For many, the appeal of books is simply irresistible. For Tampa Bay area bibliophiles, there are plenty of places to indulge that craving to read, admire and collect old tomes, but Haslam's Book Store stands out as a special destination. Here's why:
1. Haslam's is a page out of history.
In the midst of the Great Depression, in 1933, avid readers John and Mary Haslam opened a book store to offer customers gently used books and magazines at bargain prices. When the next generation took over, in the late 1940s, Haslam's Book Store was well on its way to becoming the largest independent book store in Florida. Long before the big chain book stores, generations of Tampa Bay area residents shopped Haslam's.2. Customers lose track of time in Haslam's.
Part of Haslam's charm is its atmosphere. Walking down the long aisles of shelves brimming with new and used books, time tends to stand still. It's not uncommon for shoppers to temporarily forget their problems as they wander the 30,000-square-foot store admiring more than 300,000 titles. An adopted alley cat may scamper by at any given moment, and more than one customer has claimed to see a ghost looking for something to read. 3. It's hard to walk out of Haslam's empty-handed.
Haslam's started out with an inventory consisting mainly of used magazines and literature. As the store began to expand following World War II, nonfiction and technical books were added at the request of customers. Today, the store covers a wide variety of subjects, with special sections on history, religion and spirituality, travel and even writers' reference books. Elizabeth Haslam, who passed away in 2007, created the children's section and sponsored book fairs in area schools for many years. With such an impressive selection, it's a challenge to leave without picking up something to read. 4. Haslam's frequently hosts author signings.
As a Tampa Bay area institution, Haslam's attracts both local and national figures and hosts many author events and signings. A schedule lists upcoming events.5. Haslam's stills sells books at bargain prices.
John and Mary Haslam set out to offer customers gently used books and magazines at bargain prices, and that tradition continues today. A simple concept that never yielded to the kind of greed that often accompanies success, three generations of the Haslam family have upheld the founders' principles by making quality reading books accessible to the general public at affordable prices. 6. Haslam's is a page out of history.
In the midst of the Great Depression, in 1933, avid readers John and Mary Haslam opened a book store to offer customers gently used books and magazines at bargain prices. When the next generation took over, in the late 1940s, Haslam's Book Store was well on its way to becoming the largest independent book store in Florida. Long before the big chain book stores, generations of Tampa Bay area residents shopped Haslam's.7. Haslam's frequently hosts author signings.
As a Tampa Bay area institution, Haslam's attracts both local and national figures and hosts many author events and signings. A schedule lists upcoming events.8. Haslam's is a page out of history.
In the midst of the Great Depression, in 1933, avid readers John and Mary Haslam opened a book store to offer customers gently used books and magazines at bargain prices. When the next generation took over, in the late 1940s,
Haslam's Book Store was well on its way to becoming the largest independent book store in Florida. Long before the big chain book stores, generations of Tampa Bay area residents shopped Haslam's.
9. Haslam's frequently hosts author signings.
As a Tampa Bay area institution, Haslam's attracts both local and national figures and hosts many author events and signings. A
schedule lists upcoming events.
10. Haslam's is a page out of history.
In the midst of the Great Depression, in 1933, avid readers John and Mary Haslam opened a book store to offer customers gently used books and magazines at bargain prices. When the next generation took over, in the late 1940s,
Haslam's Book Store was well on its way to becoming the largest independent book store in Florida. Long before the big chain book stores, generations of Tampa Bay area residents shopped Haslam's.
11. Haslam's frequently hosts author signings.
As a Tampa Bay area institution, Haslam's attracts both local and national figures and hosts many author events and signings. A
schedule lists upcoming events.
