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Family Run Bookstore Closing Is Sign Of Changing Industry

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo (CBS4) Bricks and mortar bookstores have struggled to keep doors open in the face of Internet sales and eReaders. Now after 26 years, the only bookstore in Breckenridge is closing its doors.

Weber's Bookstore has watched other stores close on Main Street now owners Jolanta and Charles Weber say it's their time to go.

For Jolanta, the store was more than a business, it was a classroom. She opened it after arriving from Poland and without knowing much English.

She learned from customers as they shared their love of books in conversations. "Emphasizing that face to face conversation there," Jolanta said.

Weber Books offered more than just bestsellers, it was full of books on local history, maps and posters.

"We've had a lot of people coming in here telling us just how many years they've been coming here on their vacation," said Charles said. "It's just felt good having people come in and say, 'We're going to miss you.'"

Other patrons have cried as they said their goodbyes.

Weber Bookstore is one of about 500 independent booksellers to close in the past decade but for Breckenridge it's especially tough, Weber's is the only bookstore in town.

"I think everyone of us would say we were trying to work very hard with the community," Jolanta said, "to actually stay in business and make some money."

And while the book business has gotten tougher in the past 26 years, the Webers say finances aren't the only reason for closing.

They say it's time to retire and start a new chapter of their lives.

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