Webster’s Announces April 14 Reopening on Beaver Avenue

Webster’s Bookstore Cafe will reopen April 14 in its new space at 133 E. Beaver Ave., State College, co-owner Elaine Meder-Wilgus said Thursday.

She said the basement-level business, in the former Creative Oasis space, will provide about 5,500 square feet of public space. That’s roughly double the public space it housed at 128 S. Allen St.

Webster’s did business for about 11 years at the Allen Street address — its original location — before it closed there in July 2010, having fallen behind on rent.

The operation has since restructured and developed a more sustainable business model, Meder-Wilgus has said. It’s streamlined operations, reduced overhead and formed an advisory board, she has said.

‘I’m so grateful for all the support and help that so many people have offered in so many ways, shapes and forms,’ Meder-Wilgus said Thursday.

Some highlights of the new space are outlined in this earlier report.

‘It’s pretty magical — to me, anyway,’ Meder-Wilgus said of the new location. ‘It has so much space. … It’s going to be book heaven. And we have room to do performances’ without the foot-traffic bottlenecks that formed at the Allen Street location.

She had hoped for a late-December 2011 opening at the Beaver Avenue location, she said. But the building’s heating system broke around Thanksgiving — forcing Webster’s to rework its plans and incorporate new ductwork, Meder-Wilgus said.

That was a key element in pushing back the reopening date.

Special attractions in April to accompany the reopening will include book-signing events, a late-month poetry festival and Sunday brunches with live music, Meder-Wilgus said. She said Sunday brunch will become a regular staple at Webster’s.

Hours are set for 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

Related coverage

• Webster’s to Reopen on East Beaver Avenue (Oct. 12, 2011)