Voices and Visions Closing
I received word via Bob Small of Poets and Prophets that Angie will be closing the Voices and Visions Bookstore in early June. Philadelphia will be losing a fine independent book store and the arts community a beautiful venue. Bob said it best in his email : “…Anyway, try and get there and buy some books before they close and thank Angie for fighting the good fight.”
I have had the pleasure to read some of my work at Voices and Visions. To say the least this closing is a major loss to the literary community in Philadelphia. We like to write about corporate control of publishing and the arts yet we continue to see these fine stores close due to a lack of support. Dust off your wallets and stop by V&V at 4th and Market in the Bourse Building, buy a few books and thank Angie.
3 Comments
I’m a little ashamed to say that I never made it over there. I’m going to try to stop by before they close up shop completely — I know it was a really good, supportive spot for poets. Do you know when the doors will close officially?
I am not sure Autumn, but soon.
Oh, that is such a pity! Though I can’t say I’m entirely surprised; it is a very tough world for independent booksellers out there right now. Not only is readership of hard copy in decline, but the web is eating a big chunk of that dwindling pie. I am not demonizing the likes of Amazon; I am one of the biggest customers. They certainly offer a very convenient service (especially when it comes to non-mainstream titles) at a great price. Still, they obviously cannot offer the community services of local bookstores such as V&V, Robin’s or Big Blue Marble. But I really wonder how these booksellers can survive… This topic is probably worth a post in itself.
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