In an exploration of Ann Arbor’s robust and diverse literary scene, The Michigan Daily’s Business beat spoke with seven downtown bookstores. Each article in ‘The literary culture of downtown Ann Arbor’ project aims to capture each store’s unique offerings and contribution to the community. Read the other articles here.
Amid near constant construction within the city of Ann Arbor, West Side Book Shop has remained steadfast in its original location on 113 W. Liberty St. for decades. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, West Side Book Shop is the oldest operating bookstore in Ann Arbor and continues to be a place to find a new read among its selection of used, rare and antiquarian books.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Jay Platt, West Side Book Shop founder and owner, said he was inspired to open a bookstore after visiting one in New York City.
“(I) somehow got drawn into the book business by a friend who took me into a used bookshop in New York City,” Platt said. “I remember he asked for a particular book way up in the stacks, and (a staff member ) knew right where it was. How did he know that with these thousands of books? It was kind of like turning on a light bulb. I said, ‘That’s what I want to do.’”
West Side Book Shop occupies the John Haarer Building, named after late 19th-century photographer John Haarer who set up a photography studio in that space. The Haarer family later expanded the studio to include a book and stationery store, which continued operating until the city of Ann Arbor purchased the building in 1964. In the late 1970s, Joseph and Carolyn Arcure bought the building from the city, and Platt found a home for West Side Book Shop on the first floor soon after.
In light of the rise in technology use over the past 50 years, Platt said he believes it is important to have physical bookstores despite the presence of the internet.
“(The) internet has changed (things) quite a bit,” Platt said. “I still believe in open book shops where people come in and actually feel and see the book, handle it and just browse.”
Art & Design junior Sophia Confer visited West Side Book Shop for the first time earlier this year. Confer told The Daily she was showing a friend around downtown when they saw the storefront and decided to go in.
“We just popped in because we were looking for old car magazines for her partner,” Confer said. “They just have a lovely collection of vintage and older literature predating our parents’ age. So we were just completely fascinated by the pure amount of stuff they have in that little shop.”
Karen Alvarez is an Ann Arbor resident and serves on the board of the Ann Arbor Book Society, a local organization that focuses on documenting the city’s literary scene. In an email to The Daily, Alvarez wrote she first visited the store during a weekend trip to Ann Arbor, prior to moving here in 2017.
“I love to visit bookstores wherever I travel, and friends who knew the city told me I would love (West Side Book Shop),” Alvarez wrote. “I got warm fuzzies as soon as I saw its old-world exterior. Walking through the shop felt like going on an adventure, with something interesting to see wherever I turned to look. I was surprised and delighted to see many non-book items like maps and art prints.”
Alvarez wrote she believes the bookstore holds a special place in Ann Arbor’s bookstore scene due to its unique charm and storied history.
“Each bookshop in A2 has its own unique personality and a place in the city’s charm and culture,” Alvarez wrote. “Wandering through WSB feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket woven from thousands of interesting stories.”
Platt said he will continue running West Side Book Shop for the foreseeable future.
“I have been here (for) 50 years, and I plan to keep going,” Platt said. “I still enjoy it. Almost every day, I see a book I’ve never seen before, so it’s always kind of interesting. So I plan to be around for a while.”
Daily News Contributor Eilene Koo can be reached at ekoo@umich.edu.
