I'm on the east coast for school, but come back home to Illinois occasionally. Went to a coffee shop to study for a bit, then decided to drop by and say hi to Mary Beth, the owner of the bookstore (called I Know You Like a Book) , on the way home. I'd been a customer of hers for years and loved browsing her store and picking up recommendations by her. She was also hugely supportive of local authors and stocked my books at her store

I noticed from a distance that the building had been repainted but didn't think much of it. Then I got closer and found that the store had been replaced by some kind of interior design place. I walked in and asked where IKYLAB went, and the lady at the counter dropped a bombshell on me: not only had the store closed, but Mary Beth had passed away in July

Went home just feeling weird. I saw her last year when I came home for Thanksgiving and bought a couple of books that she recommended (Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead and Women Talking). I'd wanted to tell her that I really enjoyed both, but damn, I wish I would have tried reaching out sooner

Just wanted to share this with someone. Support your local bookstores and stay well and healthy people