A beloved Cobb County landmark, Bookmiser, has temporarily shuttered its doors due to extensive smoke and soot damage following a fire in an adjacent business. The fire, which investigators believe may have originated from a lithium battery, occurred last Sunday, September 28, at a computer and cell phone repair shop within the same shopping plaza along Roswell Road. This incident left Bookmiser and several other local businesses in a state of disarray, with cleanup and repair efforts now in full swing.
Bookmiser, a fixture in its community since its opening in 1998, is grappling with the aftermath. In a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, Owner Annell Gerson revealed the heart of the store's problem: "The flooring, all of our contents inside, the ceiling tiles, the electrical, the whole attic area has to be washed and repainted."
While the physical storefront remains closed, Bookmiser stays active within the community. According to Gerson, the store's dedicated book clubs have found temporary residence in nearby establishments, and special book orders continue to be processed online, showcasing the resilience of the store and its connection to the community. "We are here for one reason and one reason only, and that’s because our community has kept us here," Gerson told FOX 5 Atlanta. Updates on recovery efforts are promised every Friday, keeping the customer base in the loop during these challenging times.
Other businesses at the Village East shopping center are also in recovery mode, with endeavors to navigate insurance processes and the physical cleanup itself after the weekend fire caused devastating smoke damage. "Everything’s covered in soot," said Gerson in a WSB-TV interview, detailing the widespread impact on businesses including an upholstery shop and Chinese restaurant. Despite these setbacks, Gerson remains hopeful for a fall reopening, emphasizing the perseverance of her small yet formidable bookstore: "We like to think that we’re tiny but mighty and we are still here," she told WSB-TV.
