Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops
{{Short description|American bookshop chain}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops
| logo =
| logo_size = 200px
| image = File:Sherman's Book Store.jpg
| image_caption = The flagship store, Bar Harbor, Maine (2017)
| type = Private
| foundation = Bar Harbor, Maine, U.S. {{Start date and age|1886|p=yes}}
| founder = William Henry Sherman
| location =
| locations = 9 shops (December 2022)
| area_served =
| key_people = Jeff Curtis (chief executive officer, co-owner)
Maria Boord Curtis (director of operations, co-owner)
| products = Books, stationery
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.shermans.com/}}
}}
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops (formerly Sherman's Book Store) is a book and stationery retailer operating in Maine, United States. It is the oldest bookstore in the state, having been established in 1886,{{Cite web |last=Forecaster |first=Kristen McNerneyThe |date=2021-08-27 |title=Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop docks in Topsham and Windham |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2021/08/27/shermans-maine-coast-book-shop-docks-in-topsham-and-windham/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Press Herald}} and is one of the ten oldest bookstores in the United States.{{Cite news |title=Maine’s oldest bookstore gets reestablished in Midcoast with new Rockland store |language=en |work=Boothbay Register |url=https://www.boothbayregister.com/article/maine-s-oldest-bookstore-gets-reestablished-midcoast-new-rockland-store/149700 |access-date=2022-12-23}}
The chain's flagship store is on Main Street in Bar Harbor, opened by William Henry Sherman. That store remains open, and as of 2022, eight other stores are in operation. They are located in Damariscotta, Boothbay Harbor, Freeport, Rockland, Topsham, Windham, Falmouth and Portland.{{Cite web |last=Kevin |first=Brian |date=2015-12-21 |title=Cover Story - Indie Bookstores - Sherman's Bookstore |url=https://downeast.com/arts-leisure/shermans-maine-coast-book-shops/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Down East Magazine |language=en-US}} A store in Camden opened in 2004, but closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.{{Cite web |title=About Us {{!}} Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop |url=https://www.shermans.com/about-us |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=www.shermans.com}}
History
In 1866, William Henry Sherman, a native of Sullivan, Maine, established a printing press, W. H. Sherman, Printer & Stationer, in Bar Harbor. It printed the town's newspaper, the Bar Harbor Times, as well as his own works and that of some of Bar Harbor's year-round and summer residents.
At the turn of the century, when the books and stationery branch of the business was the emphasis, Sherman's four daughters began running the company.
William Sherman died in 1928, aged 62.
The quartet sold the business to the Curtis family in 1962. A third generation of the family became involved in the business in 2013.
In 2016, the company changed its name to Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops after purchasing Maine Coast Books in Damariscotta.
In April 2025, it was announced that a tenth location will open in Saco, Maine, by Memorial Day.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-01 |title=New bookstores coming to Biddeford and Saco |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2025/04/01/new-bookstores-coming-to-biddeford-and-saco/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Press Herald}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.shermans.com/}}
{{Portal bar|Books|Companies|United States}}
Category:Chain bookstores of the United States
Category:Book selling websites
Category:Retail companies of the United States
Category:Bookstores established in the 19th century
Category:American companies established in 1886
Category:Retail companies established in 1886