Group of customers buys Brazos Bookstore

Best news of the weekend so far, at least for local readers: 14 Brazos Bookstore customers have banded together to buy the store and keep it open. Houstonist is so happy we could cry — except that would be a little odd.

We heard earlier this year about how Karl Killian, who has owned the Brazos since 1974, had taken a job with the Menil Collection that would require him to sell or close the bookstore. Killian said back then that he would only sell to a buyer who would not just keep running the store, but would improve it — and it sounds like the new owners just might do that. The group of investors came togeher in late April, led by investment counselor Edward R. Allen III and publisher Babette Hale (she's Leon Hale's wife, by the way); many of them are involved with Houston's cultural and literary scenes. Veteran bookseller Jane Moser will manage the store; staffers Paul Forsythe, Sally Woods and Kathy Killian (she's Karl's wife) will say on board.

The new owners say they'll continue Brazos' tradition of readings from new and famous authors, and they promise expanded children's and young adult sections. Moser's even looking into online bookselling, according to the Chronicle. For his part, Killian said he's happy with the sale and hopes the new crew will be "open to doing things I never did or didn't think to do or didn't get around to." If you want to meet the new owners, they're planning an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the store, 2421 Bissonnet.