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Modern Times Bookstore, a Valencia Street staple in the Mission that’s a one-stop shop for progressive titles, traditional fiction and magazines like Bitch, is closing its doors. In addition to selling a range of titles, the store features open mics, meeting space and appearances from artists like Miranda July, who appeared to a standing-room only crowd in front of a big, cheerful, (unrelated to her reading) sign that read "Hella Gay."
In an e-mail, the bookstore wrote that its landlord had decided not to renew its lease and had given the store until April 30 to vacate the space. The already-struggling store had previously been contacted by the organization Busboys & Poets, a D.C.-based restaurant, bookstore and progressive event space, about folding the store into a San Francisco incarnation of the East Coast outpost. But that eventuality is at least a year away. For now, Modern Times is looking for interim housing.
It’s no secret that tough times have befallen independent booksellers and other small businesses and organizations. In February, the much-loved Berkeley comic-seller Comic Relief closed its doors.
But there are some bright spots among the doom and gloom. Dark Carnival, another Berkeley bookstore that specializes in science fiction, will be opening a new store stocked with inventory purchased from the defunct Comic Relief.
And Noisebridge, a San Francisco member-financed hacker collective, was able to raise enough money to stave off closure.
For its part, Modern Times isn't ready to throw in the towel. Until it's shuttered in April, it is encouraging patrons to buy books, attend events and stay tuned for news of the impending move.
© The Bay Citizen, 2012
Hank E. Panky
Bookstores. What a nice relic of the past. Who needs bookstores when we have no teachers and no schools to teach our children how to read? Besides, illiterate people make much better serfs. Besides, it's about time to start burning books and incarcerate those who read them. Fahrenheit 451, here we come!
Helena Smith
It would be interesting to hear the other side of this story: Why is the landlord refusing to renew the lease? Doesn't like the tenant's philosophy? Has a better paying tenant in mind? Just for the heck of it?
Mark Pritchard
Cover to Cover in Noe Valley also just closed. That makes two bookstores with a similar customer base -- liberal college-educated San Franciscans -- closing in adjacent neighborhoods. However, the two stores were different in size and scope. Cover to Cover was a small neighborhood store, and Modern Times had a much larger space and more stock, plus the readings you mentioned. (I wonder how this will affect Litquake in October!)
Isaac Rabinovitch
Noisebridge sounds like an interesting place. If I had $80/month to spend and a need technology space and collaboration, I'd probably join. But what does it have to with struggling bookstores?
Andy Wright
Hi Isaac-
I was trying to make the point that even though small businesses and organizations are struggling, there are success stories out there!
Best,
Andy
Dotcom Gentrification
Well thank God some Dot Com Gentrifiers came up with the money from their Google jobs to finance their hacker "community" playpen. For all the money flushed down Noisebridge you could probably finance two or three bookstores in the Mission- thanks for pointing out the connection, Bay Citizen.
Modern Times
Hey, Just to clarify. We are planning to move, not close. The content of this piece is generally correct, but the title is a little misleading.