Chicago bookstore has clearance sale after owner’s death, except he hadn’t died
His landlord thought he’d died. People shared fond memories of him. A clearance sale was arranged. But Bill Fiedler had simply retired
Word travelled fast that the owner of a nearly century-old bookstore had died.
Social media posts were made. A news article written. Emails sent.
When Rebecca George, the co-owner of a bookstore in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighbourhood, was told the owner of The Gallery Bookstore in Lakeview had died and left behind a store full of books, she mobilised Chicago’s book-loving community.
After all, George estimated there were 20,000 or 30,000 books crammed inside the store, which had only ever had two owners and had been under the care of Bill Fiedler since 1989.
People can think you’re dead all they want
An “End of an Era” sale was organised for the store last weekend to honour Fiedler’s legacy and distribute his books and memorabilia at discounted prices to as many people as possible.
