Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Books / Retail Bummer of the Day
Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Epilogue Books in Ballard is closing. The store's owner, Nathan Heath, couldn't reach an agreement with his landlord and could not find a new space in Ballard to house the bookstore. Epilogue will be closing in August.
From the website:
Beginning July 5th all items in the store (both new and used) will be marked down 20% - 70%. We will be closed July 1st-4th to prepare for the sale. We will re-open Sunday, July 5th at 11:00am and will continue with our normal business hours from that date on. Our final day open for business will be in mid-August.
Trade credit must be used by the end of July as it will all expire at that time. All terms and conditions of the trade agreement are still in place. Trade credit does not apply to sale price items, trade credit may not be used towards new books, trade credit cannot be "cashed" out.
It's a real shame; I always found something interesting when I shopped at Epilogue. Seattle is starting to starve for bookstores of Epilogue's size—70,000 books, according to Heath—which, I think, is the perfect size for a neighborhood bookstore. It's big enough that you can visit every week and find something new.
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1
We recently had Mad Pizza, Ian's, and another store close in Fremont too.
But a bookstore is sad.
Maybe a new eBook shop can open there to sell eBooks to all the billionaires ... oh wait they don't live there.
Oops.
But a bookstore is sad.
Maybe a new eBook shop can open there to sell eBooks to all the billionaires ... oh wait they don't live there.
Oops.
3
This is what a recession looks like.
Scratching one's head and wondering how this sort of thing can happen does not accomplish as much as buying books and eating pizza.
Scratching one's head and wondering how this sort of thing can happen does not accomplish as much as buying books and eating pizza.
4
@3,
If anything this goes against what should be happening in a recession. Does the landlord seriously think that businesses are clamoring for commercial space right now? What a fucking maroon.
If anything this goes against what should be happening in a recession. Does the landlord seriously think that businesses are clamoring for commercial space right now? What a fucking maroon.
5
@4 - landlords are people too. Eventually they come to terms with the fact their over-inflated rents are not supportable and lower them.
We call that "capitulation". It's what the markets did earlier this year. It's happening in the real estate market now and should trickle to retail commercial rental by the fall.
We call that "capitulation". It's what the markets did earlier this year. It's happening in the real estate market now and should trickle to retail commercial rental by the fall.
7
@4: Yes, I'm sure you know more about the demand for retail space in that neighborhood than someone who, you know, actually owns commercial real estate.
8
@4 Without knowing the details its impossible to know. Was Epilogue asking for a huge rent cut? Did they want to start running a book themed night club after hours? It sounds like the landlord would not agree to their terms, not that the landlord was not willing to rent to them.
9
Ballard is pretty much closing up shop all over.
This sucks; Epilogue was a decent store. I wonder how long Abraxas, in the old Ballard library, can hold out.
The real treasures are across the street from Epilogue, in John Lang's shop, but he's not really dependent on walk-in sales. He's always surprised when I actually come in. Usually the lights aren't even on in most of the store.
This sucks; Epilogue was a decent store. I wonder how long Abraxas, in the old Ballard library, can hold out.
The real treasures are across the street from Epilogue, in John Lang's shop, but he's not really dependent on walk-in sales. He's always surprised when I actually come in. Usually the lights aren't even on in most of the store.
10
@6,
They're closing because they can't find retail space, not because there's not enough demand for books. How is that due to the recession?
They're closing because they can't find retail space, not because there's not enough demand for books. How is that due to the recession?
14
@13, WHAT? Crap, I was just there last month. Bought an armload, too. That sucks double, because it's a bookstore, AND it's the old Ballard library, one of the nicest buildings in the city (especially compared to the soulless furniture-store new one).
15
So who is the landlord? I think the name and phone/email should be put in the window of epilogue. I'd like to tell that person a thing or two!
16
@7
From what I heard it's because the landlords in the area are splitting their retail spaces in half so they can have two tenants and charge more for rent. So they can't find a big enough space AND the landlords are being assholes.
From what I heard it's because the landlords in the area are splitting their retail spaces in half so they can have two tenants and charge more for rent. So they can't find a big enough space AND the landlords are being assholes.
17
@15 Chill.
This bookstore isn't being PERSECUTED.
Your outrage is a little... confusing.
What part of paying one's rent on time is not clear here?
I mean, hey, it sucks to see a bookstore close... I agree.
If you care so deeply, just go to their closing sale, say kind words, and pick up a few bargains.
This bookstore isn't being PERSECUTED.
Your outrage is a little... confusing.
What part of paying one's rent on time is not clear here?
I mean, hey, it sucks to see a bookstore close... I agree.
If you care so deeply, just go to their closing sale, say kind words, and pick up a few bargains.
18
@16, Epilogue already expanded into the neighboring space, and then contracted back out of it, once before.
So does that mean there are no general interest bookstores in NW?
Abraxas appears to have moved to Lower Queen Anne, not shut up shop entirely.
So does that mean there are no general interest bookstores in NW?
Abraxas appears to have moved to Lower Queen Anne, not shut up shop entirely.
19
Ballard now only has the Secret Garden Bookshop (which has no used books) and some small obscure book stores. I'm going to really miss Epilogue. It was one of the few stores I could find used books I actually wanted every time I went.
20
No! Dammit! I really liked that store! I spent money in it every time I went anywhere near Ballard, which clearly was not often enough. That completely sucks.
Fuck. Now I'm pissed.
Fuck. Now I'm pissed.
21
Hope the landlord is looking forward to that "Space For Lease" sign staying up until he/she "capitulates." It's the latest retail craze.
22
I bought used books at Epilogue fairly frequently (again, I guess not frequently enough) and will miss it. However, my question: What the heck is up with your photo? Those aren't what the marquees on the store look like. Is that back from when it first opened or something?
23
Oh, I see, it's the picture from their web site. Weird. myballard.com has a picture of what it actually looks like.
24
#18
We're still over here at Ravenna
Third Place. I realize it's a ways from Ballard, but Seattle could maybe use a bit more cross-city neighborliness.
We're still over here at Ravenna
Third Place. I realize it's a ways from Ballard, but Seattle could maybe use a bit more cross-city neighborliness.
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