Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 15:21:14 -0400 From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at mail.press.jhu.edu> To: <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net> Subject: [WSFA] Olssons Georgetown Closing Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net> I apoligize for the length, but thought the bookish wouldn't mind (from = the Olssons email service): After 26 years at our familiar Wisconsin Avenue location, the Georgetown = branch of Olsson's will close at the end of June 2002. We have unfortunatel= y lost our lease and were unable to find another suitable location in = Georgetown. On behalf of John Olsson and our staff, we would like to thank = our many loyal customers who have shopped with us throughout the years. It = has been an honor to serve the Georgetown community, and we look forward = to continuing the relationship with our customers at our remaining eight = locations. Although we are closing the Georgetown store, in the past eight months we = have opened two new locations--in Rosslyn, Virginia, just across the Key = Bridge from Georgetown--and at Reagan National Airport. We also continue = to look for opportunities to expand in the future. ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Olsson's was founded in 1972 at the corner of 19th & L Streets, NW, by = native Washingtonian John Olsson as Record & Tape Ltd., and, a few years = later, the Book Annex was added. In 1976, the Georgetown store at 1239 = Wisconsin Ave. was opened--the first Olsson's location to combine books = and music under one roof. Over the years, the Georgetown store welcomed = many residents, tourists, diplomats and heads of state. Both book and = music departments were well known for their extensive selections--in = history, regional studies, politics, economics and biography, and in = classical and opera, rock, jazz and world music. A large number of talented and dedicated staff have worked in the store = throughout the years. Senior buyer Jim Tenney, former owner of the Savile = Bookstore in Georgetown, is a nationally recognized authority in the book = industry, with a unique eye for recognizing new and important works and = authors--and the ability to convey his knowledge and enthusiasm to = customers. In our classical music department, Ted Richards has become a = locally noted authority on recordings past and present, specializing in = opera and vocal selections. Former managers include Robin Diener and Terri = Mertz who left us in 1985 to establish Chapters, which has set a standard = in literary independent bookselling. Many other Olsson's-Georgetown = "alumni" have gone on to careers in the music industry and publishing, as = well as library science, journalism, academia, and more. Olsson's is now celebrating its 30th anniversary as Washington DC's oldest = independent book and music stores. We look forward to serving the = Washington community from our eight remaining locations at Dupont Circle, = Metro Center, and The Lansburgh in D.C.; Bethesda, Maryland; and, in = Northern Virginia, Rosslyn, Arlington Courthouse, Old Town Alexandria, and = Reagan National Airport--and on the Web at www.olssons.com. ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ CLOSE-OUT SALE: GEORGETOWN LOCATION ONLY Starting May 28, 2002: Everything in the Georgetown store is 25%+ OFF regular store price = (in-store stock items only; no transfers; all sales final).