Collected Works Bookstore, Santa Fe's oldest independent bookshop, is moving to the much larger space that houses Foreign Traders, which is closing after a run of more than 80 years in downtown Santa Fe.

The move by Collected Works from the West San Francisco Street spot it has occupied for more than three decades will more than double its size at a time when bookstores nationwide are reporting flat sales.

The move "will allow us to expand several of our more popular sections as well as add new items, without sacrificing space for anything else," said Dorothy Massey, who owns Collected Works along with daughter Mary Massey Wolf.

Collected Works plans to open a cafe and reading area with magazines, newspapers and Internet access in its new space.

"It's a big move, especially in this economic climate," Massey said in an e-mail Wednesday, "but we believe in downtown Santa Fe, we believe in our customers, and we believe in Collected Works' mission to bring the city together in a bookstore that offers something for everyone."

Alex Tschursin, owner of Foreign Traders, which opened its doors as the Old Mexico Shop more than eight decades ago, said he is closing the home furnishing business on Galisteo at Water streets but will maintain a warehouse on Cooks Road, where he will do consulting and sourcing for longtime customers.

Tschursin owns the 4,000-square-foot space that Collected Works will lease.

"We're very excited about the prospect of Collected Works expanding and operating in my space," he said. "The response has been very, very positive. The store is a great addition to the block."

Mary Massey Wolf said Collected Works is able to expand because Santa Fe "has a very supportive community of readers and writers, even with the influx of Borders and Amazon.com."

She also said, "There's something about personal attention and knowing the bookseller and our great employees who are writers and readers themselves ... that has definitely helped us. And there's also the idea of having a community space in a bookstore where people like to hang out."

Wolf said Collected Works has also benefited from the recent extension of Rail Runner commuter train service, which brings hundreds of people weekly from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, many of whom patronize downtown-area stores and restaurants.

The bookstore's move begins May 1 and is expected to be completed by June 1. The business will remain open during that time, although there might be a 48-hour closure to complete the relocation, Mary Massey Wolf said.

Collected Works opened in 1978 and has been at 208 W. San Francisco St. since that time.

According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, bookstore sales nationwide were up $1 million in January 2009 over the same month of 2008. Bookstores fared better than the retail sector as a whole, which had an 8.3 percent drop in January sales compared with the previous January, the Census Bureau reported.

Tschursin said tough economic conditions are one reason for closing his business, combined with the fact that he has been running Foreign Traders for almost 30 years and has other business and personal interests he wants to pursue.

"I have a 14-year-old son I want to spend more time with," he said. "And I have eight motorcycles I want to ride."

Foreign Traders will begin its liquidation sales next week, Tschursin said.

Tschursin recalled that his grandfather, Tony Taylor, grew up in East Texas and attended the Boys Ranch School in Los Alamos before moving to Santa Fe in 1925 and opening the Old Mexico Shop in 1927 on Water Street.

Taylor was the brother of the late Ladybird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson.

After college, Tschursin moved to Santa Fe to work in the store, which legally had the name Foreign Traders but was locally known as the Old Mexico Shop.

"I grew up in the store," Tschursin said. "I helped him (Taylor) wrapping and packing and delivering. He made most of his money selling Mexican huaraches (sandals) and red chile ristras."

Tschursin bought the business from his grandfather in 1985 and expanded it by concentrating on furniture — some of it imported and some made in the U.S. — and other furnishings.

"One of our early accounts was the Banana Republic clothing stores," he said. "We did their shelving and showcases around the country. "We helped with the decor of the Eldorado Hotel and did a lot of Santa Fe-style homes."

Tschursin said he felt "a certain amount of sadness" about closing Foreign Traders. "But we're fortunate to have a tenant such as Collected Works rather than just another clothing or jewelry store. I think it will go very well."

Contact Bob Quick at 986-3011 or bobquick@sfnewmexican.com