"We've had people crying, we've had people shaking with anger," said Margy Layton, who owns the store with her husband, Roger. "It's been really emotional."

Early next month - no date has been set - the Laytons will close the independent book shop after more than seven years of business at 164 S. Main St.

The bookworm couple are dealing the building to the owners of neighboring toy store Funfinity, who plan to sell children's books at the location along with their toy inventory.

The Laytons said their decision to sell was more about timing than money.

"Familywise, it was just wearing us down," Roger Layton said. "It's not like Borders opened up across the highway and we're limping along."

Still, the shop owners acknowledged the bottom line wasn't quite reading how they would have liked. Such is the story line of independent bookstores, they said.

But the Read Leaf (for the record, "Read" is pronounced like "red") established itself as an independent bookstore that refused to follow the dying-breed model.

The full-service book shop not only specialized in one-on-one book referrals, but also became known for weekend music shows and children's story time.

"It is sad to see them go," said Funfinity co-owner Ruth Morrison. "They've been a great store on Main Street."

Margy Layton worries she is betraying her customers by closing down, but she is sure it's the right decision.

Funfinity's decision to keep an extensive children's and juvenile book section will ease the transition, she said.

"Hopefully, they'll be able to fill part of the market niche we're leaving," Margy Layton said. "It's been a really, really good run."

Amen, said husband Roger, who now plans to return to school to study library science.

"It was just time for us to move on," he said.

But at least one family member isn't happy with the plot change.

"I don't like it," said 7-year-old Jack Layton. His solution? "Not sell it."

thollingshead@sltrib.com

Book bargains

* As the Read Leaf draws closer to closing day, liquidation book prices will continue to drop. "We need people to come and shop without any guilt," owner Margy Layton said. Most books at the Springville store, 164 S. Main, already are at least 30 percent off.