Bay Area landmark is GONE: "Kepler's Books abruptly shuts its doors"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

I shopped in there once (when it was in the original location, before it moved into larger quarters across the street) and Joan Baez walked in to browse the books. She was very friendly, gracious and smiling as the customers acknowledged her (and were polite enough to NOT harass her).

This place was LEGENDARY.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/12525933.htm

Posted on Wed, Aug. 31, 2005

Kepler's abruptly shuts its doors

MENLO PARK BOOKSELLER NEVER RECOVERED FROM ECONOMIC BUST

By the Mercury News

Kepler's, the Menlo Park independent bookstore that drew loyal readers from around the Bay Area for more than 50 years, abruptly closed Wednesday.

The bookstore was a victim of the economic downturn that began four years ago, according to a sign posted on the door. ``As much as we love what we do and would like to continue another 50 years, we simply cannot,'' the sign read.

By noon today, a steady stream of people had wandered over to the building on El Camino Real to read the sign. The reaction was universal: Shock. ``What? What! My soccer magazines! From England!'' said Karan Das-Grande, 10. ``This is the only place I could get them.''

Rita Allison of Menlo Park, who had been buying books at Keplers for more than 30 years, called the store ```a symbol of the community.'' ``It's a big jolt,'' she said.

[still_one]

1. damn, that is awful

[flamingyouth]

2. That sucks.

Loved that place - haven't been down to the Bay Area for a few years now, but that place was a must on my to-do list. :(

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

4. That's where I bought all of my Richard Brautigan books...

The vibe changed a bit when the store moved across the street, but it was still Kepler's.

The original place was small, cozy...like visiting the home of a friend who has the coolest book collection imaginable.

:toast:

[peacefreak]

3. Lesson:

If you are lucky enough to have an independent bookstore in your area, please SUPPORT them. We are a rare breed. Just about everything you can order on Amazon, we can get, too. Might take a couple of days, but isn't it important to keep business local? (And I bet most of them are blue, too). Love, An Independent Bookseller:loveya:

[faithnotgreed]

5. hey peacefreak - i have a question for you

i have often wondered if there are used bookstore owners on this board

i have some great used books that i would like to sell
not the typical but interesting varied books of travel and alternative medicine and others

in short things that i would buy (ha) and was wondering if its feasible to sell them to a used bookstore that is not local
perhaps shipping costs would be prohibitive or perhaps media mail is an option
i have not done this before on a large scale so could use some advice

i dont have transportation to take them to larger used stores further out (im in dc) and my neighborhood used bookstore says they dont even buy books from individuals

anyway any ideas or suggestions
thanks

[peacefreak]

6. There used to be a used book store owner here.

I'm sorry to say I don't remember his name. If your books are interesting & hard to find, have you thought about doing the ebay thing?
You might make out fairly well there. The used book store I'm familiar with only offers 25% of the cover price. Not much of a re-coop on the value. Anybody else have any suggestions?

[faithnotgreed]

7. thank you

im not looking to "make" money on them but would like them to go to a good home

ive considered ebay and will likely go that route but wasnt sure if people buy boxes of books that way or not since shipping may make it prohibitive
i dont have transportation to take them to the po so i cant send them media mail
it would have to be ups kind of thing

thanks again
ill keep pondering