Some sad news to pass along this afternoon — John Olsson, the founder of now-defunct beloved local chain Olsson’s Books & Records, reportedly died last Thursday.

UPDATE:Olsson’s has since posted a press release on their web site announcing the closing of all five locations. They’ve also created a blog-style testimonial page for fans of the local chain to leave their thoughts on the news. Olsson Enterprises, Inc., trading as Olsson’s Books & Records, Record & Tape Ltd., and Olsson’s Books announced today that it has closed all of its locations and petitioned the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Maryland for conversion…

It was just a couple weeks ago that we told you about Olsson’s plans to shutter its Penn Quarter location — which it finally did, on Friday. In an email to customers, owner John Olsson had said that “The landlord has other plans for the space,” and we confirmed that those plans were to bring in UK noodle shop Wagamama. But the Post reported on Saturday that it looks like there’s a lot more to…

With the official news that the Olsson’s in Penn Quarter is closing, there’s some speculation in our comments as to what will be in the new space. According to a few sources, Wagamama, the http://dcist.com/2008/03/14/the_weekly_feed_36.php”>British-owned ramen bar will be taking the space. Though it’s a bit further south on 7th St., the spot is bound to butt heads with other casual high-end fast food joints like Chop’t and the soon-to-be-opening Vapiano, as well as another…

Sad news for lovers of locally-owned bookstores: the Olsson’s location in the Lansburgh building in Penn Quarter is shutting down. We had heard rumors this was in the works for a couple of weeks, especially after so many author events appeared to be moving to the Dupont Circle location. The email below was sent out to the Olsson’s list on Monday. Dear Friends, After 15 years in The Lansburgh building on 7th Street NW, the…