Booksmith founder to sell Wellesley store

In a letter to customers, Marshall Smith said he's selling off the Wellesley Booksmith as part of his move toward retirement. He said he'll continue to own the Brookline Booksmith store in Coolidge Corner.

Smith said he is looking for a buyer who would continue and even strengthen the store's role as a community center as he begins to spend more time on the Cape:

I have been a bookseller for almost fifty years. What an extraordinary industry to devote your business life to. Difficult sometimes - yes. Rewarding most times - absolutely. I have taken great pride and pleasure in presenting the world of literature, of learning, of imagination to a broad audience. And there is always the excitement of being a part of that segment of society filled with people who love the printed word: Customers, authors, publishers, other booksellers. But especially the staff in the stores. There have been thousands of them over the years. Committed, involved, intelligent, quirky, always stimulating. It's a joy to be able to walk into the stores at any time and have a fun, challenging talk with anyone on the floor. There are hundreds of stories to write when I can spend more time on the dunes in Truro.