book store blues

[d_trektone_w]

In the last week or so, two stores where I've shopped for years are going through closure/changes. Makes me sad, but that's business. Sigh ...

A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books in San Francisco.

Cody's Books, the original store on Telegraph in Berkeley.


Both had wonderful author events. ACWLPB memories include: local boy who made good, B.D. (Brad) Wong, at his memoir-signing; David Foster Wallace; William Gibson; my third cousin (or something like that) Julie Otsuka; and the kid-book event for They Might Be Giants. Cody's: Colson Whitehead; Dan Simmons; Neil Gaiman; Margaret Cho.

Comments

Aaaaaaaaack!

[obadiah.livejournal.com]

I had not yet heard about either one. This is nearly as bad as when Kepler's closed, maybe worse in the Cody's case (though their other locations will remain). Fortunately, Keplers came back due to community support, so maybe Cody's will change its mind.

Re: Aaaaaaaaack!

[trektone.livejournal.com]

Other Change of Hobbit had a near-closure, too, but they're still around.

[dakron.livejournal.com]

When I lived in Berkeley, I'd go to Cody's just to hang out.
I went to a few signings there as well.
It's a shame they are going away.

[trektone.livejournal.com]

At least the other two Cody's (downtown SF and 4th St. Berkeley) will be around for now.

[pezazul.livejournal.com]

So sad. I'm not even a local and I've been to ACWLPB several times. I think I went there on my very first trip to the bay area. Cool place.

[trektone.livejournal.com]

Are there many independent bookstores in St. Louis? Are they holding their own against the Internet stores and big chains?

[pezazul.livejournal.com]

There are a few little shops here and there and one fairly large one close to where I live. I think it is holding its own so far. It's in the city and is mostly frequented by city dwellers, but I think it gives them enough business.

They have lots of book clubs and lots of author events. They are GLBT owned so have a pretty large section geared toward that and whenever Sedaris or Burroughs come to town, they do their signings/readings there.

We used to have a HUGE independent book store that was one of the best I'd ever seen. They sold out to Borders though, of their own volition. The way I understood it, the owners were just looking for a break from it all, so sold. However, even when it became Borders, they kept most of the same employees, and didn't remodel. They still stocked the same types of things and had employee recommendations, so it still kept that independent feel. Then they closed that Borders location altogether and built a brand new one nearby and it was never the same.

[trektone.livejournal.com]

It's good some stores are hanging in there. As you probably noticed, I love author events. Haven't been interested in book/reading clubs, though. What is the name of the GLBT-owned store?

[pezazul.livejournal.com]

Left Bank Books

[rabbijeffty.livejournal.com]

I read the Cody's article this morning with sadness. I had missed the news about ACWLPFB, but it was mentioned in the Cody's article. For me, the closing of the Cupertino location was sadder, since it was one of my favorite bookstores growing up. I only went to the SF location a few times, but the loss of any independent bookstore is certainly unfortunate.

[trektone.livejournal.com]

The saddest part about ACWLPB, to me, was that they'd already sold off the online "name." The owner was really smart to snag "bookstore.com" in the early days of the Internet, but I guess he had to do something for $$ once he decided to close the store.

[oreouk.livejournal.com]

A Clean Well-Lighted Place is closing down too? Well... frod! I've spent many the hour there poking through their shelves and conning my Dad into buying me piles of books.

[trektone.livejournal.com]

Yay for your Dad for getting you all those books. Never too many!

[braider.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday. Isn't it nice that you have a lot of friends willing to tattle on you regarding the day?

[trektone.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Friends remember so I don't have to announce it. :)

[unclechristo.livejournal.com]

happy birthday!!!!
have a groovy one!!
or two!
Christo

[trektone.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I will try to celebrate at least a few times!