Occupational Hazards: Franz Bader Bookstore Closes - The Book Maven

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Bethanne Patrick

Occupational Hazards: Franz Bader Bookstore Closes
October 24, 2007

We've all heard too many bookstore-closing stories over the years. I'm at the point of wanting to start a campaign for landlords and property corporations to grant any bookstore fixed, subsidized low rent in perpetuity.

The latest closing here in D.C. illustrates exactly how the loss of a bookstore can also mean loss of community. The Franz Bader Bookstore was founded by Bader, an Austrian Jew who with his wife Antonia fled the Nazis in the late 1930s. He opened his own shop in 1953 and over years and a couple of moves established a place where architects and artists could not only find the specialty books they wanted, but the advice that they needed:

"For patrons such as [long-time customer Kris Norden], this isn't just another mom-and-pop business disappearing. It's the disappearance of a home -- for art lovers, academics, museum directors and, especially, local architects, who decided last week to honor the Yanuls with this year's Glenn Brown Award, which honors those who support architecture. The award is given by the American Institute of Architects and the Washington Architectural Foundation... Architect or not, and whether they have known the store for four decades or just one, some customers have made a habit of turning up on Saturdays for the free-flowing discussions. 'Many people don't go there for the books,' Norden says, recalling times she has often overheard customers engaged in 'deeply intellectual conversation with Dick.' 'I say they run a salon,' she said."

I'm a blogger, and I believe that there are many wonderful things that can happen online, including discussions -- but I don't believe that online life is a worthy full-time substitute for real life -- and that includes Second Life (I love the tongue-in-cheek "Get A First Life" t-shirts). While former Bader customers could certainly sit down at the closest Gotbucks coffee shop and have a discussion, that discussion wouldn't have current store owners Sabine and Richard Yanul, or the lush volumes of art, photography, and essay that lined the walls of their "third place."

The Yanuls are looking forward to retirement, but it hasn't quite sunk in, Sabine says: "When the catalogues come, I say, 'I would like that,' but then I have to say, 'No, I don't have a store anymore.' "

Posted by Bethanne Patrick on October 24, 2007 | Comments (6)

October 24, 2007
In response to: Occupational Hazards: Franz Bader Bookstore Closes
Amy Wachspress commented:

I think I need a Get A First Life T-shirt. I spend too much time in the virtual world. You can visit me there at wozabooks.

October 24, 2007
In response to: Occupational Hazards: Franz Bader Bookstore Closes
Clea Simon commented:

I live in Cambridge, Mass., which used to be bookstore Mecca and is now, well, we have a few good indies that are hanging in. But I agree, when we lose a bookstore, we lose a local business, a salon, and the opportunity for discovery. Online stores that target us by our previous purchases will never be able to duplicate the serendipity of the accidental discovery. And many megastores are too homogenous to allow much to discover. I'm ranting again, but this is a topic close to my heart. Thanks for writing about it. - Clea www.cleasimon.com

October 24, 2007
In response to: Occupational Hazards: Franz Bader Bookstore Closes
GM commented:

Is this store closing because the rent is being raised? Ownership of the property is critical - problem solved -

October 24, 2007
In response to: Occupational Hazards: Franz Bader Bookstore Closes
bookstore manager commented:

The quote that said "Many people don't go there for the books..." disturbed me the most. Running a literary salon, while culturally important, rarely makes a profit. The very best way to make sure your neighborhood bookstore stays a long time is to purchase your books from them. And not just some of your books...ALL of them. The majority of my MOST "loyal" customers only purchase about 70% of their books from me. The cultural importance of your local bookstore comes with a price. If you value it, show it by making it the only place you buy your books.

October 24, 2007
In response to: Occupational Hazards: Franz Bader Bookstore Closes
Rick Speck commented:

Bookstores in general can't be simply selling books; sales and margins aren't keeping them profitable. Promoting the salon and gathering format allows time for the impulse buy, which is happening at Walmart and Target currently. The publishing industry hasn't been reliable in their commitment to quality, and rely on brand (author) recognition and thematic relationships to drive slowing sales. Let's face it: we first tried the big name stores because they gave us huge, comfy chairs to sit and read the books we were buying.

October 29, 2007
In response to: Occupational Hazards: Franz Bader Bookstore Closes
bookstore manager commented:

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for creating a literary salon environment. Our stores hosted over 350 different types of events, some with authors, some not, to drive people into the stores and create that type of experience and environment. We are well aware that this is no longer your father's bookstore. However, when the customers come into the store for the event carrying the book in a B&N or Borders bag, it tells me that we are not educating our customers about how important it is to SHOP with us also. We can't simply be selling books, yes, but we also simply can't be putting on all these events without people supporting us through their purchases.