Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:51:32 -0400 From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at press.jhu.edu> To: <wsfalist at keithlynch.net>,<wsfa-forum at yahoogroups.com> Subject: [WSFA] Virginia Bookstore News Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net> Cribbed from the latest PW Daily: Olsson's Books & Records is back in expansion mode after shrinking to five stores late last year, when the building that housed its Bethesda, Md., location was converted into luxury apartments. The 34-year-old multi-store independent, the oldest book and music store in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, will become the first bookstore to open in the newly developed streetscape in the Crystal City area of Arlington, Vir. According to marketing manager Alicia Greene, the 3600-square-foot store will open later this fall. In addition to the extensive book and music inventory found at other Olsson's locations, including Ronald Reagan National Airport, the new store will rent and sell DVDs and have active events and literacy programs. The new location, which is within five minutes of downtown Washington, Old Town Alexandria and Reagan National Airport, solidifies Olsson's multi-store location model. "Our core belief is rooted in customer service and the organizing principle that we don't just have one location and expect customers to come to us," said founder and president John Olsson. Crystal City is a growing residential and business community with more than 200 stores, restaurants, coffee shops and hotels. Olsson's continues to scout out viable locations, says Greene. The independent would like to re-open in suburban Maryland, either in Bethesda or in Silver Spring, where its offices are located.