Editorial: Kepler's wins hearts and lower rent Editorial: Kepler's wins hearts and lower rent (October 12, 2005)

After several weeks of tense bargaining with its landlord, Kepler's, the popular Menlo Park bookstore whose shaky finances forced it to close in August, is back in business -- apparently saved by a public outpouring of money and what is perceived as a huge public commitment to shop at the store.

With a group of business-savvy volunteer financiers who invested more than $500,000 to keep the store afloat, and an unspecified rent reduction from the Tan Group, which owns the bookstore's Menlo Center space, the store reopened last Saturday, selling books and memberships in a fashion similar to that used in public radio and television.

Clark Kepler, son of founder Roy Kepler, will retain a controlling 30 percent interest and is enthusiastic that the new business model will keep the independent bookstore alive and well. Congratulations to Kepler's and all the volunteers who worked hard to make the reopening possible.

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