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"Over the years, Haslam's has been a Mecca for
the city's book lovers and writers."
- St. Petersburg Times.
"Haslam's, one of Florida's True
Treasures"
- Tampa Tribune.
Over 60 years ago, John and Mary Haslam started a small
used book and magazine store in St. Petersburg. Over the years it grew to
be Florida's largest new & used book store. Now, in our third
generation, we are starting a second location... in cyberspace. After all,
if we are going to have a second location, why not put it everywhere?
Haslam's was started in 1933 in the Depression by John
and Mary Haslam,
both avid readers, to provide other readers with used magazines and books
at bargain prices.
After World War II they were joined by the second
generation, Charles and Elizabeth
 
and the business began to expand. In response to
customers' requests, new technical books were added, then Bibles and
religious books and finally a complete line of trade books and a large
section for children. The business has moved four times to accommodate the
growing number of volumes and customers, and today covers 30,000 square
feet with over 300,000 books.
To promote books and reading, Charles had a television
program on WEDU, the local PBS station, for 15 years called "The
Wonderful World of Books,"
Charles Haslam, the Bookman, with Bill Coletti, the Bookreader.
and reviewed books on WSUN radio for eight years. He
appeared as a regular guest on WTOG-TV. Elizabeth operated book fairs at
local schools for 25 years and now conducts "field trip" tours
of Florida's largest book store for elementary classes.
Elizabeth shows kids how a book is made and reads a story.
Both have been active in the American Bookseller's
Association (Charles was president from 1978 - 1980). They have taught in
Bookseller Schools and written chapters in "The Manual of
Bookselling." Both are published authors.
In 1973, the third
generation came into the business: daughter Suzanne (who also authored a
chapter in the "Manual on Bookselling") and husband Ray Hinst
(history, classics & military expert).
Our "book
memory" has variety as well as length.
We are located at 2025 Central Avenue in St.
Petersburg, FL 33713.
If you're are coming south on interstate 275, take exit
23B (old 11)
and go straight through the traffic light at the bottom of the ramp. Now
you're on 20th Street and the avenues you pass are counting down - 4th,
3rd, 2nd, 1st. Central Avenue is the "0 Avenue". Turn right on
Central and our store is down about a half of a block on the right.
If you are coming north on 275, take exit 23A (old 10). Turn right
on 9th Street and right again on Central Avenue. Our store will be down
about one mile on the right.
If you are traveling on US 19, pray. In St. Petersburg, US
19 is also 34th Street. Turn east on Central Avenue. Our store will be
down about a mile and a half on the left.
We are CLOSING for a while
In the interest of Public Safety
Starting Sunday, March 22nd.
Click Here for Past Events
Home |
Store History &
Location | Doom Level |
Autographings
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