Vroman’s Bookstore, 2 other shops for sale, owner announces
Cameron Kiszla
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.”
Former US president Jimmy Carter holds up one of his earlier books during a book signing at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, California, on Dec. 11, 2006. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
Former US president Jimmy Carter speaks to the media before a book signing at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, California, on Dec. 11, 2006. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton greets a young guest as he signs a copy of his new book “Giving” at Vroman’s Book Store on Sept. 18, 2007 in Pasadena, California. (John M. Heller/Getty Images)
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton greets a young guest as he signs a copy of his new book “Giving” at Vroman’s Book Store on Sept. 18, 2007 in Pasadena, California. (John M. Heller/Getty Images)
Former First Lady Laura Bush signs copies of her memoir, “Spoken from the Heart,” at the Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Actress Raquel Welch signs copies of her book “Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage” at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, California, on April 22, 2010. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
Former Major League Baseball player Jose Canseco’s book “Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits and How Baseball Got Big,” sits on display at Vroman’s Bookstore Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Ret. Gen. Anthony Zinni makes a stop to discuss and sign copies of his book “The Battle for Peace” at Vroman’s Bookstore on April 20, 2006 in Pasadena, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Vroman’s book store, 60 East Colorado St., Pasadena, California, 1923. Artist Frances Benjamin Johnston. (Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
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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.
