As the market for brick-and-mortar bookstores lessens, the space that once housed big-box retailers could very well be snatched up faster than a paperback at a liquidation sale.

It was 40 years ago that the first Borders opened its doors in Ann Arbor, Mich., as one of the originators of the big-box bookseller concept. But much to local bookworms’ dismay, Borders will now be known as yet another bookseller to be defeated by the ever-increasing eReader revolution.

2. Burke’s Books Building Reopens As Auto Shop - Thursday, September 25, 2008

A new chapter began this week in the home of the former Burkes’ Book Store at 1719 Poplar Ave. in Midtown. After months of extensive renovations and additions to the 84-year-old structure, it has reopened as Steve’s Tire & Auto Service Center.

3. Partnership Turns New Page for Vacant Burke's Building - Thursday, April 17, 2008

The former Burke's Book Store at 1719 Poplar Ave. has sold for $445,000 to Poplar Auto Partners, an investment group headed by commercial real estate broker Mark Johnson.

The sale closed April 7, the same day the company filed a $1.1 million construction loan through Covenant Bank for renovations to the 84-year-old building's exterior and interior, according to the Shelby County Register of Deeds.

4. Party in the Neighborhood: Cooper-Young event to mirror S. Main trolley tour - Monday, March 03, 2008

Cheryl Mesler, who co-owns Burke's Book Store in Midtown with her husband, Corey, is doubly excited about the book signing happening in April to promote Corey's new book of poems, "Some Identity Problems."

5. New Cooper-Young 'Biz Director Puts Neighborhood's Character to Use - Tuesday, June 05, 2007

It's a new job, but also a homecoming of sorts.

When Lyn Patrick Myers signed on as the director of the Cooper-Young Business Association (CYBA) at the end of March, the job brought her back to the eclectic Memphis neighborhood close to where she grew up.

6. Burke's Sketches New BiographyWith Move to Cooper-Young Area - Friday, March 23, 2007
     Thursday, a new chapter began in the life of one of Memphis' oldest and best-loved fixtures, Burke's Book Store at 1719 Poplar Ave.
     Co-owners Cheryl and Corey Mesler, along with a host

7. The Next Chapter Unfolds in Tale of Two Bookstores - Monday, September 11, 2006

The numbers he was crunching seemed too good to ignore.

Hugh Hollowell - a former financial planner-turned-bookstore owner - wanted to expand Midtown Books, the small used book shop he once operated across the street from Blue Monkey on Madison Avenue.

8. A Closing Chapter for Burke's? - Thursday, May 04, 2006

In the winner-take-all, Texas hold 'em competition that is the world of retail, how many small bookstore owners can say they have a credit card slip signed by actor Gene Hackman lovingly taped to their refrigerator?

9. Archived Article: Small Biz - Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Burkes

Burkes a Mainstay in Local Book Scene

LANCE ALLAN

The Daily News

Its a marriage built on books. Theres just no other way to describe the relationship of Cheryl and Corey Mesler, owners of Burkes Book Store.

I hired her to marry...

10. Archived Article: Trends Focus - Monday, September 15, 2003
Lost signs, lost advertising thanks to storm

Damaged Signs Mean Dollar Signs for Some

ANDREW BELL

The Daily News

The first thing Cheryl Mesler who owns Burkes Bookstore along with her husband, Corey saw when she arrived to work early Jul...