Re: “Romano Dealing for Downtown Bookstore” 

Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells, who steps down at this evening’s 7 o’clock City Council after an eventful year in office, believes it is too early to discuss her role in potentially placing a bookstore in the bosom of Downtown.

A half-century has passed since the last bookstore in Downtown closed.

In the wake of a revelation by entrepreneur Renato Romano that he hopes to close a deal by May 15 to place a bookstore in the 9432 Washington Blvd., property he owns, near the Culver Hotel and Pacific Theatres, the mayor said “Wow! I had no idea.”

Mr. Romano had told the newspaper that Ms. Sahli-Wells had brought him together with bookstore owners in Northern California, and that accelerated his store opening plans.

The mayor modestly minimized her role.

“I just happen to know some wonderful people who own a bookstore in Sonoma,” she said. “They have a wonderful (new-book) store, not a specialty shop. It is just a normal bookstore, independently owned.

“They happen to be moving to the L.A. area. Since (Mr. Romano) had mentioned his plans to me, I mentioned his idea to them. Beyond that, that is the whole story as far as I am concerned.”

Since no arrangements have been finalized, Ms. Sahli-Wells didn’t want to get out in front of the story.

The mayor, who lives near Downtown, has “been saying for years that we needed a bookstore Downtown.

“I am so glad (Mr. Romano) is excited about it.”