Print
Retail

Downtown Bookstore Changes Hands

By Cece Nunn, posted Jun 23, 2017
Christine Greer is the new owner of Two Sisters Bookery at The Cotton Exchange in downtown Wilmington. (Photo courtesy of MoMentum Companies)
The new owner of Two Sisters Bookery left her position as a hospice nurse to become an independent bookseller in Wilmington.

Christine Greer bought the business, signing a three-year lease to continue occupying the store’s current location at The Cotton Exchange, for an undisclosed amount this week.

Katie, the store’s popular calico cat, will continue to reside there, Greer said.

Greer’s daughter, Amanda Driskill, first saw the Two Sisters sale announcement in an internet post by Island Books in Kitty Hawk, a bookstore that Greer and Driskill have always loved, Greer said.

“She sent it to me. She’s also an avid reader," said Greer of the 22-year-old Driskill, who graduated recently from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. "That’s a passion we share."

Greer (pictured at right) also has twin sons who are 21 years old. As a result of her purchase of Two Sisters, Greer and one of her sons are moving from Fredericksburg to a condominium she owns in North Topsail Beach.

For now, she’s setting aside her career as a registered nurse to focus on Two Sisters Bookery.

“I’ll always be a nurse, but this is an exciting new adventure,” she said.

Previous owner Barbara Galvin, who purchased Two Sisters in 2011, will be on hand for about a month or as long as the new owner needs her as Greer settles in to her new job as bookseller. Galvin announced in May that she wanted to sell the store because she was ready to retire and spend some time traveling.

Galvin said in a Facebook post that she feels the store is in good hands with Greer.

The 40-year-old business drew interest from 13 potential buyers within about 48 hours of listing the sale online, said Joan Loch of MoMentum Companies, who brokered the transaction.

“That reinforces the love and connection people still have for independent booksellers, particularly the following that Two Sisters Bookery has built over the years,” said Loch, whose company recently added business sales to its specialties.

One of the most recent books Greer has read is Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant. The book includes advice for coping with grief; Greer’s husband, John Greer, died about 14 months ago, another reason she wanted to make a change in her life, she said.

Greer also lost her father in 2015 and before that, her mother.

“My parents would be really proud of me, and John supported me in everything and anything always,” Greer said, about what her relatives would think of her decision to buy Two Sisters. "I got my love of reading from my mom. She would take us to the library the first week of summer break, and we'd come out of there with any and every book we could check out, the limit they would allow."

At Two Sisters, Greer said she doesn't plan to make any drastic changes right away.

“I do have a lot of marketing ideas and a lot of event ideas, and I’m pretty savvy with social media, so I think I’m going to maximize that,” she said.

Greer hopes to schedule more local author book signings at Two Sisters.

“I’ve been researching local authors. There’s a really nice line of local books in there [at the store], and I’d just really like to take advantage of that,” she said.

Story On The Map

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Jane

It’s Child’s Play

Jane Morrow - Smart Start of New Hanover County
Headshotrosaliecalarco 1182131047

Help Stop Government Impersonator Scams

Cfss headshots parker robert webversion 21422121214

The Latest Solar Scams and What You Can Do to Help Stop Them

Robert Parker - Cape Fear Solar Systems

Trending News

Passenger Rail Study Picks Eastern Route

Emma Dill - May 3, 2024

Entrepreneur Brings Young Tech Startup From Triangle To Wilmington

Audrey Elsberry - May 3, 2024

Biden To Announce National $3B Lead Pipe Replacement Project In Wilmington Visit

Audrey Elsberry - May 2, 2024

The Husk, YoSake Sell In Downtown Wilmington

Jessica Maurer - May 3, 2024

UPDATE: Biden Shares Details On National Lead Pipe Funding At Wilmington Talk

Audrey Elsberry - May 2, 2024

In The Current Issue

CEA Technology Winner: UNCW Grad Hooks Catchy Idea

Landon Hill's Local Catch app looks to streamline communication between stakeholders in the local fishing and seafood industry....


CEA Health Care Winner: Tech Helps Fight Fatal Infection

The intersection of medicine and technology sits at the core of Morris Nguyen's biotech startup, Predicate Healthcare Performance Group (HPG...


Meet The 2024 CEA Winners

Meet the category winners for this year's Coastal Entrepreneur Awards. CEA’s goal is to shine a spotlight on up-and-coming companies, helpin...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season