Northside bookstore and community fixture Analog Books closed its doors on June 15.
The store, located at 1816 Euclid Ave., was also a hangout spot for students, Berkeley residents and authors alike. Analog differed from larger bookstores with its focus on local publishers and independent feel.
In addition to selling both textbooks and other literature, the store hosted many events, such as book signings and local magazine launches. Employees were mostly students, many of them living in the neighboring student co-ops.
“Analog was a really great place to work,” said UC Berkeley student and former employee of one-and-a-half years Elaina Marshalek. “(It) was a bookstore with a quirky personality.”
Located less than a block away from the campus’s North Gate, many students would wander into the shop with coffee from neighboring cafes simply to spend time flipping through books, Marshalek said, and sometimes even visitors from out of town paid special visits to the bookstore.
Nima Shokat, former owner of Analog, could not be reached for comment. Mori Herscowitz, the property’s landlord, said he is unsure of what will become of the property.
Currently Herscowitz is communicating with a software-programming student group about potentially leasing the property, but said he was sorry to see Analog go.
“(Analog) has been there for a long time — it’s a part of the community, and the trend of independent bookstores dying is unfortunate,” Herscowitz said.
Some customers speculate that Analog suffered the same difficulties as many other struggling local bookstores in recent times.
“I understand why it’s difficult for a store like that to stay open,” said UC Berkeley alumnus and Analog customer Daniel Kronovet. “A lot of times, businesses like a small bookstore provide service to the community that isn’t monetizable.”
Some still remain hopeful the space can continue its literary tradition. Before Analog opened, the property was previously a bookstore named Signal Books. Herscowitz said he is open to leasing to a similar business, but the future of the property remains uncertain.
“If anyone would like to open another bookstore, people are excited to come and work at it,” Marshalek said.
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For 23 years, I’ve gotten my hair cut from Hair-cut Connections, which is right next door to this bookstore. A lot of times, I’d be early for my appointment, so I’d browse through the bookstore. While most of the clerks were friendly, there were times when some of them acted like they could care less if you needed help or not. Many times, I’d want to make a purchase and no one was at the register. A lot of times, they were suppose to be open and the employee was late. Any wonder folks resort to using the internet for purchases. Who wants to feel like you’re being a problem for a business that just doesn’t care if you exist or not. Oh, well, maybe the landlord can put in a mini-Walgreen’s type store. Couldn’t hurt…………..
The last sentence is the saddest one. If a new bookstore opened, people would love to work and browse. Unfortunately, nobody is excited to come and buy books.