Printers Inc. Bookstore facts for kids
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| Private subsidiary | |
| Fate | Out of Business |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Jerry Shurtleff (co-founder) |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Headquarters | 310 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 301 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA |
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Number of locations
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2 |
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Area served
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Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Menlo Park, California, United States |
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Key people
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Susan MacDonald and Gerry Masteller (to 1999) Matthew Duran (to 2001) |
| Products |
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Printers Inc. Bookstore (1978–2001) was a special kind of book shop in Palo Alto and Mountain View, California. It was known as an independent bookstore, meaning it was owned locally and not part of a big chain. Many people loved visiting Printers Inc., and it even got a mention in a famous book called The Golden Gate by Vikram Seth!
History of Printers Inc.
In 1978, five friends who used to work at another bookstore called Kepler's Books decided to open their own shop. They named it Printers Inc. Bookstore. Their first store was in Palo Alto, at 310 California Avenue. It was in a building that used to be a thrift shop. Later, they opened a second store in Mountain View at 301 Castro Street.
The bookstore was a very popular spot, especially for students from Stanford University. It was a place where people could meet, read, and relax.
The Printers Inc. Cafe
One of the most exciting things about Printers Inc. was its cafe. The Printers Inc. Cafe was first located right inside the Palo Alto store. This was a new idea back in 1978. Most bookstores didn't have coffee shops inside them.
American author Frances Mayes wrote about this in her book, A Year in the World:
Susan and Kate, with their friend Jeffrey, then opened Printers Inc., a literary bookstore on California Avenue in Palo Alto. They installed a coffee bar/cafe, which was revolutionary. No other bookstore in California, or maybe the United States, had done that in 1978. We were sipping cappuccinos and reading Merwin at Printers long before Starbucks ever pulled an espresso. The bookstore for its whole life was a fulcrum for the entire community and surroundings. Meet me at Printers. Eventually they expanded into an adjacent building for a larger cafe. The reading series was stellar. They opened a second store.
As the cafe became more popular, it moved next door to the Palo Alto bookstore, becoming even bigger.
Challenges and Closing
In the early 1990s, Printers Inc. started facing tough competition. Big chain bookstores like Borders and Barnes & Noble opened many stores. These chains offered discounts and had huge selections. Also, the rise of online shopping, especially with Amazon.com, made it harder for independent bookstores to compete.
Because of these challenges, Printers Inc. announced in December 1998 that it would close. However, the local community loved the bookstore so much that they protested the closing. People wanted to save it! The owners looked for a new partner to keep it open.
In March 1999, Printers Inc. was saved and reopened under new management. But this new management only lasted until 2001. That year, Printers Inc. Bookstore closed its doors for good. Luckily, The Printers Inc. Cafe stayed open because it was managed separately.
Documentary Film
The story of Printers Inc. and other independent bookstores is told in a 2006 documentary film called Indies Under Fire. A documentary is a non-fiction film that tells a true story.
The director, Jacob Bricca, explained why he made the film. He said he felt very sad when Printers Inc. closed. He grew up in Palo Alto and spent many hours reading and hanging out there. He saw how much the community cared about the bookstore. Like many others, he was very upset when it closed.
