Owners of Little Bookworms faced difficult financial decision

LAKEWOOD RANCH — There is no bittersweet feeling for Little Bookworms owner Heidi Allwood.

When Allwood locks up her shop on Lakewood Ranch Main Street Aug. 12, she will be doing so for the last time, ending a vision she and her mother, Holly Baracchini, birthed six years ago.

“It’s a hard realization,” Allwood said. “It’s what I’ve wanted to do for my life. It’s difficult to see the plan not work out the way you wanted it to, but you have to be realistic. It has to come down to a business and financial decision.”

The store found its niche offering children’s books and other items, as well as story times, special events and other family activities.

Allwood said the decline in the book industry overall — one that has taken retail giants such as Borders — as well as the recession — have made it impossible for the store to stay profitable. Costs associated with the opening of a failed bookstore for adults three years ago also added to Allwood’s ongoing expenses and debts.

“We tried to hang on as long as we could,” Allwood said, noting she put the business up for sale in January. “We’ve tried to exhaust every option we could before deciding to close. It’s no fun. The saddest part when I think through things is the kids, who have loved to come here and spent time and enjoyed books, not being able to do that any more. Even my own son is pretty upset about it.”

Patrons are being encouraged to stop in before the store closes Friday to use their gift cards, find bargains or say hello, Allwood said.

“I just want to thank everyone for being so supportive over the past six years,” Allwood said. “We’ve made some truly close friendships and felt like a part of people’s lives in this area and we’ll miss that greatly.”

Baracchini resumed work full time as a nurse in September, and Allwood started work about five weeks ago at Charles A. Roy Roofing, where she will be responsible for marketing, customer relations and day-to-day office duties.

Allwood will be working with her husband, the company’s vice president, and her parents-in-law, who own the company.

Allwood’s sister, Heather Anderson, who served as the store’s manager, is still seeking employment.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].