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Vroman’s Bookstore, 2 other shops for sale, owner announces

Venerable Pasadena shop Vroman’s Bookstore is up for sale, the owner announced.

Joel Sheldon, whose family has owned Vroman’s for more than 100 of the store’s 130-year history, said on Instagram that as he nears turning 80, “it’s time to begin the process of retiring and finding new ownership outside of the Sheldon family.”

“Vroman’s deserves new ownership with the vision, energy, and commitment necessary to take it successfully into the future,” he added.

Sheldon told the Pasadena Star-News that though two other bookstores are included — Vroman’s Hastings Ranch location and Book Soup on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood — he will not sell to “national retail chains.”

“We want someone who really appreciates Vroman’s and wants to continue it as a community resource,” he told the Star-News. “So we’ll start with local people — maybe a family or group of younger people who would really look forward to this.”

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When speaking with LAist, Sheldon elaborated, saying he’s looking for “a local individual with business skills, and probably some wealth.”

Vroman’s has long held a special place in the Southern California literary world, hosting events for former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, as well as Hollywood luminaries like Raquel Welch and Jessica Alba.

That community impact is something Sheldon indicated would continue.

“Our goal is to maintain business as usual and do our best to avoid any kind of disruption to our customers or employees,” Sheldon said.