Readers mourn Kepler's closing Readers mourn Kepler's closing (September 07, 2005)

Some ideas that might be used to save Kepler's

Editor:

The Iraq war, the devastation of New Orleans, and now the demise of Kepler's Books & Magazines. . . is the world coming to an end? In a sense it is for Menlo Park. The loss of Kepler's is like a community stroke, or the loss of heart muscle.

In my opinion, this is a financial issue and needs an innovative financial solution. I am not a sharp pencil type nor am I acquainted with the actual debts or the numbers but here are some thoughts I would like to share. They are based on the idea that perhaps Clark Kepler could still turn to his large base of loyal customers to help out in the following ways. * Charge $49 a year for Kepler's loyal membership dues. * Offer some form of community equity shares in the business. * Annual Book pledge levels to purchase at least $100, $300, $500, or $1,000 worth of books per year. * Sponsor special discussion or book events and charge a fee to attend. * Charge admission to all author talks at $2 per event: waived with book purchase. * Hold an annual Big Bash contribution party and ask local celebrities like Joan Baez and Shirley Temple Black to attend. * Charge a browsing fee of $1, waived with a purchase (wouldn't that generate at least $500 a day?). * Offer special research services for a fee.
This is only a start but it would be a shame to let go without exploring possible options to reverse the closing. Saving one bookstore may also be a way of saving other bookstores.

After all, no matter how many Internet bookshops are out there, they do not furnish the opportunity to explore, browse, touch, read and examine books and return them easily; nor do they provide free ambiance, customer discussion opportunities, intellectual entertainment and stimulation every day from 10 am to midnight. Someone has to pay for the electricity, and its not going to be Amazon.

Josh Abend

Fremont Street, Menlo Park

A massive loss for the Midpeninsula

Editor:

The closing of Kepler's Books is a massive loss for people on the Midpeninsula. Kepler's was not just any small business. It was a bookstore, a meeting place, a lecture hall, a place to share information and ideas -- a full-fledged community center.

My guess is that there are many people like me who are not only devastated by the news of Kepler's demise but also interested in figuring out a way to sustain an independently owned (non-chain) bookstore in this area. It may or may not be Kepler's. But the continued well-being and vitality of our larger community requires a place like Kepler's.

If you are interested in joining with me and others to keep the spirit of Kepler's alive, please contact me at micloss@earthlink.net. We need to start planning for the future.

Michael Closson

Poe Street, Palo Alto

Realizing the loss of a treasured benefactor

Editor:

Thursday morning after a restless and painful attempt to sleep, I awoke to the realization that the news I had heard Wednesday afternoon was true.

Pushed aside for a while were the ravages of Hurricane Katrina and the continued pain of Iraq and Afghanistan. I fully realized that Menlo Park and especially the city's library, its friends, and the young people of Menlo Park, had lost one of its treasured benefactors.

Carrying on the strong community spirit of his father, Clark Kepler reached out in a multitude of ways to help the schools, library and community in general. The Almanac's coverage of Kepler's 50th anniversary in May touched on some of the community contributions.

Personally, for me and the Friends of the Library, we were grateful to receive ongoing support from Kepler's for the Belle Haven-Menlo Park Joint Library as well as the additional funds donated as a percentage of the children's books sold at Kepler's for an entire month. This grew into the "It's For the Kids" program for the month of May that coincided with the Kepler's Day "Celebration of the Magic of Reading," an 11-year tradition that helped celebrate our excellent schools, reading and the library.

The event became a grand musical celebration in Kepler's Plaza and featured fourth graders from Encinal and Laurel schools, all the way through Hillview's more experienced musicians to the grand finale in the afternoon, the Menlo-Atherton Jazz and Concert bands.

Drawings brought money to the burgeoning music programs of our participating schools and gave our young musicians a public opportunity to share their skills.

Furthermore, Kepler's helped us to display the work of young artists expressing their joy of reading through the depiction of something from their favorite books. And, Kepler's helped advertise the Friends' annual Book Fair, the major fund-raiser for adult and children's reading programs. Then, in the 50th Anniversary celebration drawings, Kepler's again donated to the school and public libraries in the area.

The loss of Kepler's is like the death of a family member, someone so dear to so many of us. Of course, the store took on the persona of the Kepler family, who poured so much generosity into the community. The store put up a valiant fight for area private bookstores, but ultimately fell to the behemoth booksellers, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders. The community feelings of love and respect for our award-winning bookstore did not translate into profits.

Like so many places in Menlo Park known by the name of the original owner, Kepler's Plaza will always be Kepler's Plaza with warm memories and sadness, but gratitude for the Kepler family and all that they brought to Menlo Park. We didn't get a chance to say goodbye and words don't ever help us much in losses like this, but we wish all involved in Kepler's the best in days to come.

Timothy Goode

Vine Street, Menlo Park

Not sure the city can find a good replacement

Editor:

I read in the paper today about Kepler's closing -- what a terrible shock.

The article mentioned that the City Council had worked with Clark Kepler to modify his rent agreement, to no avail. David Johnson, the city's business development manager said "an effort to attract a suitable replacement business will be initiated today."

After the Menlo Park Hardware fiasco, I have to say I just don't have any confidence in that effort being successful. That space sat empty for some time after the owners of Menlo Park Hardware opted to not renew their lease. Then a store came, was not successful, finally left, and now a hardware store is back - a happy result in the end, but what a circular way to arrive right back where we began.

Kepler's is a local institution; a unique and integral part of the fabric of our community. I simple can't imagine what business could take over its large, critically situated space, without being a blight on one of the most attractive and vibrant sections of our downtown area. In my opinion, if the City Council and City Manager can't step up to do "whatever it takes" to save an irreplaceable institution like Kepler's, then you're just not doing your job.

It's a shame this all came out after the doors were closed. Surely something might still be done to save Kepler's before the closure truly is irrevocable. Please make this a priority.

Kate Kennedy

Menlo Park

Mourning the loss of a reason to live here

Editor:

I am in mourning for a bookstore, but not just any bookstore. I am mourning the loss of Kepler's bookstore, one of the many reasons I moved to Menlo Park almost 15 years ago.

Respected for its feistiness in the face of chain bookstores, high rent and online book services, as well as its high quality and variety of books, the excellent service and speaker series, this local treasure will be sorely missed.

It's sad that the only businesses that can make it in these high rent times are chains. Younger generations won't know about the spirit, enterprise and quality that independent businesses bring to our communities.

Kepler's, I thank you for the many years of excellent service and fine books that you've brought my way.

Elizabeth Lasensky

Fremont Street, Menlo Park

Shocked at loss Kepler's, other community landmarks

Editor:

I am so saddened about the closing of Kepler's Books in Menlo Park.

We've lost the Park Theater in Menlo Park, Cafe Verona in downtown Palo Alto, and the Cookbook in the Town and Country Center, and so many other establishments that were community hubs that are being lost to the potential for higher rents from corporate high-bidders like Starbucks.

The Park Theater is still vacant, the marquee taken away by its current owner and I haven't seen any new tenants at the Cafe Verona site either. How can the property owners be so shortsighted, pushing out long-time tenants for the quick buck that doesn't always come? And while they are at it, generate ill will in the community?

I wish there could be a community spirit that went along with making a fair profit on one's property. I would think that would be to the property owner's benefit as well. Instead of having to be legislated into doing the right thing, why can't property owners appreciate making a good steady profit without always having to have greater profits each year at the expense of most things that are worthy of appreciation?

For now, I'll be grateful that we still have Cafe Borrone. I hope there are fewer stories about places like Kepler's closing and that Roy Borrone and all his great family are able to be part of our community for generations to come.

Rich Ambroson Menlo Park

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