Mar 27, 2008
Close to the last drop
Investors rally to save Arcadia book store and java joint
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The names Jenny Lawton, Just Books and Arcadia Coffee Company have been known in Old Greenwich for the past three and a half years, and in town for the past six. Now, as the economy struggles, Ms. Lawton said stressed financial times and other factors are making her unable to continue to subsidize Arcadia Coffee Company and Just Books, Too in the same way she has been. Ms. Lawton is selling the businesses separately.
With news of the sales hitting the streets last week, longtime patrons have come to Ms. Lawton’s side, pledging their loyalty and support, financially and emotionally.
In a mass e-mail received by the Post this week, comedienne Jane Condon urged residents to “Show Jenny the love!” by sending money, buying a book or buying a bagel at the coffee shop.
“We have to help Jenny! Please do what you can!” the frequent Arcadia performer wrote.
On a recent visit by the Post to Arcadia Coffee Company, one customer brought Ms. Lawton flowers and another, she said, had recently offered her a monetary donation.
“We’ve seen babies born and grow into grade-schoolers, kids grow up, graduate and return,” Ms. Lawton said via press release. “We’ve met numerous families, hosted parties for young and old.
“It is very hard knowing that we will no longer be a part of those activities with Arcadia and Just Books anymore.”
Riverside resident Nick Barile, owner of York Construction and Development in Old Greenwich, said he has already put together a group of business people and potential investors who aim to coordinate how to keep both the coffee shop and book store going in their current forms, whether that means remodeling or expanding what is offered at each location.
“I think the community really needs it,” Mr. Barile said. “Everyone we know in town here goes to the coffee shop and book store.”
Known for hosting such best-selling authors as Stephen King, Eric Carle, Barbara Bush, Toni Morrison and Frank McCourt, to name a few, Just Books has been a Greenwich fixture since 1949, making it the oldest independently owned book store in Fairfield County, a press release said. The store has also offered many programs, including the Meet-the-Authors breakfast series, collaborations with Greenwich Library and the Avon Theatre offering big-name authors and speakers, in-store book signings, book clubs, children’s story hours, a kids’ board and a teen group.
Arcadia Coffee Company has hosted local bands, comedians, youth events, organizational meetings and art exhibits throughout its years.
Mr. Barile said although he had heard through the grapevine several months ago that Ms. Lawton was thinking of selling her businesses, it wasn’t until two weeks ago that he found out it was a go.
“I thought, ‘Wow. That’s quicker than I thought,’” he said, adding that his daughter, a regular patron of the book store and coffee shop, was on the verge of tears when she found out the news.
Reaching out to a number of people who might be helpful “not only with money but also with skills and ability in this particular type of business,” Mr. Barile said, was a first step to saving the stores.
The “preferable way,” he said of any solution, would be for Ms. Lawton to remain running the show.
Ms. Lawton said she’d gladly stay involved, if whoever takes over will have her.
“We’re slowly hatching a plan now to keep her involved and infuse some money,” Mr. Barile said, adding plans are in the brainstorming phase at this point.
For Ms. Lawton, having investors take over the businesses she first began in central Greenwich is an ideal scenario.
Ms. Lawton, former owner of a Boston-based computer networking company and an entrepreneur in residence at a venture capital firm, took over Just Books with its original East Putnam Avenue location, a store that she since sold, in 2002. She opened Arcadia Coffee Company in 2004.
“The rewards go beyond anything tangible,” she said of working with the people of Greenwich.
“They’re both community places, and going public with the information [about the sale] is really to enlist the support of the community,” she added. “It takes more to run the businesses than everyone imagines.”
Ms. Lawton said her two teenage children are behind her continuing to be involved with the businesses, at which they both have part-time jobs.
“It’s good for my kids to see how community works,” Ms. Lawton said about her children’s involvement in the stores and witnessing the community coming together to help save them.
Ms. Lawton said she is hoping the businesses she’s worked hard to build up will stay as they are.
Ms. Lawton said last week she is open to all options. Mr. Barile said there is “nothing set in stone” and welcomes proposals from those interested in helping out. He may be reached at 698-3460. Also, Ms. Lawton may be reached at jenny@lawtonfamily.com.
More information about the stores is available at Justbooks.org and Arcadiacoffee.com.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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