Kepler's Bookstore needs to reopen in October so it can prepare for the lucrative holiday book-sales season, according to an announcement of creation of a new board and "Patron's Circle" of supporters.

The new board, announced Monday, "will add substantial financial and business expertise to Kepler's while keeping its heart and soul alive," the announcement said.

But the bookstore "still faces hurdles" in its negotiations with its landlord, the Tan Group, which owns the Menlo Center where Kepler's is located, according to Anne Banta, Kepler's new pro bono chief marketing officer.

Owner Clark Kepler, who abruptly shut down the bookstore Aug. 31 due to financial hardships, will be president, CEO and chairman of the new board.

Other members are Daniel Mendez, a Menlo Park resident and co-founder of Visto Corp.; Geoff Ralston, an Atherton resident and chief product officer of Yahoo!; and Bruce Dunlevie, general partner at Menlo Park-based Benchmark Capital who has 15 years experience in high-tech investing.

In addition, 17-member Patron’s Circle has been formed to provide support.

Negotiations between Kepler’s and the Tan Group, will continue this week, Banta said.

A Web site formed after Kepler’s closure, http://www.savekeplers.com , has received more than 20,000 hits. More than 300 people have volunteered to help the store.

“It is incredible to me how many people have expressed that they want Kepler’s to re-open and continue on for decades to come for themselves, their children and their children’s children,” Kepler said.