Indianapolis Gay Bookstore to Close

Out Word Bound, the only gay and lesbian bookstore in Indianapolis, announced last week that it would close after the Christmas holiday on December 25.

Owners Mary Byrne and Tammara Tracy sent an e-mail to customers on Wednesday breaking the news, according to TheIndianapolis Star.

The store in downtown Indianapolis opened in 1998, but the owners said that the past decade's expansion of big-box stores that cater to the LGBT audience is not to blame for their decision to close the small business.

"Byrne said that Out Word Bound is a viable business and has been paying for itself, but that neither she nor Tracy can devote the time needed to manage it," according to the Star.

Byrne and Tracy, who hold other full-time jobs, tried to sell the bookstore, but without success. A liquidation sale began Saturday, with discounts expected to increase throughout the month of December.