DCist: Olsson's Books and Records Abruptly Closes Updated

Disco Stu

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:54:39 -0500

CRAP! I had a discount coupon I never used! If only Ben Bernakky would've warned me, I'da done some Emergency Xmas Shopping to bail them out! Dang.

monkeyrotica

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:31:24 -0500

Lots of fond Proustian memories of Olsson's. We'd always stop by after a movie at the Key or Biograph or the one in Dupont and poke around the semiology, film and erotica sections. In the pre-MP3 days, the Georgetown store had a decent selection of unpopular CDs and obscure history books which, I guess in hindsight, is why they went out of business. But I guess what I'll miss the most will be the hot goths/punks/book geeks they used to hire. Olsson's was smart enough to know that a cute pierced face, a bright red dye job, and a huge tattooed rack at the front counter brings in business. Just not the same now, what with everybody's granny sporting tramp stamps. I hate America.

Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:19:54 -0500

Oh, this is so sad! I grew up in DC, but haven't lived there in years -- I was so excited to read at Olsson's for my new novel, So Many Ways to Sleep Badly, in December (planned for December 3) -- now I guess I'll have to find a new location...

loganmo

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:55:47 -0500

I am actually pretty grateful for BAM tonight since they allow puppies in their store and I took shelter there for over an hour when it started to rain on our walk...

erahk0

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:11:37 -0500

"how does Olsson's close and Books-a-million stay open" agree location contributed; but quantity always rules over quality.

DCster

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:04:11 -0500

B-a-M's predecessor, Crown Books actually did go out of business around 2000. I hate to hear this news about Olsson's though, another local business bites the dust. I hope Lamda Rising doesn't suffer the same fate.

AMDCer

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:27:52 -0500

how does Olsson's close and Books-a-million stay open? Location - B-a-M is much more visible so they get the tourist business. Really too bad, Olsson's was a quality store.

MikeB

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:23:57 -0500

how does Olsson's close and Books-a-million stay open? Hopefully they can answer that once the Large Hadron Collider is back up and running.

jman

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:13:55 -0500

Won't city life be great when our urban centers consist of condos, Starbuck's, and wine bars... and nothing else?

smittydc

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:11:02 -0500

I'll miss it and have fond memories of shopping at the old georgetown store -- but to be honest I haven't gone in Olsson's in ages. Say hi to Kemp Mill for us when you get to small chain heaven.

TheMistler

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:08:23 -0500

But... but... I was just there yesterday. Man, this really stinks, 'specially as i work across the street. Kramerbooks is nearby, at least, so I drink away my sorrows while still enjoying some local bookstore ambiance. I had loved how common independent bookstores were in this area when I moved here. This truly disheartens me.

Mojotron

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:26:43 -0500

how does Olsson's close and Books-a-million stay open?

loganmo

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:17:46 -0500

While I realize that there are chain stores nearbymost of the Olsons, I highly suspect if you did research, that Internet book and music selling is much more responsible than the presence of chain stores...but that's just a feeling, no evidence or anything.

McGillicuddy

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:15:34 -0500

this no doubt is a direct result of the Large Hadron Collider (Satan's work).

The Vinyl District

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:12:14 -0500

...this on top of the official announcement that Orpheus Records in Clarendon will shut its doors on 10/12. Really...what does this say about us all - not just in DC but everywhere? Sheez.

erahk0

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:04:22 -0500

re: "correction: Olsson's was 36 years old, not 16" Yeah, I caught that too but thought it meant that store's specific address. I do remember way back when Olson's was on the Conn. Ave side of the same building before it was completely renovated. It has been nice having Olsons on that block to provide us with a consistent neighbor over all those years. And i know as a small business owner how difficult it can be maintaining a storefront in this city.

maralenenok

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:56:21 -0500

I went there on my lunch break to buy Terry Pratchett's new book. There was a small mob of people looking at the sign and taking pictures. Maybe former employees, as some were taking things out of the store. What a bummer.

MahoganyShip

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:55:14 -0500

Weird. I was just at the Crystal City store yesterday, having just then noticed that it was there. I feel bad now that I didn't buy anything.

Kev29

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:54:17 -0500

Bailout Olsson's!

Olssonite

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:43:10 -0500

All five stores have closed. Dupont Circle, Courthouse, Crystal City, Reagan National, and Old Town-Alexandria. The company was forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy in June by creditors, re-organized and filed Chapter 11, and now has re-filed for Chapter 7 liquidation. Also, a correction: Olsson's was 36 years old, not 16. It was DC's oldest independent bookstore.

no_pants_mcgee

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:35:58 -0500

BOO.

Warshington

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:34:53 -0500

I worked for Olssons for 5 years at the end of high school and on breaks through college, although never specifically at the DuPont location. This sucks, and its really bad for the remaining stores as Dupont was often the strongest performer while I was there. Still it is very hard to stay in business when your company is used as a barometer for choosing locations by larger chains. I guarantee that at any of the remaining stores you can find a Barnes & Noble or a Borders within a few blocks Hopefully they can contract and get through this, but I am not too optimistic.

Stan Buzzman

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:30:01 -0500

Aw, Super Suck!

pia

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:20:39 -0500

So sad! Over the years, I've spent my fair share of time and money in the small chain...It will be missed!

Fanciepants

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:15:51 -0500

This makes me sad. When I used to work near the Dupont store, I must have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars there on books and CDs, as well as wasted hours upon hours of work time browsing aimlessly. They used to have a pretty decent music selection and a generous frequent buyer program. This sucks.

erahk0

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:14:43 -0500

Another local casualty of the web and big box bookstore (Borders down the street). I sure hope Melody Records can hold on.

IMGoph

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:10:26 -0500

i guess it's RIP olsson's. yet another local chain consigned to the dustbin of history.

HCE

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:00:20 -0500

This really sucks. I was just in there Sunday afternoon, and everything appeared as normal. Of course their music selection isn't nearly what it used to be, but I was still able to find some interesting stuff.