Wednesday, February 12, 2003
During my second year in school I lived in Philadelphia for a semester on a college internship program. After a few comical, and definitely unsuccessful, interviews with stock brokerages and other "high finance" institutions, I met Larry Robin owner of Robin's Books. I worked for Larry learning the bookstore business, attending a regional trade show, and helping with a few of the many book fairs he participates in.
Larry's family has owned the bookstore since the thirties. It's in the heart of downtown Philly, serving a neighborhood that has at times been bustling, depressed, and now is in the midst of a renaissance.
He's a very compassionate man, though kind of gruff when you first meet him. It took a week or so before he began telling me stories of having the Rolling Stones in the store, fighting the censorship ban on Tropic of Cancer, and meeting Jerry Garcia (who looks remarkably like Larry). Through his nonprofit arm, Moonstone, Inc., Larry has helped organize some of the major literary events for the city, including the Celebration of Black Writing.
Here's Larry's website, read the page on Meet Larry:
www.robinsbookstore.com
|
Go to Top of Page
Larry's family has owned the bookstore since the thirties. It's in the heart of downtown Philly, serving a neighborhood that has at times been bustling, depressed, and now is in the midst of a renaissance.
He's a very compassionate man, though kind of gruff when you first meet him. It took a week or so before he began telling me stories of having the Rolling Stones in the store, fighting the censorship ban on Tropic of Cancer, and meeting Jerry Garcia (who looks remarkably like Larry). Through his nonprofit arm, Moonstone, Inc., Larry has helped organize some of the major literary events for the city, including the Celebration of Black Writing.
Here's Larry's website, read the page on Meet Larry:
www.robinsbookstore.com
