It should be no surprise that the new manager of Book ReViews loves books.
Dr. Christina Walton, Ed. D., a resident of Bluffton for one year, became manger of Book ReViews, 123 S. Main St., on Feb. 1.
"I've read books all my life," she told the Icon earlier this week. "Books are an important part of who I am."
Helping her keep the used bookstore running is a host of over 20 volunteers. As store manager, Walton will manager the store, continue to develop a core of volunteers, work on store marketing, develop a strategic plan for the store and develop ways to attract customers to the non-profit business.
Book ReViews is a partner non-profit business with Et Cetera Shop and Ten Thousand Villages. The three operate under the umbrella of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), an agency of Mennonite Church USA.
Each business has its own manager and each relies upon volunteers to assist in the store operation. Like Et Cetera Shop, Book ReViews also relies on donations – in its case, donations of books – to operate.
Walton, a native of Lima, is a Bowling Green State University graduate, holds a master’s degree from the University of Findlay and holds a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. Her doctorate is in education. She is retired from Ashland University.
She has several new ideas for the bookstore that she hopes to introduce to the community this year. Among those includes making an area in the store for small groups to meet and hold meetings, book signings for area authors and launching a book club review group.
In addition to used books, Book ReViews sells sheet music, some music CDs and books covering all topics.
Store hours are Mondays to Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 5 p .m. and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The business phone number is 419-358-6999.
