Extra

Having shut its doors for only one day, Black Oak Books reopened today (Tuesday) under the new ownership of Gary Cornell, who hails from Connecticut.  

The North Shattuck Avenue store was closed for business on Monday and the locks were changed while staff met inside to discuss the change. The sudden unexplained close of Black Oak Books Monday caused some anxiety in a town that a week ago saw the abrupt demise of the last Cody’s Books store.  

The shopping strip where Black Oak is located does not appear to be thriving, apart from Saul’s deli. The former Lobelia’s Clothing adjacent to Black Oak is empty and Papyrus next to Lobelia’s is closing Friday. 

Black Oak reportedly has been for sale for more than a year. The new owner intends to keep the old name and likely will keep one of the former owners on during a transition period, according to David Ruegg, who owns the property. 

Cornell was not available for comment.