On Sunday, February 27th, from Noon – 6p, Henry Burton invites everyone to stop by Fremont Place Books (a.k.a. Fremont Place Book Company) to celebrate 22-years of books and bookselling, and to say good-bye to it all. Additionally, he hopes book lovers, bargain shoppers, and shopkeepers will come in from February 16th to the 27th to buy up all the inventory, office supplies and furnishings remaining.
Between a precipitous drop in sales, and an increase in debts, Burton has found the bookstore no longer self-sustains. While it may be e-readers, library usage, on-line shopping or a general decrease in interest in the printed word, the basic fact, Burton stated in his general announcement e-mail, is that Fremont Place has not been selling enough books to keep going.
The store began with Pam Helberg 22 years ago, in October 1989. Kim Nicholas bought the store from her, in November 1991, and eventually took on Carol Santoro (Santoro’s Books) as a partner. The store has developed into an important landmark and a community asset, and served as the neighborhood’s only new book store for its entire history. Seven years ago Burton bought the shop, and admitted that he had hoped to continue his predecessor’s legacy until he handed the store to the next enthusiastic owner…
As a local, independent bookstore, Fremont Place has always projected dignity and provided a haven for booklovers of all ages. It’s window displays have educated and well as informed passer-by of new titles – or overlooked ones – for its history. The loss will be hard for Burton, but also for the neighborhood that he has helped stay literary.
“Please stop by and help us celebrate all that is great about books, bookselling, and being part of a community,” Burton invited in his broadcast e-mail on February 14, 2010. Visit the shop, at 621 N 35th Street, behind the Fremont Guidepost, between now and the end of the month to buy books and a piece of history, then stop by between Noon – 6p on Sunday, February 27th to wish a fond farewell to Fremont Place Books, and Burton.
Author’s Note: Correction made to this entry on Feb 28th. Pam Helberg originally opened Fremont Place Book Company, not Polly Buckingham – although she was an employee for a time. Thank you to Kim Nicholas for bringing attention to the error…