Circle Books closes after 13 years

Date: September 20, 2012
by: Robin Hartill | City Editor

Circle Books owner Eric Lamboley, pictured in 2006.

Circle Books has closed after 13 years on St. Armands Circle.

The independent book seller was the Circle's only book store and was popular with both local and best-selling national authors for book signings.

The Longboat Observer was unable to immediately reach owner Eric Lamboley for comment. He opened the store with business partner Deb Stowell in 1999, although he was the sole owner at the time of its closing.

Author H. Terrell “Terry” Griffin, a Longboat Key resident who has published seven mystery novels, called the closing a “terrible blow” for local authors.

“Circle Books had just become an institution in the 13 years it was there,” he said.

For more information, pick up a Sept. 27 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at rhartill@yourobserver.com.

Currently 1 Response

1.
The closing of Circle Books is a sad but all too common happening in todays world of large impersonal chains. For years I have tried to suport Circle Books, my favorite bookstore, by buying books from them and having them sent to NY. While it was painful to wait those extra day to read my favorite authors new book, it was worth it to support Circle Books. Now that I am a resident of Florida, I went to Circle books on the 20th only to see the sad sign on the door. Thank you for the years of service ad for introducing me to all of the great Florida authors.
Kent Stewart
Tue 25th Sep 2012
at 9:10am