A Sykesville bookstore that brings nationally recognized authors for book signings and talks to Carroll County has announced a merger with a Severna Park bookshop.
Debbie Scheller, who has owned A Likely Story for 18 years, announced she will merge with Park Books of Severna Park to create an expanded literary hub for the region. The merger, set to be official as of Jan. 1, will combine the deep-rooted reputation and expertise of Scheller with the creative vision and innovation of Melody Wukitch, owner of Park Books, according to a news release.
The staff of both organizations will work together during the transition, focusing on maintaining personalized customer service that patrons have come to appreciate at both stores, according to the release.
“I am thrilled to bring together these two beloved independent bookstores to create something extraordinary for both communities,” Wukitch said in a statement. “Debbie has been a true pioneer in fostering a vibrant book community in Maryland. I look forward to building upon her legacy while infusing new energy and creative ideas into this next chapter.”
Scheller also expressed excitement about the merger.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving Carroll County readers for many years, and this merge allows us to expand our reach and bring even more diverse and innovative literary experiences to our communities,” she said in the release. “With our shared vision, I am confident that our expanded team will make a lasting impact.”
Both stores will rebrand to reflect their commitment to becoming one unified entity.
“It’s an important step,” Scheller said in a statement, “however, we’re not in a rush; we’re excited to see how each store evolves as we bring our teams together.”
Brown Plus receives inaugural 2025 America’s Best Workplaces Award
Regional accounting and advisory firm Brown Plus has been named a recipient of the inaugural 2025 America’s Best Workplaces Award in the medium company category by Best Companies Group and BridgeTower Media.
America’s Best Workplaces Awards identify and honor the best places of employment across the United States, according to Brown Plus. Winners of the America’s Best Workplaces Award were previously recognized by Best Companies Group in at least one other data-driven employer recognition program.
The award honors numerous employers and ranks the top 10 workplaces in small, medium and large business categories, according to Brown Plus. The final rankings of the top 10 best workplaces will be announced at a virtual celebration, Dec. 18.
“It is a great honor for Brown Plus to be recognized not just among the top accounting firms to work for, but among the top overall workplaces to work for in the country,” Ken Wolfe, president and managing principal at Brown Plus said in a statement. “We are dedicated to providing extraordinary service to our clients and communities, and that starts with providing an extraordinary experience to our professionals who serve them. I’m incredibly proud of our team members who have shaped our many policies and initiatives that have helped to establish Brown Plus as a nationally recognized place to work.”
Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process and analyzed the data to determine the final rankings, according to Brown Plus. The rankings were determined based upon Best Companies Group’s algorithm, which factored in data from each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices and demographics, as well as data from an employee survey that measured employee experience. The overall scores determined which workplaces were recognized and which were ranked in the top of their category.
Taneytown to celebrate Small Business Saturday
The City of Taneytown will participate in the annual Small Business Saturday this weekend. During the event kids can craft their own ornaments, make holiday wreaths and decorate gingerbread men. All are welcome to stop at the Taneytown Police Station for “cocoa with the popo,” according to an event posting on the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce website.
Bob Cratchit & The Bookkeepers will perform live music. Attendees can also participate in Christmas karaoke with DJ Yeti.
Events are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday.
McDaniel College staff members earn 2024 Arch Award
On Nov. 19, McDaniel College presented three staff members with the college’s 2024 Arch Award for Exemplary Staff Service.
Award recipients included Blair Cook, campus lock specialist, who has been with the college since 1996; Kendra Heard, associate director/coordinator of special programs for Student Accessibility and Support Services, who has worked at McDaniel since 2014; and Kristin Lister, director of prospect research, who has been with the college since 2002, according to a news release from the college.
Business briefs offer information about Carroll County-based companies, employees and their operations, news of awards, promotions, new business openings, new hires, etc. Send news to [email protected].
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