Used-book store shuts down, ending a nine-year chapter

Among the last items to go from Books & More was the hand-written ''Back in 15 minutes" sign taped to the inside of the door frame. After nine years of operating a used-book store on the edge of Roslindale Village, owner Brian Frawley will not be back.

Moving among the empty shelves and remaining bric-a-brac on the penultimate day of business, Frawley explained his decision to close as financial as well as cultural.

''People seem to be reading less than they did in the past," said the gentlemanly Frawley, 66, above the hum of a steel-blade fan. ''Still, I know there are a lot of readers out there. We just weren't getting the foot traffic we needed to stay in business."

Well-wishers trickled in to lament the store's passing. Though they'll have two other choices in the village -- Pazzo Books and Village Books -- at which to browse and shop, they consider Frawley's character and company matchless.

''The neighborhood is losing a great guy," said Pam Pappas-Clarkin, 44, whose family runs an appliance store around the corner. ''Brian cared about his customers. He loved finding books he thought they'd enjoy."

Uninterested in going the Internet route that has helped to keep afloat a neighboring used-book store, Pazzo Books, Frawley said he plans to reactivate his law and real-estate licenses.

He recently sold his stock of 12,000-plus books to a local dealer, but plucked a few titles for himself.

''I've always been more of a reader than a collector or seller," said Frawley. ''That won't change."

RON FLETCHER