Cover to Cover bookstore was first opened in 1980 by teacher Sally Oddi. Her store in Clintonville earned a reputation as the place to go for children, parents and teachers for classic children's literature and the best of what's new. As the store grew, she was able to accommodate additional teachers' resources and make room for the expanding Young Adult category. She got know many of the customers personally, and was excited to show them new books that fit their interests.
Sally's philosophy on encouraging a love of reading in children is "a love of reading comes from reading a lot, letting them see the variety that’s out there, and watching you read and seeing the value you place on reading."
In 2017, Sally retired and sold Cover to Cover to Melia Wolf, a former art teacher. The old Clintonville location was converted to a workout facility. The new Cover to Cover opened January 2018 at 2116 Arlington Avenue in Columbus. Sally worked closely with Melia throughout.
“We hope to serve the community in the same way. I am so grateful for the time I’ve spent with Sally. She’s been very nurturing. I’m thankful she respected me enough to allow me to do this. These are big shoes to step into.”, Melia told Business First Columbus.
"I have great memories of taking my sons to storytime and author visits in Clintonville. We would spend hours in the store reading. I'd like to keep that opportunity alive for other families.", she said.
A New Chapter Begins for Cover to Cover
By Julie Moran Alterio on Monday, Dec 04, 2017
Independent bookstore Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers has a new owner after 37 years and will open in a new neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, in January. Melia Wolf, a former art teacher, purchased Cover to Cover in July from founders Sally Oddi and Randy King after they put the business up for sale in anticipation of retirement. Cover to Cover, which had moved to the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus in the 1990s, will reopen in Upper Arlington. The store’s previous location is being converted to a gym. “When I was in school to become a teacher, I was taken to Cover to Cover by my mentor and introduced to Sally, and I fell in love with the store,” Wolf told Bookselling This Week. “I have a 19-year-old who, over the years, I took there and read to him and purchased books and went to author visits.” (read more)
The Next Wave of Children's Bookstores: Part One
The children’s specialty stores that are helping to create an indie bookselling renaissance
By Judith Rosen | Dec 12, 2017
This is the first in a two-part series, providing an in-depth look at new and soon-to-open children’s bookstores.
The number of independent bookstores in the U.S. has risen 35% since 2009, according to American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher. While the bulk of the roughly 2,320 ABA bookstore locations comprise general bookstores, children’s specialty stores have also contributed to the increase. In recent years, not only have new children’s bookstores opened around the country, but established stores like 37-year-old Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers in Columbus, Ohio, have changed hands. New owners like Melia Wolf are investing heavily in their businesses. Following her purchase last summer, Wolf closed the store and is in the midst of moving it to a new neighborhood, where it will reopen in January. (read more)