It was different from all the other stores in the Bookstop chain. The people who worked there had a certain attitude–not quite as “customer-friendly” as the one trained into Bookstop employees in different stores. The attitude came with the neighborhood. Their customers seemed to expect and even like the rudeness, much as tourists crave the same from NYC cab drivers or the French. Such attitude gives us stories that usually end with a shake of the head and a slow smile of acceptance that we’ve joined a community of the skillfully insulted.
When Barnes & Noble bought the chain, only the Alabama Theater Bookstop got to keep its name, as if to reassure customers that nothing important to them would change–and the exterior, with its blazing marquee and art deco facade, rated high on the list of importance.
Over time, Bookstop’s next-door-neighbor, Cactus Records, disappeared, but Whole Earth Provision Company expanded to fill the empty space. Another neighbor, Whole Foods, moved to a new location across from the Borders down the street, but was replaced by a Petsmart. The copy place turned into a restaurant, then a different restaurant, but Bookstop stayed, lighting up the night, luring customers with the promise of multi-levels of book browsing, a magazine off the stand in the mezzanine, a cup of coffee or tea from the barista in the balcony, an impromptu conversation with a fellow shopper, and beautifully preserved walls and ceiling.
Now B&N has been lured to a tonier address in a new development a few blocks away–across from the River Oaks Theater, also a beloved landmark. No one knows what will become of the Alabama Theater Bookstop, but we all know this is a city that loves to level and rebuild. So we wait and see what an improving economy will bring and hope developers are listening–the chatter seems to have made them back off a plan to tear down the River Oaks theater, at least for now.
On the night when I took these photos, the doors of the Alabama Theater Bookstop closed for the last time not just on a store, but on a piece of my history. It was here I met a person who would reshape my personal and political landscape in ways I never imagined. I miss him.
It was my favorite Houston bookstore even though I live behind a pretty good B&N. Bookstop has (or had) a bigger LGBT section and a bigger travel section. Their selection of photography and art monographs was better too.
I would have hated to work at Bookstop, lugging books up and down narrow stairs unless that elevator stopped on every level, but I bet it didn’t.
Thanks for the photos. 🙂
Lovingly photographed… sadness there. I hope they don’t tear it down.
That’s so sad. They closed the Bbookstop stores around my part of the world several years back, but they were not as beautiful as that is.
This is sad to read. I only hope the developers keep listening to the “chatter” and decide to leave this beautiful building standing. Pulling down this gorgeous old theatre to erect some modern monstrosity would be an absolute sacrilege.
That’s a cool building. Hopefully, it’ll find a life as something else and not get torn down.
What beautiful photos, Becky. I remember the Bookstop on West End in Nashville. It closed before i moved to Lexington in 2001. It had a similar facade, but not as big. I really hope they don’t tear it down on y’all.
There’s nothing more depressing than seeing a favorite bookstore
close, because you know that 9 x out of 10 nothing will replace it.
And I mean that in multiple ways.
B&N opened a bookstore about 20 years ago in an old movie theater
in Cleveland, the Mayland (I saw many flicks in that theater!)
and restored it as much as they could, with a nice marquee (although
not as beautiful as the one you show here), and murals of old stars
and films on the walls. About 5 years ago they closed the store and
moved to a mall. The place was gutted and it’s now a discount shoe
store. Every time I drive past it, I’m doubly depressed!
Love the pics. Sorry to hear about the bookstore.
It would be sacrilegious to tear that magnificent building down, but then when did developers ever have any respect for art, history or memories? All they do is throw up build and centers that will never be lost or missed in 15 to 20 years when the headache ball brings them down.
What a gorgeous building, and very sad to see another bookstore replaced by something bigger and shinier. Sounds like something so historic will find a way to be preserved, though.
How I mourn the passing of those art deco type cinemas. It only goes to emphasise how soul-less the modern cineplexes are in the scheme of things.
There were two here when I was growing up, but no one ever thought of such a splendid use as a book shop – now they’ve been torn down and form part of a shopping centre . . .
I’m sorry one of your favourite places will probably meet the same fate.
I will miss this place. I bought my first banned book from the Bookstop so long ago.
Hopefully it will remain a unique place for a future business, instead of the horror that the Tower Theater became.
This makes me sad, as sad as when I I passed the now closed A Different Light Bookstore in West Hollywood. Such a loss.
Can buildings in the States be listed as they are in the UK (I don’t suppose the terminology is the same, but I’ve attached a link to explain)?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building