Staff Blog
Goodbye Robin’s Books
 |
SAD NEWS: Philly's oldest independent bookstore Robin's Bookstore is closing up shop after 60+ years in the business. It was an amazing run, Larry, and we're very sad to hear it.
DEATH
After 73 years Robin's Book Store, Philadelphia's oldest independent book seller, is about to: expire, perish, pass away, be taken, resign our being, end our days, breathe our last, depart this life, be no more, pop off, give up the ghost, pay our debt to nature, shuffle off this mortal coil, go the way of all flesh, hand in our chips, come to dust, cross the Stygian ferry, go to Davy Jones' locker, go out like the snuff of a candle, come to an untimely end, catch our death, go off the hooks, kick the bucket, buy the farm, hop the twig, turn up our toes. Operating a book store was always a better hobby than a way to make a living, but now it is impossible. Blame it on the Economy. Blame it on the Chain Stores. Blame it on the Internet. Blame it on Reading Habits.
In the meantime, on November 24 all new books and calendars in stock will go on sale at 20% off, and the sale discount will increase 5% each week until January 5 when it will reach 50%. The discount will remain at 50% until we close on January 31, 2009 (see below for schedule).
But there is a silver lining....
RESURRECTION
I know a world of words and books still exists, so I am creating a social center for poetry and literature, a center city salon where people can meet, listen to interesting presentations, purchase interesting books, have interesting conversations and generally maintain their cultural health. This will exist on a renovated second floor at 110A S.13th Street. Exactly what it will be is up to you.
I will still supply books for your events, service your meetings and arrange authors for your organizations. You can still get any book published or out of print from us delivered to your home.
Paul Hogan will continue to purchase and trade used books and libraries at 110A S. 13th Street. He can still be reached at 215-567-2615.
I plan on increasing our web presence and continuing to arrange author events at other venues: African-American authors at the African American Museum of Philadelphia; Asian-American authors at the Asian Arts Initiative; authors of books on history at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania; etc. If you have a book club or an organization that is interested in author presentations, please contact me. I have established a Crime Fiction Club with a Sunday brunch at an area restaurant and am working on other "club" type book events. If you have ideas for book and author events, clubs, or other programs you would like to present with us, contact me.
In the meantime enjoy our sale and save on books for the holidays, they make great gifts.
Thanks for keeping us in business for 73 years,
Larry Robin
Closeout Discount Schedule Save For The Holidays
Books and Calendars
20% off starting11-24-08
25% off starting 12-1-08
30% off starting 12-8-08
35% off starting 12-15-08
40% off starting 12-22-08
45% off starting 12-29-08
50% off starting 1-5-09
In stock merchandise on the first floor only - no other discounts apply
For more information: robinsbookstore.com
This is very,very sad news! Even if I didn’t buy any books, I always felt welcomed to browse and hangout. This is a loss to Philadelphia.
This is terrible news! I am *very* sorry to hear about this. Is there anything that the community can do to save Robin’s? This should not be allowed to happen.
[...] going to have to listen. [Inky] >>> Oh, but here comes another bummer: Robin’s Books is closing. Apparently, too many people thought it was a library. [TheClog] >>> And lastly, we leave you with [...]
Heh, it’s the downside of Amazon et al. Larry had a good run, sweet man that he is. His plans for a cultural center assures Phillyphiles that the Robin will continue to chirp his idisyncratic songs. Please ask him if I can place some orders through my son in St. Paul.We love you Larry. You made Philly a less barbarous place. Patrick D. Hazard, Seifengasse 10, D-99423 Germany.
[...] robinsbookstore.comDon’t know what to do tonight? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.The Clog has mourned the death of Robin’s Bookstore — a veritable Philadelphia institution — and encouraged you to celebrate its [...]