After 32 years, The Book Fair in Spring Hill to close
Ruth Wharton is an avid reader who has spent a few chapters of her life surrounded by every genre of literature imaginable. In fact, paperbacks and hardcovers have done more than help feed her imagination. They’ve sustained her financially for more than 30 years.
Five days a week, Wharton unlocks the door of The Book Fair, her cozy book store in Spring Hill, next door to Papa Clyde’s Ice Cream Shoppe on Kass Circle. The outside window is decorated with specials, upcoming events and lots of images of books. Inside, the shop is creatively uncluttered, with shelves bursting with an amass of themes, titles and styles, from children’s classics to popular modern authors.
Wharton spends her days chatting with regular customers, many who have stopped in to pick up a book they had ordered, others who just like to browse her selection of more than 2,500 titles. And she enjoys every customer, calling many by name.
But Wharton, though vibrant at 73, is getting tired. A few recent annoying health issues have slowed her down and triggered some thoughts of retirement. She has thought about it before but always brushed it off, not ready to rest. And then, a fall that caused some troublesome injuries brought her to the grim reality that time is never guaranteed.
She has grandchildren she enjoys visiting and dreams of helping others, characteristic of a longtime nurse. And she mentioned volunteering at Hospice is something she’s always wanted to do.
“I’ll miss this place,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she pauses. “But my batteries are running out.”
The story of The Book Fair reads like a well crafted tale, with enough memories to sustain Wharton long after the adjustment to retirement has set in. She built her American dream after leaving her career in nursing, ready to try her hand at a new venture that might provide a modest income while igniting a passion that would seem more like a hobby than work.
Her nursing skills, built atop a foundation of genuine care for others, made her the ideal candidate for a retail business where front counter customer care is a must. And her love of reading made the idea of a used bookstore an interesting prospect.
Resourceful and independent, Wharton built her own shop from a few boxes of donated books. And throughout the store’s 32 years in the same location, she has tried different things to keep her doors open.
Sabra Batten and her granddaughter, Gabrielle Batten, 22, became hooked on the cute little book shop that stocks their favorite authors, orders by request and provides a book swap opportunity. Sabra Batten traveled from eastern Hernando County to pick up a book she’d ordered and was excited to learn that the Book Fair was having a buy one get one special. The two walked out with six titles.
“I’ve been coming a long time,” Sabra Batten said. “We come maybe a couple times a month.”
Her granddaughter, a product of today’s technological era, prefers to read on her phone. But she enjoys accompanying her grandmother to the store.
These are the customers Wharton will miss, she said. She has become close with those who have helped make the Book Fair a success, marking its 32nd anniversary on Saturday with an annual celebration.
“I love my customers,” Wharton said.
She has goodies planned, gifts to give away and the announcement that she will be closing her doors by spring of next year. Ideally she would like to secure a buyer who will keep the legacy alive. The business is currently on the market.
If not, both Wharton and The Book Fair will be closing the final chapter.
But Wharton’s worries that her customers will think she’s deserted them. Many have credits they need to use which is why she decided to stay open for at least three months.
She crafted a letter explaining her decision to close the store.
“I don’t know what I will do the first day I don’t have to open the shop,” she said. “I’m hoping each day will get easier.”
She said this as she pulled out a picture of a topical drink on the beach and smiled.
Email Hernando Today correspondent Kim Dame at [email protected].
Biz at a Glance
Name: The Book Fair
Address: 1219 Kass Circle; Spring Hill, FL 33606
Phone: (352) 688-1682
