Community Support Gives Kepler's Hope of Reopening

On Tuesday, September 6, less than a week after Kepler's Bookstore abruptly shut its doors and owner Clark Kepler told his employees the store was out of business, some 450 people rallied together in downtown Menlo Park in the hopes of saving the 50-year-old institution.

Kepler told BTW via e-mail that he was surprised by the overwhelming support. "I felt a sense of wonderment. It was astonishing, encouraging, and humbling," he said.

Neal Coonerty of Bookshop Santa Cruz, who drove the 45 miles to Menlo Park from Santa Cruz to attend the rally, explained, "Cars were passing along on El Camino Real, honking horns of support. I think this community wants this bookstore to keep going for another 50 years -- as a number of speakers noted."

Now there's a chance they may just get their wish.

News of the store's closure "sparked a wave of support from elected officials, former politicians, lawyers, and literary agents, all pledging to help Kepler reopen the store at its current El Camino Real location," the San Francisco Examiner reported. According to Inside Bay Area, at the rally, Councilwoman Kelly Ferguson told Kepler's supporters that "a group of 'high-level' investors had formed with an interest in keeping the store afloat." Furthermore, the article noted, Kepler had met with his landlord, the Tan Group, prior to the rally to discuss ways in which to keep the store open.

Kepler confirmed via e-mail that the group of investors interested in helping the store has some financial clout, that he has held off declaring bankruptcy at present, and he has contacted publishers to update them on his situation and to discuss credit terms. Kepler told BTW, "I am optimistic that we can reopen."

Coonerty was happy to see the community support the bookstore. "The community came together and realized that Kepler's is about more than the exchange of money for books," he said. "It was a vital part of the community, it was the heart of Menlo Park. It's nice to see the enthusiasm and outpouring to make sure it continues. This great bookstore is in a wealthy, educated community. If Kepler's fails, it's a failure of our industry."

For more information on the movement to save Kepler's, go to www.savekeplers.com. --David Grogan