Manager of Bull’s Head Bookshop retires after 30 years

Bull's Head Book shop is celebrating the retirement of Erica Eisdorfer, who has been manager for 30 years. all items were 30% off and there was free cake from 11:30 onwards. Man in blue shirt signing sheet on table: Kyle McKay, marketing for Bull's Head bookshop Man in yellow shirt introducing the celebration is John Gorsuch, Director of Student Stores Quotes: the following is a quote Erica feels is extremely important for people to know: "Bookstores like the Bull's Head deserve to be protected." Erica on retiring: "Most of the major life events like weddings and graduations you feel excited and maybe nervous. But this is one where you feel excited and thrilled and maybe sad. Bittersweet perfectly sums it up." and "I have long loved this store. A book store is one of the great things people have to offer."

After 30 years of filling the shelves of Bull’s Head Bookshop, Erica Eisdorfer will now have the time to write the books that fill those shelves.

The bookshop held a celebration Wednesday in honor of the retirement of Eisdorfer, who was the store’s manager.

Eisdorfer, a Duke University alumna and professional writer, served chocolate cake to customers at the balloon-decorated store in commemoration of her last day.

The store offered a 30-percent sale for the day, honoring the number of years Eisdorfer has served as manager of the store.

Eisdorfer said she enjoyed her years of work at the campus store.

“I loved it. I had a wonderful tenure,” she said.

“Before working for this store, I was lost and lorn.”

As manager and buyer, Eisdorfer chose and bought the books that customers found on the shelves, ranging from bestsellers to scholarly titles.

The goodbye celebration included a shelf filled with Eisdorfer’s favorite titles — from British classics to Japanese literature.

Looking back on her career, Eisdorfer said she enjoyed being around students more than anything.

“My best memories were with the students and the books themselves,” she said.

“I love being around books and how they are full of ideas and arts,” she said. “How would anybody want more than to browse a bookstore’s shelves?”

Stacea Smith, assistant manager of Bull’s Head, said she has learned a lot from Eisdorfer in 17 years of working with her.

“She was demanding, but wonderful,” Smith said.

She added that she was sad about Eisdorfer’s retirement and that her passion for books would be sorely missed.

She said she was not sure who would replace Eisdorfer as manager.

“We don’t know what will happen next,” she said.

Senior Reed Turchi, a Southern studies major who worked with Eisdorfer for three years, said she had a deep knowledge of books.

“I will miss her, and I will miss her wisdom,” he said. “I’m sad she’s leaving.”

Eisdorfer published her first novel, entitled “The Wet Nurse’s Tale,” in 2009.

Customers and friends of Eisdorfer signed a guest book at the front of the store.

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The pages were filled with notes saying goodbye and thank you to Eisdorfer for her 30 years of work.

Eisdorfer said she was content with her decision and that she wasn’t sure what her future plans are.

“I’m ready for my next adventure.”

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