Book, Coffee Corner closing after 40 years

Long lines of people waited to pay for their discounted books, toys and collectibles during the final clearance sales at the Book and Coffee Corner this past weekend.

The store, which opened in 1974, will be closing its doors permanently later this month, according to Cindy Rohm, current owner of the business.

"Unless you want to buy it," she said while checking out customers at one of the registers. "I'll hand you the keys."

Rohm cited lack of patronage in the Book Corner as the reason for the closure.

"This is a fluke," she said, referring to the huge turnout of patrons milling around the store, their arms loaded with books, toys and other items. "Not enough people buy coffee to run a business."

Contrary to popular rumor, the delayed completion of 10th Avenue road construction earlier this summer, which prevented parking in the front of the store, was not the cause of Rohm's decision to close up shop.

"It was sort of like the last straw," she said.

"It's like Larry's and Becky's," she said, referring to Larry's Clothing, which closed its doors in December, and Becky's Health Hut, which is soon to close.

"Hopefully, after we're gone, people will support the businesses that are left."

Rohm could not be reached for comment regarding the Coffee Corner locations in Sidney Regional Medical Center and Cabela's corporate offices.