open longer holiday hours.”
“I want to thank the Strymish
family for turning over custody of this New England
institution to me. Their faith in my vision and ability to move
the Book Fair forward means a great deal. We anticipate an upcoming event soon to
celebrate the Strymishes' legacy at the Book Fair.
“Tom impressed each of us
with his commitment and passion for the Book Fair, as well as his respect for
my family’s legacy,” said Jon Strymish, one of the owners of the Book
Fair. “We wish him success as he guides
the Book Fair into the future.”
Terms of the sale are not
being released. The sale was brokered by
Ridge Hill Partners, Inc. of Needham,
Massachusetts.
###
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