In a nostalgic and bittersweet set of Twitter posts, Shaman Drum Bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan blogged its final day of operation. In the Twitter-sphere at large, tributes poured in all day.
The bookstore had struggled with steep declines in textbook sales and a rough bookselling climate. Owner Karl Pohrt sought support in a February column, but decided to close at the end of the June after selling books for nearly 30 years.
Among the memorable posts, the workers left this tweet (summing up this GalleyCat editor’s expression years ago): “The look on the freshman’s faces (and their parents) was the best part of the school year.” The day’s posts ended with a hip-hop tribute: “Pour a 40 on the ground for us tonight!”