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July 14, 2010 at 4:59 AM
Developers work with Webster's
The Downtown State College Improvement District (DSCID) is partnering with Webster's Bookstore Café owner Elaine Meder-Wilgus to help find the store a new location.
Meder-Wilgus announced last week that her 128 S. Allen St. location will close because she fell behind on rent payments. Meder-Wilgus also runs another location at 434 W. Aaron Drive.
Downtown business developers are working to ensure the bookstore's closing is only temporary and Meder-Wilgus said she is looking to reopen the store at a new location.
DSCID Director Jody Alessandrine said the "biggest problem" facing Webster's is finding a new location as quickly as possible.
"The important thing is that [Meder-Wilgus] continues without missing a beat," Alessandrine said. "I think everyone who is involved is committed to helping her as much as they can, as soon as they can."
Even though he could not be specific, Alessandrine said Meder-Wilgus has been looking at locations that are currently available and others that could be available at a later time, due to current occupation.
"Things are in the air," Alessandrine said. "Things are circling the airport and nothing's on the ground."
As the DSCID works to keep the bookstore in the downtown area, Webster's patrons are raising support for the bookstore within the community.
Joel Solkoff, a patron and supporter of the café and bookstore, spoke about Webster's and the impact the store has on the community at the State College Borough Council meeting Monday night.
Solkoff requested a resolution recognizing the importance of Webster's to the area and asked the council to enter into communications with the building landlord and tenant. While council members were unwilling to interfere with private matters concerning the two parties, the council would allow him to write up a draft stating Webster's significance to the community, Solkoff said.
Solkoff said he will work with borough council member Peter Morris -- a frequent patron of the bookstore -- to draft the proposed resolution.
"It would not ask for anything more substantial than a statement on the part of the council that Webster's Bookstore Café has served for over a decade as a central part of this community," Solkoff said. "And that it hopes that [Webster's] can continue to serve the residents of downtown State College."
"Solidarity for Webster's Bookstore Café," a Facebook group created to organize supporters for Webster's, will hold a meeting at the café tonight at 6 to talk about possible ideas for fundraising and gathering letters of support to give to Meder-Wilgus.
Daniel Hickey, the group's creator, said the group is meant to rally support from Penn State students and professors who have left State College for the summer but still care about the bookstore.
Meder-Wilgus said the "Save Webster's Bookstore Café" petition has received more than 3,000 signatures from patrons who wish to see the store remain open.
"It's an incredible show of support in a little less than a week," Meder-Wilgus said.
Along with support from petitions, patrons have planned several fundraisers, including an event featuring performances from local musicians.
Meder-Wilgus said the fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at the bookstore.
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