LEBANON, N.H. (AP) – A Vermont book lover who hated to see his favorite New Hampshire book store close saved the shop by buying it.

Jeff Cherington of Plymouth, Vt., said that at first he was joking when he said he ought to buy the store to keep it from closing, then thought about it and did just that. He now owns Encore Books in Lebanon.

The used book store has been in business about 15 years.