Kepler's Books
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Kepler's Books is a bookstore in Menlo Park, California. Founded in 1955, it is known as one of Northern California's oldest independent bookstores.
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[edit] History
Kepler's was founded on May 14, 1955 by Roy Kepler.[1] The store "soon blossomed into a cultural epicenter and attracted loyal customers from the students and faculty of Stanford University and from other members of the surrounding communities who were interested in serious books and ideas."[2] the 2008 documentary Paperback Dreams chronicles the related histories of Keplers Books and Cody's Books[3]
The Grateful Dead gave live shows there early in their career. [4]. As noted in a 2005 article, "folk singer Joan Baez, members of the Grateful Dead, and many local leaders remember sharing ideas, political action, music, and danger in the cramped store." [5] Some of its "alumni" founded Printers Inc. Bookstore in nearby Palo Alto in 1978.[6]
In 1980, Roy Kepler’s son Clark took over the management of the bookstore. Since its inception, Kepler's made many changes as it evolved along with the local community, moving three times before locating in a shopping plaza on El Camino Real, in the heart of Menlo Park, in 1989. In 1990 Publishers Weekly named Kepler’s “Bookseller of the Year.” However, by 1996, it was clear that the bookselling business was being completely changed by the emergence of large discount warehouses and Amazon. Due to these changing economic conditions affecting independent bookstores nationwide, as well as some other internal business problems, Kepler's eventually closed its doors on August 31, 2005.[7] The local community held demonstrations to protest the closing.[8] [9] Kepler's subsequently re-opened in October of 2005 with community investments, volunteers and donations.[10].
The Keplers childrens department won the 2008 Pannell Award for excellence in a General Bookstore. [11]
[edit] References
- ^ The culture of Kepler's (May 11, 2005)
- ^ Kepler's turns another page / After 50 years, the epicenter of the Peninsula's counterculture is still shaking things up
- ^ Paperback Dreams
- ^ How the Dead Came to Life : Rolling Stone
- ^ Cover story: Kepler's: more than a bookstore (May 04, 2005)
- ^ Palo Alto Online : How Kepler’s changed the world
- ^ The End (September 02, 2005)
- ^ Saving Kepler's: Investors await response from landlord (September 14, 2005)
- ^ Paly Voice: Rally to save Keplers Bookstore draws hundreds in support
- ^ MENLO PARK / As Kepler's Books reopens, customers queue at registers
- ^ 2008 Pannell Winners Announced - 5/6/2008 6:56:00 AM - Publishers Weekly
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ The culture of Kepler's (May 11, 2005)
- ^ Kepler's turns another page / After 50 years, the epicenter of the Peninsula's counterculture is still shaking things up
- ^ Paperback Dreams
- ^ How the Dead Came to Life : Rolling Stone
- ^ Cover story: Kepler's: more than a bookstore (May 04, 2005)
- ^ Palo Alto Online : How Kepler’s changed the world
- ^ The End (September 02, 2005)
- ^ Saving Kepler's: Investors await response from landlord (September 14, 2005)
- ^ Paly Voice: Rally to save Keplers Bookstore draws hundreds in support
- ^ MENLO PARK / As Kepler's Books reopens, customers queue at registers
- ^ 2008 Pannell Winners Announced - 5/6/2008 6:56:00 AM - Publishers Weekly
