Fact so sad I don't want to talk about it: Bailey/Coy Books' final day of business will by this Friday, November 20.

Silver lining I'll happily hype: Bailey/Coy's last hurrah will be a blowout party/auction/show, going down in the store's former space on Thursday December 3.

For 26 years, Bailey/Coy Books served as Capitol Hill's literary hub, providing the community with a place to be amongst books, talk about literature and meet their favorite authors.

On Thursday, December 3, we're holding a wake for the store, in memory of all those years, and celebrating the customers who've walked through the doors, the authors we've hosted, the generations of books we've sold and the staff who have served us so well. We'll also hold an auction of the memorabilia we've collected over the years. We want to say good-bye in style - and raise some cash to help the store.

Auctioneer Laura Michalek will oversee bidding on a pair of white boxer shorts signed by David Sedaris, original cartoons out of our guestbook by Matt Groening and Lynda Barry, a poster signed by Annie Leibovitz, an original painting from the Big Fucking Hands series by Ellen Forney, signed first editions and other very special and very odd items. We'll also auction off dates with two of Capitol Hill's celebrity politicians, State Senator Ed Murray and City Councilmember Sally Clark.

Entertainment will be provided by Fuschia Foxxx and the magnificent Dina Martina. Food and champagne will be served, all provided by local Capitol Hill eateries such as Poppy, Table 219, Charlie's and High Five Pie. Tickets are $40. We will pop the champagne open at 6 PM—the entertainment, and the auction, will begin promptly at 7. Tickets are available at BrownPaperTickets.com or at the door.