a woman standing in front of a book shelf

Kennett book lover buys Hockessin BookShelf to keep store open

Betsy PriceBusiness, Headlines

Rebecca Dowling, left, has sold the Hockessin BookShelf to Jan Blab, right.   A Kennett Square bibliophile upset that the Hockessin BookShelf was closing now owns the store. Already among the independent book store’s clients and fierce fans, Jen Blab has spent a good chunk of her life managing book stores or working in libraries, so the idea of buying …

hockessin bookShelf

Hockessin BookShelf closing Dec. 15 as owner moves to California

Ken MammarellaBusiness, Headlines

    “I am in shock,” Vicki Knotts said. “I went through a box of tissues.” What shocked Knotts – a customer, book club member and event-goer – is the announcement that the Hockessin BookShelf is closing. The store opened in 2002, and employee Rebecca Dowling bought it in 2007. The closure, effective Dec. 15, is “bittersweet news,” she wrote …