Book Broker Closes Indefinitely

The longtime Evansville bookstore has shut its doors after more than four decades in operation.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Photograph of a dim, shuttered storefront with a pulled-down metal grate and bare brick facade on a quiet street under overcast daylight. — Book Broker, the Evansville bookstore and collectibles shop operating since 1975, has closed indefinitely after legal and financial problems, according to owner Teresa Stillabower. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Book Broker, which has operated in Evansville in one form or another since 1975, is closed indefinitely, according to a post by Teresa Stillabower on the store's Facebook page. The store closed due to legal and financial problems.

Why it matters

The closure removes a long-running local retailer for books, movies, trading cards, comics, and collectibles from the Evansville community. Tom Stillabower, the store's longtime owner, is battling serious health issues, which is part of the broader strain on the business.

The closure announcement drew more than 800 comments on the store's Facebook page, reflecting strong community attachment to the business. Book Broker has been at 2717 Covert Ave. since 1998 and has operated in Evansville since 1975, but no reopening date has been announced.

The players

Book Broker

A longtime Evansville retailer of books, movies, comics, and collectibles that has operated in various forms since 1975.

Tom Stillabower

The longtime owner of Book Broker, who is currently battling serious health issues that prevent him from speaking or holding a pen.

Teresa Stillabower

The family member who posted the store's closure announcement and expressed hope that the shop could one day reopen.

Chuck Redding

The previous owner who operated the store at rotating locations across Evansville before 1998.

The details

Teresa Stillabower announced the closure over the weekend on the store's Facebook page, saying the shop closed due to legal and financial problems. The store, which sells books, movies, trading cards, comics, and collectibles, previously operated as a video rental store and moved through several locations, including Diamond Avenue, U.S. 41 and Virginia Street, and 10 S. Weinbach Ave., before settling on Covert Avenue.

1975: Book Broker first began operating in Evansville.
1998: The store moved to 2717 Covert Ave., where it remained until closing.
Over the weekend before November 2, 2026: Closure announced on Facebook.

Openings & Closings Context

Book Broker's history, which began as a video rental store before becoming a bookseller and collectibles shop, reflects a pattern seen across American cities as independent booksellers and video rental businesses have struggled against larger retailers and digital alternatives. Its indefinite closure adds to that trend in Evansville.

For Evansville shoppers, the closure means no local source for the books, movies, trading cards, comics, and collectibles Book Broker sold. Readers who relied on the store will need to find those items elsewhere unless the shop reopens.

The takeaway

Local independent shops often depend on a small number of people, so a health crisis or financial strain can close a long-standing business quickly. Shoppers who value a neighborhood retailer can support it while it is open.