Fire Claims Vineyard Literary Landmark

The many authors who call Martha's Vineyard their year-round or summer home are reeling from the closure of a much-loved bookstore that has been a center of the island's literary life.

The Bunch of Grapes Bookstore suffered water, heat, and smoke damage this holiday weekend after a blaze broke out at an adjacent café Friday morning. Located two blocks from the ferry terminal in Vineyard Haven, Mass., the elegant, two-story independent bookstore is a beacon for booklovers and a hub where one might spot Mike Wallace, Judy Blume, Jules Feiffer, Walter Cronkite, or Carly Simon browsing the shelves.

The Tisbury, Mass., fire chief, John Schilling, confirmed that the bookstore suffered heavy smoke and water damage to the first floor, heat and smoke damage to the second floor, and some structural damage to the exterior common wall it shared with Café Moxie, a restaurant that was consumed in the blaze.

The fire has left the many writers on the island saddened. Historian David McCullough said that founder Ann Nelson has "made the store a community center." She personifies the world of books, he said, making everyone feel welcome.

Robby Bick, who became manager of the store in 1998 and worked in that capacity for more than six years, said he got close to where the smoke was and it was so strong he later had to change clothes. He called the store an "anchor" in many people's lives.

Ms. Nelson could not be reached. A woman who answered the phone at Ms. Nelson's home said that Ms. Nelson was not speaking with press, and that no decisions had been made about what was going to be done with the store. The store's Web site says that the bookstore is closed for the foreseeable future due to a serious fire. "We will update the website as more information is available," it says.

Vineyard residents are filled with praise for this bookselling institution, which Publishers Weekly named Bookseller of the Year in 2003. "It's a little beehive of intellectual activity," said Connie Borde, who recently translated Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex," to be published by Random House in 2009. She said the store has been the quintessential place where one goes to learn. More than a commercial establishment, she said, it was both library and meeting space for those interested in ideas and books. "It's the bookstore," said cookbook author Joan Nathan, who last week had attended an event there where Dr. Irvin Yalom spoke on psychiatry and his wife, Marilyn Yalom, discussed the history of cemeteries.

The store has memories for many. Mr. McCullough recalled the time his book on Truman came out. When the 1,000th copy of that book was sold at the store, Ms. Nelson made a small celebration with balloons, and the author came to join in the festivities. Author Ward Just said that lines for Mr. McCullough's readings at the store are "formidable," going out the door and around the block.

Mr. Bick recalled the time another popular author visited the store. He said that Random House once gave him 48 hours' advance notice that President Clinton would be coming in to sign books. The line flowed down Main Street, Ms. Borde recalls.

The bookstore is known for smaller events as well. Ms. Nathan said the store goes out of its way to supply books for off-site receptions and events. "The store is very helpful to the community," she said.

Mr. McCullough said a number of students visit the store each summer to find books that are on school reading lists. The tourists and regulars scan announcements of readings placed in the windows.

Mr. Just said the Bunch of Grapes store is one of the "ornaments of the island." He said that not only has the store had an exceptionally fine stock, but clerks would find any book for a customer. He said for people like him who do not purchase books online: "We need a bookstore."

Mr. Feiffer said the fire was a tragic occurrence. He said the Bunch of Grapes was one of the best stores not only on the East Coast but nationally. Alan Dershowitz said of the store: "It's my second home."

Mr. Just said he could not believe the store would stay idle for long. "It's too important for those of us on the island for it to go away," he said. There is at least one sign of recovery on view, however: Mr. Bick said someone put a donation box in front of the store.