Explore Booksellers and Bistro Sells for $4.6 Million

Aspen Daily News
David Danforth, Publisher

March 7, 2007

Sam and Cheryl Wyly, the well-known and wealthy Texan couple with an affection for Aspen, purchased Explore Booksellers and Bistro on March 5 for $4.6 million.

Sagacity LLC, which is controlled by the Wylys, was the recorded buyer for the sale. The daughters of the late Katharine Thalberg, who founded the bookstore in 1975, announced the pending sale earlier this year.

The future of the bookstore came into question last year when Thalberg passed away. Thalberg's three daughters controlled the bookstore in Thalberg's absence, but all had their own lives and careers to attend to, which made running the bookstore a daunting task. The bookstore had been listed on the market for $5.2 million.

The bookstore is housed in a historic Victorian on Main Street and includes a bistro that specializes in vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Before becoming the owners, the Wylys had been loyal Explore customers.

The Wylys have said they don't intend to change the bookstore they love.

Thalberg's daughter Brooke Anderson has said she couldn't be more pleased.

"My family is so pleased that Explore has a future," Anderson said. The Wyly's philanthropy is not new in Aspen. Their donations built the Aspen animal shelter, the Wyly Community Arts Center - a building on the Colorado Mountain College campus, and supported The Buddy Program, among other organizations.