FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Don Choffel, the owner and co-founder of iconic Fayetteville bookstore the Dickson Street Bookshop, has passed away.
The bookshop posted the news to Facebook on April 10.
"It is with the heaviest hearts that we announce the passing of Don Choffel, owner and co-founder of Dickson Street Bookshop. The impact of his loss is impossible to measure, especially to those of us who were lucky enough to know him well. But also to countless people who never had the good fortune of knowing him," the post said.
The store says Don was a champion of literacy and worked tirelessly to ensure the bookshop's success, adding that "Dickson Street Bookshop is Don's baby."
The post said Don worked at the store for over 45 years, right up until his passing.
"Anyone who knew Don would tell you that he was the kindest, most humble, intelligent, generous, funny, and loving man you could hope to meet," the bookshop said. "His effect on Northwest Arkansas and around the world is simply awe-inspiring."
The bookshop says that there will be a small, private funeral service, and that supporters of Don and the bookshop are encouraged to donate in his name to programs that promote literacy.
"He planned well for this day because he wanted the Bookshop to always be here, serving the local community, and that is exactly what we will do," the bookshop said. "We aren’t going anywhere, and we will continue to uphold and honor his work, values, wishes and the lifeblood he selflessly poured into the bookshop."
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