Vroman’s and Book Soup — among the oldest, largest and best-loved independent bookstores in Southern California — are up for sale, the stores’ owner announced Thursday.
“As I approach my 80th birthday, it’s time to begin the process of retiring and finding new ownership outside of the Sheldon family,” Joel Sheldon said in a statement posted on social media.
Vroman’s also operates a smaller store in the Hastings Ranch neighborhood. The downtown Pasadena bookstore purchased West Hollywood’s Book Soup in 2009 after its owner died. All three stores, employing a total of more than 150 workers, are up for sale.
“Vroman’s deserves new ownership with the vision, energy, and commitment necessary to take it successfully into the future,” Sheldon said. “We will take the time needed to find the right new ownership — someone who shares our core values and who is committed to preserving Vroman’s as a community treasure.”
Sheldon wrote that business would continue as usual during the process of finding a buyer.
Founded in 1894, Vroman’s was for many years the largest bookstore west of the Mississippi. Its colorful history includes the story that during World War II, Vroman’s donated and delivered books to Japanese Americans interned at nearby camps, returning on several occasions despite being fired upon by camp guards.
Vroman’s is known for its book-signings and other events. Before the pandemic, the store hosted hundreds of free community events each year, including children’s storytimes, trivia nights, craft classes, bake-offs, and special launch parties. Author signing events included Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and authors Irving Stone, Upton Sinclair, Ray Bradbury, David Sedaris, Salman Rushdie, and Joan Didion.
Sheldon said he is retiring after nearly 50 years of running the bookstore.