The Closing of Karibu Books (Maryland)
It came to my attention, via email a week ago that the chain of Maryland-based bookstores known as Karibu Books will be closing. It saddened me to hear of this as I had a great event at Karibu Books-Security Square Mall (in Baltimore), back in December 2006 for Check the Rhyme: An Anthology of Female Poets & Emcees with several contributors. The managers at the store took care of us very well, and we were widely supported at the event by folks in the area just passing through the mall, fellow poets, and old friends. Many, many great authors have passed through Karibu Books and I know that they will be missed within the literary community and the greater community. Hopefully, they are transitioning into something else great that will serve their interests. Here is the letter to supporters, which was posted on Karibu's website:
January 22, 2008
Dear Karibu Customers,
After 15 years of service within the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Karibu Books, a Black bookstore chain will be closing its doors. We sincerely thank each and every one of you for your patronage and support. We are optimistic that our mission to empower and educate through a comprehensive selection of books by and about people of African descent will continue to resonate within the communities we proudly served.
Since 1993, we have been blessed to help thousands of local, regional and national authors share their incredible stories of faith, hope, love, peace, politics and race. We can’t begin to express our gratitude for the countless authors who have graced our six stores and enriched our customers’ lives.
We will be closing our Security Square (Baltimore, MD) and Forestville locations on Sunday, January 27. The remaining locations, Bowie Town Center, The Mall at Prince Georges and Iverson Mall will close on Sunday, February 10. Our Pentagon City store is already closed.
Effective immediately, all inventory at all locations will be 50% off. All fixtures will also be available for purchase on February 10. See individual store managers for more information.
Again, we respectfully thank you for your loyalty, laughter and love.
Sincerely,
Simba Sana
CEO
Karibu Books
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