Tag: Book Shops

The Most Magnificent Book Store in the World

The glorious interior of El Ateneo book store in Buenos Aires.In 1919, Max Glucksman, a recent immigrant to Buenos Aires, Argentina, had a vision to build the grandest, most splendid theater in all of South America. He succeeded. There, Argentinians could enjoy performances across the full spectrum of the arts, and see and hear local favorites. The legendary composer, singer and instrumentalist Carlos Gardel, the King of Tango, was a frequent artist in residence.In 1924, Glucksman began to broadcast Radio Splendid from the building’s fourth floor. In 1929, he converted the venue into a movie palace, and premiered the first...

Continue Reading →

The Ballad of No Book Stores on the Streets of Laredo

Moonrise over Laredo, Texas as the sun sets over its book trade.Recent events in Laredo, Texas have compelled Tex Rex, King of the Singing Cowboys, to step out of retirement from his home on the range and croon the ballad of sad book-café about a big American city now scandalously - incredibly - without a single book shop; unbelievable but true.As I walked out on the streets of LaredoAs I walked out on Laredo one dayI spied an old book shop all shuttered and closed downShuttered and closed down all night and all day.I see by this closing that books...

Continue Reading →

Used and Rare Book Shop Anchors Downtown Trenton Revival

Eric Maywar of Classic Book Shop in downtown Trenton, NJ.Reversing the trend of book shop closings in general and in downtown urban districts in particular that Book Patrol has been following, the Classic Book Shop, on Warren Street in downtown Trenton, NJ, is playing an important role in the area’s renaissance.Classic owner, Eric Maywar, who owned another book shop in a nearby town, was approached by the Trenton Downtown Association with the idea.It was something of a leap of faith to make the move. When he arrived four years ago there were still buildings across the street that were not...

Continue Reading →

Bibliobiffy: Books in the Outhouse

The Bibliobarn is located in South Kortright, a town nestled in the Castkill Mountains of upstate New York. The shop is housed in a restored horse-and-carriage barn and out back in a converted outhouse is the shop's bargain book section. Mark M. Rodgers, the man who built the structure, calls it a "bibliobiffy."Amazingly enough, this isn't the first poop palace that has been transformed into a book depository.Remember the Happy Tales Bookshop in Wisconsin? You know, the one were they converted an old manure storage tank into a retail space! If not, here's one from the archives, our post from...

Continue Reading →