Oakland bookstore closes permanently due to pandemic uncertaintyhttps://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/Oakland-bookstore-closes-permanently-Wolfman-books-15432612.phpWolfman Books, a small bookstore in downtown Oakland, is the latest business the Bay Area is losing to the pandemic. On Friday, the bookstore announced its impending closure at the end of the month.
"In light of all this uncertainty (and a truly insecure lease) I’ve decided to close our storefront," wrote owner Justin Carder on the store's website. "Wolfman has always been a place to gather in close (such close) proximity to others. It has always been about an open door, and a creaky floor, random encounters, and a free, open public restroom for whoever wants to use it. Ha. Without the possibility of doing events in the space, or of having people really browse safely (or for staff to be in the space) it just doesn’t make sense to try and open up again at this time."
This looks to be a case of the bookstore having nurtured a culture of interaction among customers and store employees that the store can't or is unwilling to adjust to current realities. Looks like there's an underlying issue with the lease on the property as well.
