Pair write last chapter in book store saga

It was a dream — to operate a bookstore. And for seven years, David and Zulabel Erickson of Gilbert did just that, running the Book Adventure used bookstore in downtown Gilbert. But the doors on their “mom and pop” style shop will close Saturday.

Due to the struggling economy, the couple was unable to find new owners to take over their shop as they prepare to retire.

They rent space at 660 N. Gilbert Road, just south of Guadalupe Road. A clearance sale of their remaining books is ongoing, with prices of $1 for paperbacks, $2 for larger paperbacks and $3 for hardbacks, until they close their doors at the end of the day Saturday.

The pair say they always loved to read and jumped at the chance to operate a bookstore before they retired.

“It was fun. We met a lot of interesting people,” David Erickson said.

“There’s a real need for used-book stores in this area. Our steady readers wanted us to stay.”

Families often came in to the store for its variety of books, ranging from children’s classics to adult mysteries, and schools would often send students who needed to find books, the couple said.

Zulabel Erickson said Gilbert has “a lot of good readers,” many of whom would bring in books to trade and sell that “looked really nice and in good condition.”

The shop offered a relaxed atmosphere with wood shelves, which also are up for sale as part of the store closure.

“It’s been good,” David Erickson said, adding he hoped in the future another used-book store would open in the vicinity. The couple live just about a mile from their shop.

Book Adventure is open its final week 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. For information, call (480) 892-2120.