Goodbye Mystery Loves Company -- Baltimore
Just spoke with Kathy Harig, who today announced the closing of her Mystery Loves Company bookstore in Fells Point on Dec. 31. Sad to see the ranks of Baltimore's indie stores shrinking -- we also lost Clayton's on Charles Street recently -- but at least MLC's three-year-old store in quaint Oxford (shown here) is still going strong.
Harig, who lives on the Eastern Shore, said a number of factors played into her decision to close the 17-year-old store in Baltimore. Among them: the long ride to Baltimore, a slowing economy and difficulty in attracting authors to the city for signings.
Speaking from Oxford -- and enjoying sunset over the Tred Avon River -- she noted that reading and writing are a central part of the Eastern Shore lifestyle. Many authors live in the area. And, she said, "People buy books here, just because someone's staying at their house or they're going to a birthday party."
In an e-mail to MLC customers, Harig said that starting Saturday, the Baltimore store will have a 25 percent off sale.
Also from her e-mail: "Finally, we appreciate all of our truly loyal Baltimore authors & customers. We have loved serving you in Fells Point. We hope we can continue to deserve your loyal support. We have experienced many satisfying and unique experiences, and have been proud of our reputation for supporting local mystery authors. ... Once again, thank you for making Mystery Loves Company in Fells Point such a wonderful experience for these seventeen years."
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
