Come celebrate two decades of Blue Bicycle Books with a star-studded party Sat., Sept. 19, 2015, 6 – 9 pm.
Twenty years ago, Lee and Jim Breeden opened Boomer’s Books on a quiet end of Upper King Street. Current owner Jonathan Sanchez has been proud to carry the torch for the last nine years. We look forward to toasting the next twenty years with all of those who’ve contributed to our longevity: regulars, fans, former-cat-petters, and all those who need an excuse to finally see the renovation. (Plus drop-in cameos from a who’s who of Lowcountry Writers!)
BB/BBB through the years…
*1995 Lee Breeden, a development professional, and Jim Breeden, an SMU history professor, open Boomer’s Books and Collectibles in a former ophthalmologist’s office at 420 King St. (Boomer was their basset hound.) Jim continues to teach in Dallas for several years, sending boxes of books from garage sales from Dallas and working in the store on breaks.
*1995 Beach Music by Pat Conroy is released. List price: $27.50.
*1998 Current owner Jonathan Sanchez begins working part-time at Boomer’s.
*1999 Grumpy the Cat dies, leaving Purdy as sole store cat.
*2007 Jonathan purchases store, renames it Blue Bicycle Books.
*2008 First book signing / poetry reading with Marjory Wentworth and Carol Ann Davis.
*2008 Piccolo Fiction moves to Blue Bicycle Books courtyard.
*2011 First YALLFest: Charleston Young Adult Book Festival.
*2014 Purdy dies, leaving no heir. Store undergoes major renovation, operates out of pop-up shop in adjacent space for four weeks.
*2015 Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee is released. List price: $27.95
By the numbers, since 1995:
*500,000 books sold
*1876 special orders (1104 new / 772 used and rare)
*973 author book signings
*ca. 23,000 small post-its
*15 employees
*11 Square credit card readers
*1 Sharp XE-A150 Cash Register
Photo Credits:
*Jonathan Boncek / The Charleston City Paper (from the heavy-metal-themed Best of Charleston 2015).
*Jessika Stocker (“This Is 20”)
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