Courtesy of Same Sun of Vermont
A crowd gathered outside Phoenix Books Rutland for its grand opening, Sept. 2015.
RUTLAND — Vermont’s Phoenix Books has been shortlisted for the 2016 Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year Award, which highlights singular achievements in the bookselling industry.
“This year’s nominees for the 2016 PW Awards reflect the growth and vitality of independent bookstores,” said PW Senior VP and Publisher Cevin Bryerman. “They are coming off a strong holiday season, and several just opened, or are about to open, second or third locations.”
Phoenix Books opened its third location, in Rutland in September 2015. The company also has locations in Essex and Burlington.
“I am gratified and humbled for Phoenix Books to be named a finalist for PW Bookstore of the Year,” says Phoenix Books’ Co-owner Mike DeSanto. “This nomination is truly a team recognition for the host communities of Rutland, Essex and Burlington, for our 30 plus booksellers and the special customers who patronize our three stores. Although my partner Renee Reiner and I are the owners, this nomination reflects the truth that all three of our locations serve communities that are loyal to indie bookstores and locally owned businesses, that all of our booksellers are exceedingly loyal to Phoenix Books and put forth herculean efforts on behalf of the stores each and every day and that our loyal customers are the best darn customers in the universe!” he said. “Phoenix Books had our best year ever in 2015, and apparently our industry thinks we are doing a pretty darn good job, too.”
“This recognition of our efforts affirms our belief that independent bookstores are valuable and indeed vital to our communities,” added Renee Reiner.
Phoenix’s fellow finalists include San Francisco’s Books Inc., Houston’s Brazos Bookstore, Brooklyn’s Greenlight Bookstore, and Bellingham, Washington’s Village Books. The 2016 PW Award winners will be named in late March and will be featured in the April 18 edition of Publishers Weekly.
“We’re so pleased to hear the news and to be part of such a vibrant organization!” says Tricia Huebner, manager of Phoenix Books Rutland. “We’ve all known how special Phoenix is, but it is so great to see everyone’s hard work recognized.”
For more information visit www.phoenixbooks.biz.
