Death spiral in downtown San Francisco continues as independent bookstores close

Downtown San Francisco could lose another cherished small business as the Alexander Book Company looks to close, its website says.

The owners of the 32-year-old bookstore on Second Street wrote in a message posted on the store’s website: “Alexander’s book company did a great job, but we finally got to the final chapter.”

The message also stated that all books are now in stock at a 25% discount. While no closing date was given, some online commentators claimed that Alexander would close at the end of next month. If so, the closure will be especially bittersweet as April 30th is Independent Bookstore Day.

The brick-walled, three-story Alexander Book Company, perhaps more so than most booksellers, has always been primarily office-oriented, open Monday through Friday and closed on weekends. Since books have always been a trusted gift among colleagues and professional acquaintances, the store has been known to be a brisk business during the holidays.

The Standard has reached out to the Alexander Book Company for comment.