'It's time for a new chapter,' Sundance owner says about independent bookstore's closure

This story has been updated to include a conversation with Sundance Books and Music owner Christine Kelly.

A steady stream of people walked into Sundance Books and Music on Wednesday.

"Don't leave. Don't close. Please don't close," said customer after customer as news spread that the independent retailer will close on May 31.

Owner Christine Kelly said it wasn't a quick decision, but one that will let her slow down a little and spend time with family.

"It has been the honor of a lifetime," Kelly said of running Sundance for nearly four decades. "There's enormous sadness, and I feel incredibly fortunate."

"It's hard to leave, but it's time for a new chapter," Kelly said.

Kelly has run Sundance for 36 years, the past 13 of those in the historic Levy Mansion. She said what happens to the stately columned mansion on California Avenue is up to its owner, the Nevada Museum of Art.

"You never know," Kelly said of the space possibly remaining an independent bookstore, adding the museum has been a good friend to the bookstore.

A post on the store's website said that after 39 years in business, “it was time to close the book, and, yes our doors.

“But, as George Harrison once sang, 'All things must pass.' Time goes by, life calls, new challenges beckon, reflection yields new answers. And in this present moment, we recognize that while endings are indeed hard to write, now is, in fact, the ideal time for us to do just that,” the note said.

In 2011, Sundance moved from West Fourth Street into the Levy Mansion, just south of the museum. It was a good move, Kelly told the Reno Gazette Journal at the time.

“Our core customer base, young and old, are those who like to wander and look,” Kelly said of the competition with online retailers.

The note announcing the closing made a plea for the survival of independent bookselling.

“It’s our profound hope that other idealistic souls will recognize the importance of independent bookselling here in the Truckee Meadows and will pick up the baton, taking us all somewhere wondrous and new,” it said.

It continued:

• Please come say “hello,” sign our guest book, and shop all the amazing books, music, cards, and gifts we’ve curated for you.

• Bring in gift certificates and/or unexpired coupons you might have and redeem them.

• We will no longer be issuing coupons.

• Prepaid special orders for books are still possible as long they’re available through our regional warehouses.

• Store hours for the rest of the month are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  daily

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: 'It's time for a new chapter,' Sundance owner says about independent bookstore's closure