Haslam's Book Store

Shelving at Haslam's

Haslam's Book Store is a historic new and used independent bookstore in St. Petersburg, Florida.[1][2][3] It is located in the Grand Central District and is the largest independent bookstore in Florida with over 30,000 square feet. Haslam's was started in 1933 by John and Mary Haslam.[4] Their son Charles and his wife, Elizabeth, joined them in running the business after World War II.[5] The store was originally a magazine exchange. Writer Jack Kerouac was a frequent visitor.[6] There have been many claims of Kerouac's ghost frequenting the store. [7]

HuffPost put Haslam's as number forty-one on their list of top fifty bookstores in America. [8]

As per their website[9] they closed 'in the interest of public safety' on March 22, 2020, and have not reopened since.

References

  1. ^ Ghosts, Books, and Coincidences By Gina Clifford10.24.11 Wired.com
  2. ^ "Haslam's Bookstore survives..." Archived from the original on 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  3. ^ "Haslam's Book Store - St Petersburg, USA Shopping". Lonely Planet. May 4, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  4. ^ About Haslam's website
  5. ^ Haslam's Book Store flyer
  6. ^ Dawson, Anastasia (8 December 2013). "Haslam's Book Store in St. Pete celebrates 80 years". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  7. ^ Wired.com
  8. ^ Top Fifty Bookstores In America
  9. ^ website
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Haslam's Book Store.

27°46′17″N 82°39′39″W / 27.771341°N 82.660817°W / 27.771341; -82.660817