Oz Fontecchio, the coordinator of the Philadelphia Fantastic Authors and Editors Series, points us to the news that Robin’s Bookstore, “Philadelphia’s Oldest Independent Bookstore”, is closing on 31 January 2009, after 73 years in business.
Owner Larry Robin blames the closure on the economy, writing that “Operating a book store was always a better hobby than a way to make a living, but now it is impossible.” He is offering an increasing sale on remaining calendars and books: 25% this week, with the discount increasing by 5% per week, up to 50% off starting 5 January 2009 and running until the store closes.
Fontecchio is, however, pleased to announce that “the Philadelphia Fantastic Authors and Editors Series will continue as before on the second floor at the same address as what was formerly known as Robin’s Bookstore. The support of Larry Robins for literature and the arts is so well known and so much a part of the fabric of Philadelphia that any words of mine on this score would be merely cumulative. Rather than try to add to what is already well known, I just want to add my heartfelt thanks on behalf of all of the authors and the fans of those authors who make up Philadelphia Fantastic.”
This comment echoes Robin’s note that he is “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.” The new center will be at the same address as the store: 110A South 13th Street. For more details, see this page.
Fontecchio also sent the list of the next six readings in his series:
23 January 2009: Mark Wolverton
27 February 2009: Victoria Jannsen
27 March 2009: Bud Sparhawk
24 April 2009: James Morrow
22 May 2009: Jeffrey Ford
26 June 2009: Lawrence Schoen
The scheduled 5 December event with Kyle Cassidy has been postponed, as “Kyle’s book has been rescheduled by the publisher for publication sometime in early 2009. Once it is out, we will set it up again.”