cigalechanta

I read of this a few weeks ago but Adrian Leeds in her newsletter confirmed it today. Both were fun places to be when a writer you like made an appearance.
"1. Penelope Fletcher, owner of The Red Wheelbarrow, has put her shop up for sale "fonds de commerce (the location, the lease, the goodwill, the clientele and the name, but excluding debts). Inventory available on consignment or at one-third value. Inquiries can be made to Penelope Fletcher, The Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore, 22 rue Saint Paul, 75004 Paris, +33 (0)1.48.04.75.08.

2. The Village Voice Bookstore will close its doors on July 31, 2012. Odile Hellier, owner, wrote: "With our warmest thanks for having contributed to the cultural life of The Village Voice Bookshop and to its success." No, Odile, we thank YOU, for bringing us so much joy for so many years. The Village Voice and you will be sadly missed."
This is sad news, They were like landmarks.

MaineGG

Did not know the Village Voice, but I'm so sad to hear about The Red Wheelbarrow.

Cathinjoetown

Am sorry to hear about Village Voice, I just "discovered" it 3 years ago. I love bookstores with well-informed and helpful staff where you can tell thought has been put into the selection. Another one bites the dust.

yestravel

Loved the Red wheelbarrow. So sorry to hear about these closings. Independent book stores have such a tough go of it these days.

Christina

They didn't sell French books, did they, they were mainly for expats who didn't want to learn French, or tourists.

Cathinjoetown

Christina,

I find your comment insular and insulting. Every time I was in Village Voice, there were French customers and the manager was often taking orders in French over the phone. Do you actually think no native French-speakers read and enjoy English books?

I have lived in France for three years. Daily I read Le Figaro and La Depêche and usually have one French and several English books on the go as well as magazines, DVDs, etc. I take 5 hours of French a week. I will always be an ex-pat and will always frequent indie bookstores in any location.

I am very sorry about this closure and I expect many French people are as well.

kerouac

Actually, I am considerably more distressed about the possible eviction of the Céline Poisat bookstore on rue du Cherche-Midi to give way to another trendy clothing boutique.

And the very famous Saint Germain-des-Prés bookstore La Hune is also in danger of eviction to please fashion shoppers of the area.

But all of the historical independent bookstores of Paris are disappearing, because peoples' interests have shifted to other things, and there is no way to save such places without spending your money to buy books there -- which people do not want to do.

So, goodbye to all of these places, which we will remember fondly, but that is all we will do.

yestravel

Independent bookstores r struggling in the US due to the internet and then electronic books. In DC one independent bookstore after another has closed.

cigalechanta

keruac, sorry to hear La Hune maybe gone. As much as I love the internet, though inept at it, They have caused the book stores and other businesses to go under. I miss going to some of the old musty book shops,finding a surprise gem, and I still love the feel of a book in my hand.

toupary6

Wow, the things one learns on Fodor's!

kerouac, Céline and her shop were downstairs in my building in Paris. I had no idea she was closing. When is this happening?

Someone should tell the trendy clothing boutique about the plumbing leaks in that space.

Now, don't tell me the tea room is being evicted, too!

Carlux

Interesting. I as watching Telematin on France 2 one morning, and they have a regular feature where a bookshop owner recommends books. After which the host, William Leymergie, mentioned that it would be nice not only if people bought the book, but bought it at a bookshop rather than online. Probably a lost cause here as in North America. (Ex-librarian, now mjor Amazon user speaking)

latedaytraveler

Just wondering… how is SHAKESPEARE AND COMPANY faring? Has its business increased since the release of MIDNIGHT IN PARIS?

I intend to drop by when in Paris next week, in homage to Hemingway, of course.

Cathinjoetown

I was walking in the area of Shakespeare and Co about three weeks ago, stopped in to see if they had G. Robb's book, "Discovery of France" for a friend. They had it in their section on books about Paris and France, which always seems to have lots of choice.

Seemed like a good mix of buyers and tourists, some people taking in the sun in the little courtyard.

kerouac

Toupary, it is not yet a done deal, since there is a petition to try to save the place. But it is looking grim.

Nikki

In my recent trip report I remember commenting that the Latin Quarter would be the last place on earth to still have bookstores when they became obsolete on the rest of the planet. I hope Paris keeps its bookstores, at least some of them, at least more than the increasingly desolate literary landscapes of the places I frequent in the US.

But I am at least as guilty as anyone of ordering (in great quantity) from Amazon.

latedaytraveler

Cathinjoetown, thanks for the update on SHAKESPEARE AND COMPANY. I am thinking of drifting in their direction on my first evening from my hotel on the rue Dauphine. The air will do me good and I believe that they are open until midnight, n’est ce pas?

“But I am at least as guilty as anyone of ordering (in great quantity) from Amazon.”

Nikki, I hear you. I usually order books from Amazon only for gifts, especially for my grandchildren.

I read a great deal so could not afford to buy or store that many books. I use our local library for the latest books, CDs, and DVDs. They are most accommodating.

toupary6

@Nikki, a search of Pages Jaunes for "librairie" (bookstore) in Paris brought 672 responses. Even allowing for some duplication, more than you would ever see in a comparably sized American city. In the 5th arrondissemennt, there are 89.

@kerouac, unfortunately I'm afraid you're right. I've seen other petitions, and although most of the people in the quartier get behind it, it's never quite enough.

TPaxe

La Hune has moved I think. It's now just on the side of Eglise St Germain where Dior used to be. I saw the name briefly when I was going past on the bus and it seemed like it is bigger than before.

kerouac

But it is in danger again. Saint Germain-des-Prés used to be the literary center of the city, but now it is known as the area in Paris where the most bookstores have closed (more than 50% in the last 20 years).

FNAC, the biggest bookseller in France, even though it is a soulless chain, is moving into the sale of coffeemakers and vacuum cleaners to survive.

toupary6

From literary center to luxe fashion center in 20 years.