Local

Vroman’s and Book Soup find a new owner after two-year search

Pasadena native Robert Hoffman and his family say they plan to preserve the independent bookstores’ community roots, staff and character.

Image credit: Vanhoozen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; archival January 2022 photograph of Vroman’s Bookstore

Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena and Book Soup in West Hollywood have a new owner after a two-year search, the Los Angeles Times reported September 25. Robert Hoffman, a Pasadena native and longtime public-policy executive, acquired the businesses from Joel Sheldon, whose family had overseen Vroman’s for more than a century.

What it means locally

Hoffman and his family said they intend to preserve the stores’ local identities. Vroman’s flagship on Colorado Boulevard will remain open under a long-term lease, while Book Soup said its staff and shelves will stay in place. Vroman’s was founded in 1894 and Book Soup in 1975; Sheldon bought Book Soup from founder Glenn Goldman’s estate in 2009. The terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Full report and further details: Read original report →