February 11, 2008
Candida's World of Books To Close
Wendy Kaufman over at The Happy Booker (via City Desk) alerts us to the sad news that Candida's World of Books, the 14th Street independent bookstore that focused primarily on travel and international titles, will soon be shutting its doors after only four years in business.
Candida's had a niche, and its niche was "travel," for want of a better word. But referring to Candida's as a "travel" bookstore didn't really do justice to what it offered. Sure, you could go there and pick up the latest Fodor's or Lonely Planet guide, or maps and other travel necessities (such as journals or empty scrapbooks that invited your filling them with your observations or artifacts you discovered).
But it's also where you could find a knowledgeable staff that knew the difference between mere "guidebooks" and travel books, and who could in turn direct you to some of the best travel narratives on whatever region you were planning to visit or wanting to know more about. Candida's was where you could discover the writing of Peter Fleming -- brother of Ian, author of the James Bond spy novels -- who was not only an experienced traveler but whose travel narratives demonstrated that he was perhaps a better prose stylist than his brother; it's where you could find Paul Fussell's Abroad: British Literary Traveling Between The Wars, one of the most influential surveys of the genre and one that perhaps single-handedly resurrected it from obscurity. It's where you could easily pick up a copy of Bruce Chatwin's In Patagonia or Robert Byron's The Road to Oxiana, so brilliant a travel narrative that it's been described as "the Ulysses of travel books."
The store is closed on Mondays, so we haven't been able to reach them today to find out all the details yet. According to Kaufman, "all Candida's stock is now 20% off, if not discounted even more heavily -- some books on sale at $3.00, $5.00, $10.00....Everything, including bookshelves, kiddie reading house, rolling ladders, must go!"
Bargains, to be sure. But still too high a price. Candida's will be missed.
Photo by Rob Goodspeed
|
No! Before I go on a trip I always go to Candida's and buy a guidebook. Plus, they have a nice selection of learn to speak Korean workbooks.
Sob.
All right! I've been wanting another Starbucks in DC for a while now.
The picture makes this post more funny than sad.
BOOKSTORE OPEN
BOOKSTORE CLOSED
This is very sad news. I guess this buiklding will become yet another condo or starbucks.
That's bad news. I recall even more fondly the old travel bookstore that was on Wisconsin Avenue in Tenleytown.
It would be interesting to know if their rent was going to be significantly increasing since all the construction near them has been finished or if they just did not have enough patrons.
I think it is very difficult for small "niche" stores to stay in business today. Sadly we live a few blocks away but would only buy something there about once a year. If that is true for most of the people in the area then it would not be enough for any store to stay in business.
Just wanted to note that on the DCist blog I'd prefer more articles about things that I CAN go to, rather than things that I didn't know existed until you told me it's closed.
I understand noting this, but maybe it would still be open if there were more articles about these kinds of places when they are in business, not going out.
Of course, I'm relatively new to the DCist. Was there already an article about this place?
Lorenzo, as a matter of fact.
Just wanted to note that on the DCist blog I'd prefer more articles about things that I CAN go to, rather than things that I didn't know existed until you told me it's closed.
I understand noting this, but maybe it would still be open if there were more articles about these kinds of places when they are in business, not going out.
Of course, I'm relatively new to the DCist. Was there already an article about this place?
I never went into that place. Then again, I hate leaving my house, much less the country.
Also, the idea that people are blaming this on rising rents amuses me. Do you honestly think this area was cheap in 2004? I think that they simply selected far too narrow of a niche market.
welcome to the dcist, lorenzo.
the sommer gave you a good link to follow there.
the the is a great band.
the imgoph is being a bit of a jerk here, but it makes him smile.
people still go to stores to buy books?
aid cannon - Maybe rents didn't go up five-fold, but property taxes did.
After 15 years, the Rupperts are closing their music venue and a cafe, and they may shut the rest by year's end. The reason: an expected fivefold increase, from $52,000 to $269,000, in the 2008 property tax bill for the enclave's three buildings and an adjoining parking lot.
Sorry to see them go, they were a good neighborhood business to have around, and they always seemed friendly.
I can't say that I'm surprised, though. For one, it's questionnable whether their niche was wide enough to sustain them. There were very few books at Candida's that one could not also find at Barnes and noble or other mega-chains.
More importantly, though, it was quite evident that customers weren't meant to linger in Candida's, and that's a bookstore model that really doesn't work well anymore. There weren't many places to sit down, and no food or drink to get you to stay awhile--just a few rows of books and some maps and other specialty items. Candida's wasn't designed as a destination--you didn't go there to hang out. You went there because it was convenient and to see if they had any books for the region you were about to travel to. If not, there wasn't really much hanging around--out you went.
It's a shame they couldn't find a way to make it work (like tying in their business somehow with the Artfully Chocolate store next door), but the fact that they're closing doesn't surprise me.
Sorry to see them go, they were a good neighborhood business to have around, and they always seemed friendly.
I can't say that I'm surprised, though. For one, it's questionnable whether their niche was wide enough to sustain them. There were very few books at Candida's that one could not also find at Barnes and noble or other mega-chains.
More importantly, though, it was quite evident that customers weren't meant to linger in Candida's, and that's a bookstore model that really doesn't work well anymore. There weren't many places to sit down, and no food or drink to get you to stay awhile--just a few rows of books and some maps and other specialty items. Candida's wasn't designed as a destination--you didn't go there to hang out. You went there because it was convenient and to see if they had any books for the region you were about to travel to. If not, there wasn't really much hanging around--out you went.
It's a shame they couldn't find a way to make it work (like tying in their business somehow with the Artfully Chocolate store next door), but the fact that they're closing doesn't surprise me.
for the lorenzo
I'd just like to point out the lameness of lamenting the loss of another independent bookstore while in the same breath linking multiple book recommendations via Amazon so you can get your lousy Associate fee.
Jackass.
(A). I neither receive an “associate fee” from Amazon.com nor know how to obtain one in the first place. The only things I get from Amazon.com are books, DVDs and larger credit card bills.
(B). I merely link to Amazon.com’s site because the site contains graphic displays of author’s books, along with other information that might be helpful. When the LOC starts doing the same thing, I’ll link there.
I appreciate your kind demurrer. Gracious of you. Thanks.
Sad news indeed, but 14thandYou hit every salient point right on the head.
This is what we need in the neighborhood: an early morning/late night deli/book store. Think a kosher Kramer's.
(Or, maybe it's just me...usually is...)
I vote for getting rid of those shitty Toyota Corolla ads. They slow down my browser big time.
i'd be willing to drive to 14th for decent kosher ANYTHING! unfortunately, all the Jews left after the '68 riots, so good luck finding enough goyim to sustain your business model. they wouldn't know their schtuckusses from their schtupps.
You think the comments would have gone up into the mid-40's if the story explicitly stated Candidas was somewhere near Dupont? You know, the 'cause of the tie in to the whole loss of local/indie retail in Dupont meme...
meh. too niche.
Very sad news. Candida's was a jewel. It wasn't a just a travel bookstore, it was a store full of books from around the world. It had a great selection of books in foreign languages (not just "language books"). It had books *about* places, not just guidebooks. I loved Candida's. DC is losing a cosmopolitan jem.
I wasn't sure which post I'd address first, but monkeyrotica wins!
Monkey:
What do you mean that all the Jews left in 1968???? Candidas was located at the corner of 14th & Q and the DC Jewish Community Center is at the corner of 16th & Q!! They have a kosher (glatt) restaurant there! With all due respect, your comment was uninformed, to say the least.
While we're at it, why insult the non-Jews? I assure you, Candida would never condone that.
I wasn't sure which post I'd address first, but monkeyrotica wins!
Monkey:
What do you mean that all the Jews left in 1968???? Candidas was located at the corner of 14th & Q and the DC Jewish Community Center is at the corner of 16th & Q!! They have a kosher (glatt) restaurant there! With all due respect, your comment was uninformed, to say the least.
While we're at it, why insult the non-Jews? I assure you, Candida would never condone that.
Oh, by the way, Monkey, I know alot of Jews who live in the Logan Circle neighborhood. You shouldn't make statements, especially inflammatory ones, unless you can support your statements.
I hadn't been to Candidas in a couple of months, so I didn't know she closed.
To the people who said Candidas' wasn't a place meant for people to linger: Yes it was. She had chairs for people to sit and read, but it was a small store and space is at a premium in DC, especially if you are a small business.
To the people who said Candida did not have a sustainable niche: She was in business since at least 2002! Six years!
Candida had great customer service.
To the people who said that you could find anything in Candidas at the larger bookstores: That is not quite true. I found a couple of books that weren't there.