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Marking the landmark of The King's English Bookshop's 39th birthday, Utah writer Shannon Hale offered this quick quip: "You don't look a day over 38."
The bookstore that's one of the anchors of Salt Lake City's 15th and 15th neighborhood is marking its anniversary Saturday, Sept. 10, with a book sale (duh!) and the store's first-ever writing and coloring contests.
That there would be something to celebrate seemed unlikely a couple of years ago, after the triple whammy of competition from new chain bookstores, the online juggernaut of Amazon and the downturn of 2008's great recession.
But book sales have rebounded, and indie bookstores "are doing spectacularly well across the country," says founder and co-owner Betsy Burton, who is president of the American Booksellers Association. "I think there's a wonderful change going on across the country."
That includes sales at The King's English, which are up about 25 percent in the first half of the year, continuing an upward trend since 2011. That's the year when Salt Lake City readers seemed to re-recognize the importance of buying locally, says Burton, who also serves on the board of Local First, the nonprofit aimed at promoting community businesses.
Burton credits events for some of the store's success, as The King's English regularly hosts local and national authors, who give readings at the store and then publicize its charms nationally. Utah writer Terry Tempest Williams, for example, refers to it as her "mother bookstore."
But book buyers also respond to the intimacy of the bookstore's small, crowded rooms. The way you wander through the store leads you to books you wouldn't ordinarily find, says Burton of the warren of rooms that overflowed to take over the adjacent gas station. "The King's English does lend itself to discovery."
Eventually, Burton plans to retire from publishing the store's Inkslinger newsletter and from the store she considers a community gathering place, turning over the business to her partner, Anne Holman. But first up, there's a whole year ahead to plan for next year's 40th anniversary.
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The King's English grows up
The beloved Salt Lake City neighborhood bookstore marks its 39th birthday on Saturday, Sept. 10, with a 25 percent off book sale. Neighboring Trestle Tavern is offering a special King's English dessert.
Where • 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Events
10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Coloring contest with prizes for most creative, most abstract and most bookish.
11 a.m. • Mark Pett will read from his new picture book, "This Is My Book."
2 p.m. • The store's storyteller, Rob Eckman, will read picture books about dogs, along with visits from Intermountain Therapy Animals R.E.A.D. dogs.
3 p.m. • Join a Pooch Parade around the block (with doggie bags provided by The Dog Show Grooming).
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. • "Tale-gate" with cake, libations and an additional 5 percent discount.
4 p.m. • Writing contest entrants will read their work (up to 600 words, poetry, nonfiction or fiction) for store judges and customers. The theme is "Last Night at the Bookshop," and writing should be appropriate for all ages. Prizes awarded for best in show, most original written word and most original visual image, for participants age 12 and younger, and 13 and older. Selected entries will be compiled in an anthology, "Turning Pages," to be published by The King's English.
Contest information • Visit kingsenglish.com or call 801-484-9100.