tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post8070946933871996150..comments2024-01-24T06:50:01.683-06:00Comments on Samizdat Blog: Death of a BooksellerArchambeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17273511539172747550noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-12631533367063900352017-05-01T16:17:29.578-05:002017-05-01T16:17:29.578-05:00I remember those big remainder pallets, and how th...I remember those big remainder pallets, and how they would be split up between Ron's store and yours (which I never did get to: when I lived in the city, Zion seemed to be in another continent—now that I live on the north shore, I see things differently). I'm sure the arrangement was more complex, but I remember Ron's typically gruff description of it: "gun books to them, gay books to us." A kernel of truth in that, I suppose.Archambeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17273511539172747550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-75923251643169300652017-05-01T14:40:45.588-05:002017-05-01T14:40:45.588-05:00I was really sorry to read of Ron's passing.
I...I was really sorry to read of Ron's passing.<br />I owned a remainder/hurt bookstore called Giant Book Warehouse in Zion, Ill., from 1987-2000. <br />I used to sell books to Ron. In the early day, Colin, who was then a teenager, used to come up to Zion with his dad.<br />Ron was able to sell books at Aspidistra that would never sell in Zion, so the buying arrangement we worked out was mutually beneficial for both of us.<br />Over the years, I got to know Ron pretty well. He was one of the few people I did business with during those years who I actually considered to be a friend, as well.<br />He usually came up to the store after regular retail hours. I used to order pizza and pick up some beer. He was smart, witty and irreverent. We had a lot of laughs and a lot of great conversations over the years.<br />Unfortunately, both our stores closed at approximately the same time, and we lost contact.<br />I offer my most sincere condolences to his family. Ron was definitely a unique individual. R.I.P. my friend. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-65593393132066013172016-08-06T20:20:42.428-05:002016-08-06T20:20:42.428-05:00I first trudged into Aspidistra on a bright, bitte...I first trudged into Aspidistra on a bright, bitter January afternoon in the early 90's a month after moving to town; I remember departing with a hard copy of 'City of Night' by Rechy tucked under my arm, thrilled to pick up a seedy, urban novel but also elated to find a big, musty bookstore that seemed a suitable ersatz for the one I had left behind in my former home back east. I visited many times thereafter and have many of my finds still in my collection, orange Aspidistra price stickers intact. Aspidistra was a friend to me when I had none in this town.<br /><br />Having gone to the Newberry Library Book fair last week, Ive been in a nostalgic mood lately, and mourn all the lost bookstores. It comforted me to find this blog and know that Ron had a good, long life and that you still carry his spirit onward. Thank you for your delightful, colorful, and touching tribute. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-45410520646080379772016-01-30T15:03:19.692-06:002016-01-30T15:03:19.692-06:00Bob, great piece--and I loved the entire region as...Bob, great piece--and I loved the entire region as there were books all around the Clark/Lincoln region--but the boys at the Aspidistra--we called them "Book Hawks" or Book Scouts" were crazy (as I was because I did somewhat the same thing) going to all books sales and going crazy--working the room and piling stacks to the sky--I never knew Ron and sad that he's gone--but remember the crew there and wondered how they made ends meet, up against Powells and the Hyde Park bookstores--<br />lordjim48https://www.blogger.com/profile/09561495510237856262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-43805879359688248062016-01-29T18:46:31.900-06:002016-01-29T18:46:31.900-06:00Thank you, Bob. This is beautiful.
I appreciate y...Thank you, Bob. This is beautiful. <br />I appreciate your coming yesterday as we attempted as best we could to honor Ron and all that he was to all of us.<br />KathleenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-64005893349353932042016-01-29T16:07:59.119-06:002016-01-29T16:07:59.119-06:00Thank you for this text.Thank you for this text.uair01https://www.blogger.com/profile/14538242264866015155noreply@blogger.com