The Big Bookstore is closing

[dtowncitylover]

I have actually never gone there and always wanted to. Perhaps now I need to make the trek. I never went because my used bookstore needs were met by other stores.

http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/arch...lose-this-year

I would love to hear people's stories with Metro Detroit's used bookstores. I've never heard of the bookstore's in the closing announcement. Where were they? When did they go?

"My" bookstore was Royal Oak Books, on Woodward just south of 12 Mile. Now filled in with a gaudy law office. I now go to Library in Ferndale and sometimes over to JK both downtown and Ferndale.

[preserve]

I wonder if they sold all those old National Lampoon magazines I donated - back from the early 70's

[EastsideAl]

Wow, what sad news. I remember going to that place and leafing through the old paperbacks and magazines [[some of which may not have been *ahem* age approriate) back when I was in high school. I'd hang out there until some old hippie would yell at me.

That store was in existence so long that it was around back when my parents were going to Wayne and lived in the neighborhood. The former owner, Norm Wexler, was an acquaintance of my folks and a rather strange and colorful old bird. Amazing to me that there is no longer enough market for such a store in the shadow of WSU. Back when I would go in there part of my interest in the place was hanging out where 'sophisticated' college students and faculty perused and discussed books.

[Hermod]

EBay. The bookstores didn't exist on the nickel and dime sales, they existed on the occasional sale of high end and collectible books. The high end stuff is now being sold on line.

[ABetterDetroit]

Sorry to hear. My all time favorite brick and mortar business in the world is John K. King Used and Rare Books on Lafayette so I will shamelessly plug the store, staff and John for having the mother load of previously owned printed material and excellent service. My need to be read pile is never without something from them.

[bust]

I'm relieved to discover the "Big Book Store" is in fact not their giant one on Lafayette, which it seems will remain open. I've only been to the "Big" store a couple times, and didn't remember that was its name, but I've bought countless books from their main location. I tell everyone visiting Detroit it's a great place to check out. I hope they're doing well!

[G-DDT]

I wonder if they sold all those old National Lampoon magazines I donated - back from the early 70's

I bought many of them [[still looking for more).

I'm really hurt by this news. This and Rodegher's.

I bought the coverless book there that helped me beat asthma https://www.amazon.com/Become-Former.../dp/0688012205and learn about deep-breathing from a bargain rack situated out front back in 95'. I bought a bunch of crazy indie comics and Forteana there, as well.

I enjoyed talking to Bill [[was it?) who is there. What will happen to him?

It started with malls getting rid of their bookstores, then Border's closes when I'm out in Boston [[yet, the empty one on Ford still keeps it's sign lit). Yeah, I remember Royal Oak books, as well [[bought a book about Saturday Night Live https://www.amazon.com/Saturday-Nigh...day+night+livethere and Nader's "Unsafe at Any Speed" for $10-which is oddly readily available in every other state but this one.). I think it's the one that had high shelves and a big orange cat trotting around in there.

This is happening everywhere: http://host.madison.com/wsj/business...6876165ff.htmlin Madison might find good owners. Yet, looking back on Boston, I found these awesome places close: this crazy one in Inman Square http://www.cambridgeday.com/2014/10/...model-for-now/that had awesome art and helped put out zines [[I think two of the guys there were from Lansing; also, one Brandeis student "activist" with Food-Not-Bombs was involved with "High Five"-which I wish Detroit would have a version of so-later freaked me out to find she was studying ways at M.I.T. to affect the brain through distant external means.). Also, this clutter den of books and records [[complete with lazy orange cat) in Brighton http://archive.boston.com/yourtown/n..._diskover.htmlwith an awesome woman playing Nina Simone records; got an awesome book about Gandhi by Merton. Also, this amazing music store http://www.vanyaland.com/2015/05/21/...ds-has-closed/in Cambridge [[gal didn't mind special ordering stuff I like).

I liked that location on Cass. They had old back magazines [[including Orbit) and comics and lots of science fiction paperbacks. Where can I go for that anymore but online?

Blame it on online sales, but folks are reading less. It's a combined illiteracy that's building to about 451 degrees. I actually find myself going up to folks reading in public and thanking them for reading an actual book; I did this to an old man seated at the Subways in a Wal-Mart's of all places, and he looked up with a wry smile.

[Zacha341]

^^^ Cool comments GDDT! I did not know Sorvino was a writer. Sounds like a cool book. And yes people are reading less, no doubt about it.

Here's the link for the Rodeghers store also closing:

http://www.rodeghersusedbooks.com/

[G-DDT]

I recall a documentary I saw on Star Trek that had Roddenberry say the reason he liked to slip scenes of Capt. Kirk [[or Picard) with reading glasses on enjoying a book is because he wants folks to be reassured that books will still have a relevant place in the future.