Willow Books in Acton is for sale.

Thomas Grillo
Real Estate Editor- Boston Business Journal

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After 18 years as a bookseller, David Didriksen is putting his Willow Books and Cafe in Acton on the market.

“It’s time,” said Didriksen, 63. “I’m basically retiring, but my side career has been to play in a jazz band. This summer alone, I’m scheduled to play at four jazz festivals. I hope there’s someone out there who wants to keep this independent book store going.”

Established in 1996, the 10,000-square-foot store at 279 Great Road has been a success, persevering and flourishing through significant changes in the retail environment, according to Didriksen.

For years, the store has offered a good selection of books, a commitment to the community, a dedicated staff and guest authors. Many sports personalities have made appearances including Bobby Orr, Dustin Pedroia, Bill Russell and Tedy Bruschi. Adult authors Jodi Picoult, Judy Collins and Giada Delaurentis have visited. Children’s authors have included such notables as Tomie de Paola, Jan Brett, and Mike Lupica.

The store hosted “Harry Potter Nights” that were attended by thousands of fans, eager for an enchanted evening and midnight madness sales, Didriksen said.

The sale does not include the real estate. Willow Books and Café is represented by Ridge Hill Partners of Needham who has brokered other Greater Boston independent book stores, including Harvard Book Store, Porter Square Books, Wellesley Booksmith and New England Mobile Book Fair.

Didriksen won’t say how much he hopes to get from the sale and he declined to reveal the store’s revenues.

“I can say we do pretty well,” he said. “And last year was our most profitable year in five years.”