Comments on: PQ Olsson’s Announces Closing

By: artisan resident

artisan resident — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:35:06 +0000

#41 – I don’t have any specific information. I was just speculating, based on news reports of financial troubles for the entire Borders chain, plus proximity of that store to B&N.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:14:03 +0000

#32 — do you know for a fact that Borders is closing or are you just postulating?

It’s sad to see an independent bookstore close, but we also have the main branch of the DC public library in our neighborhood — it would be wonderful to pour some resources into making the library a more vibrant part of the community. Count me amongst those who didn’t buy at Olssons — browsed occasionally — but I don’t buy many books, choosing to get them from the library whenever possible; secondarily, if I want something specific I’ll usually buy it from Amazon when I can qualify for free shipping; and if I feel like spending a good few hours browsing, I’ll usually hit B&N where the selection is huge and my browsing feels more indulgent.

I’m not happy to see Olsson’s close, but I am a huge Wagamama’s fan from when I lived in the UK. It’s quite a different experience from the other restaurants in PQ, IMHO.

By: Stanley

Stanley — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:51:40 +0000

I’ll really miss you guys!

I’ve spent some serious cash in your store over the last 10 years and every penny has been worth it.

You have great books/DVDs and sponser great readings.

I’ll be going to the other stores for sure.

By: Kelby

Kelby — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:11:10 +0000

There’s a lot of stray cats north of the convention center in Shaw. They used to stake out my fish pond waiting for a chance to eat.

By: Another Anon

Another Anon — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:37:39 +0000

Olsson’s had been operating under a lease they signed 10 years ago. The landlord is going to get three times the rent from the new tenant. Part of their problem is the plight of independent bookstores (and I think that’s more an Amazon.com issue than one of vying with Borders and Barnes & Noble — some people browse at Olsson’s and then buy from Amazon), but the more fundamental problem is that the neighborhood is a lot more attractive than it was 10 years ago and rents have gone up.

I personally didn’t feel that Olsson’s made good use of their floor space, but I’ve only been in the ‘hood for a few years, and it may be that management saw the handwriting on the wall with the lease.

By: Jean

Jean — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:31:29 +0000

I just wanted to say hello and thank you to all of you soon to be former Olsson’s Lansburgh customers.

I was the first store manager at this location (pre-Footnotes, pre-MCI center, pre-amazing development of 7th Street corridor). It was still a great neighborhood to come to every day–between the daytime crowd, the neighborhood residents and the adventurous tourists asking where the Hard Rock cafe was.

I moved to the Old Town Alexandria store in 1995, but whenever I would visit the old digs I inevitably ran into former customers.

I’m sad to see it go, but I wanted to thank any of this blogs readers who were part of the community from 1993-95.

By: ed

ed — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:15:12 +0000

#33 see metroferals.org

#31 Developers have vision? Give me a break. The true pioneers are Jaleo, Adamson Gallery, Go Mama Go, Hamburger Mary’s, Apartment Zero, etc. What “tax breaks and favors from the city” did they get?

By: Clara Barton Dweller

Clara Barton Dweller — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:53:18 +0000

What feral cats? I’ve never seen any stray cats in our neighborhood. I think he must have been pulling our collective leg….or does it in some other neighborhood.

By: pqresident

pqresident — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:15:34 +0000

#32 – artisan resident – that is true that you didn’t hear shock from Olsson’s which is telling. they have other locations which make them a going concern. the digitization of consumer media (music, books, newspapers) means that retailing of such products has to evolve. someone will crack the code.

By: Lansburgh Guy

Lansburgh Guy — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:41:56 +0000

There is actually a guy and his wife in the hood who “traps, neuters,and returns feral cats in the neighborhood.” See # 23. Am I the only one who finds that a bit odd? when and where do you guys do this? Can anyone watch?