After four decades serving the Wauwatosa community, The Little Read Book is preparing to close its doors, with its last day of business slated for July 18.

Owner Linda Burg has operated the beloved bookstore since July of 1985 when she opened the inaugural location for the shop on Harwood Avenue. Burg says she initially conceived as a “coffee shop that sold books,” but eventually switched gears, becoming a bookstore that gave away free coffee. 

Friendly and cozy, The Little Read Book became a gathering place for book lovers, moving to its current location on State Street in 1989. From there, it became a destination for three generations of families who patronized the shop.

But Burg says it was the loyalty of the bookstore’s customers that pulled her through 40 years of business. 

 “They got us through COVID,” she says. “We were closed, but we sold books out the side door, and people would come with their masks on. The most I can wish for any independent bookstore is to have a customer base as loyal as ours has been.”

Despite many requests to open additional locations of the shop, Burg says she always refused. 

“We always said no, because my kid couldn’t have jumped on his bike and come have a sandwich with me anywhere else,” Burg says. “We’re not that kind of independent bookstore—we’re just a local mom and pop store. We never wanted to be anything else.”

In recent years, Burg ran the shop with the assistance of her husband Fred, who retired from his career in social work. As they wind down their final days at the shop, they say they are looking forward to spending more time with their eight grandchildren, who range in age from nine to 20 years old.

Little Read Book’s full inventory will be on sale beginning June 15.

Hours for the Little Read Book are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week. But guests are encouraged to call to confirm hours during these final days in business.