SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Sundance Books and Music signed an agreement last week with the Nevada Museum of Art to move into the museum-owned Levy House at the corner of California Avenue and South Sierra Street. The move comes on the 25th anniversary of the independent book and music store, currently located in the Keystone Shopping Center.
“The invitation to move into this glorious new home was a true gift,” said Dan Earl, Sundance co-owner. “We are really looking forward to welcoming our customers into this warm and inviting space.”
The Levy House was constructed in 1906 by German immigrant William Levy, then owner of Palace Dry Goods in Reno. The house, a wonderful example of Classical Revival style, is listed in the U.S. Register of Historic Places. The building features a grand central staircase under a pyramidal light well, gleaming parquet floors, rich wood wainscoting and original geometric paned windows.
“We think it’s the perfect home for our next 25 years,” said Earl. “The neighborhood is one of the oldest, most distinctive and liveliest sections of midtown Reno, with many local eateries, shops and boutiques, as well as the Nevada Museum of Art and the Great Basin Food Co-op. There is a lot of symmetry in featuring the works of local authors and artists next door to the museum and across the street from the region’s local-food hot spot. Our customers have always found it important to ‘keep it local,’ and our new location will allow them to make that choice with a distinctive flavor.
The decision to move came nearly simultaneous to Sundance Books and Music receiving the 2011 Judith Winzeler Award for Excellence in the Humanities from the Nevada Humanities Committee. Sundance was honored for its longstanding contribution to Nevada’s arts community, including countless events over 25 years to promote literacy, writing, reading, authors and books; its partnerships with Food Bank of Northern Nevada and Washoe County Regional Animal Services; and its work with the Washoe County School District to put books into the hands of students and teachers.
The store plans to continue expanding its extensive collection of Nevada titles and local authors, as well as all of its other categories. In recent years, Sundance has added music, e-books, used books and out-of-print searches, as well as many locally produced gifts, from photo cards to handmade soap to pottery. The beautiful built-in cabinetry of the Levy House will provide a fitting venue for displaying the many treasures featured at Sundance, and the warm, wood-lined parlor will provide an inviting backdrop for author events and performances.
“We’re also playing around with ideas for theme rooms,” said Earl. “There is a nook in the back that is just crying out to become Harry Potter’s ‘Cupboard Under the Stairs.’ The home’s original ice box, which was fed blocks of ice from outside, could make a good children’s mystery closet. We can’t wait for our loyal customers and our new patrons to come in and explore this wonderful old house.”
Sundance will be closed Memorial Day weekend to physically move the store, re-opening at 121 California Avenue on June 1. Store hours in the new location will be: Monday through Friday 9 am to 9 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.
“In a time of difficulty and uncertainty in the book industry, Sundance Books and Music is keeping the idea of independent bookselling and the arts alive and strong in northern Nevada,” said Earl. “We are looking forward to a bright future.”
NEW LOCATION
Opening Wednesday June 1st at 9:00 am
WHERE
Sundance Books and Music, 121 California Avenue, Reno, Nevada 89509 (775) 786-1188)
