BookHampton Has a New Owner

Following weeks of speculation, the mystery buyer of BookHampton has finally been revealed.

"Carolyn Brody is the buyer," confirmed Charline Spektor, the East Hampton bookstore's longtime owner, early Monday. "We're tying up a few loose ends, but the keys are being handed over this week."

Ms. Spektor, who purchased BookHampton in 2000, described Ms. Brody as a "wonderful customer and wonderful reader who's beginning an exciting chapter in her own life."

"I love bookstores. I've wanted to own a bookstore since I was 9 years old," Ms. Brody said Tuesday. "I consider a bookstore an integral part of the community."

A civic leader, Ms. Brody has lived in East Hampton for 30 years as a summer and weekend resident. An advocate for the arts and the environment, Ms. Brody has served as chairwoman emerita of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as past chairwoman of the National Building Museum, and was appointed by President Clinton to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. In addition, she has been a real estate consultant to the World Bank and a real estate investment banker at First Boston Corporation.

For the time being, the bookstore will remain closed, with brown paper covering its windows, until "sometime in May," as it undergoes a minor facelift. Once it reopens, Ms. Brody confirmed it would remain open year round.

As for the six full-time employees, Ms. Brody plans to meet with them later this week. "My hope is that they'll stay," she said.

BookHampton was first opened on Newtown Lane in 1971 by George Caldwell and Jorge Costello, known as "the Georges." The bookstore later moved to Main Street before landing across the street in its current location next to Starbucks. Hal Zwick briefly purchased it before Ms. Spektor and Jeremy Nussbaum, her husband, who died in 2012, bought it in 2000.

Besides the East Hampton and Southampton stores, the couple also opened locations in Sag Harbor, Amagansett, and Mattituck, all of which closed in recent years. In November, Ms. Spektor sold the Southampton store to Daniel Hirsch and Gregory Harris, two former employees.

Ms. Spektor can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that the last remaining location has been sold. Since losing her husband and then receiving a breast cancer diagnosis shortly thereafter, she credits the East Hampton community for its support and kindness, enabling her to get back on her feet.

Now healthy, besides finishing two plays, Ms. Spektor plans to devote her free time to gun control advocacy.

Mostly, Ms. Spektor looks forward to returning to BookHampton as a loyal customer — with Ms. Brody now positioned on the other side of the counter.