Our History
Bookstore1Sarasota first opened our doors on March 1, 2011. Over the years we have held a lot of events. Most took place at the bookstore. Some took place at other locations, often in partnership with another organization.
We hope you enjoy taking a trip down memory lane.
PS: Click on the images to see the whole photo and caption.
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We start with images from 2011, including our Grand Opening party.
We assembled our first staff in early 2011.
In November she spoke at West Coast Black Theatre Troupe
We assembled our first staff in early 2011.
2012
The late JD McClatchy was a poet and librettist
Raeburn is Penguin's translator of Ovid.
2013
Poet Laureate William Merwin and award-winning poet Nye led PoetryLife 2013.
Ransom Riggs and Tahereh Mafi are both young adult authors.
Poet Laureate William Merwin and award-winning poet Nye led PoetryLife 2013.
2014
With Elsie Souza
Congressman Crist was in town to promote his new book as well as his campaign.
2015
Staff on hand just before Mike Huckabee's signing.
Diane is our Penguin rep and we love when she visits.
Staff on hand just before Mike Huckabee's signing.
2016
On stage at Florida Studio Theatre, Kate Alexander of FST, poet Richard Blanco, poet Tracy K Smith and Georgia Court
Robert Pinsky brought selected Favorite Poem Readers for a reading at Florida Studio Theatre.
On stage at Florida Studio Theatre, Kate Alexander of FST, poet Richard Blanco, poet Tracy K Smith and Georgia Court
2017
Last day in the old location.
The bookstore moved to a larger space in 2017 at the corner of Palm and Main.
Last day in the old location.
2018
Featured PoetryLife poets in 2018
Presented her newest illustrated book. She is the original illustrator of Harry Potter.
Featured PoetryLife poets in 2018
2019
Guisewite, the cartoonist who made "Cathy" famous did a reading of her new book with her mother.
PoetryLife 2019 featured poets Terrance Hayes and British Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. They were joined by musician Bill Buchman.
Guisewite, the cartoonist who made "Cathy" famous did a reading of her new book with her mother.
2020
Obama inaugural poet Richard Blanco was our guest for PoetryLife 2020 in February. Here he is with Andrea Ginsky and Elsie Souza.
The staff takes a break after preparing books for Reggie Williams' signature. He would lauch Resilient by Nature on September 4.
Manager James Mammone wraps gifts on Christmas Eve.
Obama inaugural poet Richard Blanco was our guest for PoetryLife 2020 in February. Here he is with Andrea Ginsky and Elsie Souza.
2021
Our poets were Carolyn Forché, Padraig Ó Tuama in conversation with Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Our former location at 12 S. Palm Ave.
Anne Arsenault's 90th birthday party.
Our poets were Carolyn Forché, Padraig Ó Tuama in conversation with Charlayne Hunter-Gault
2022
The last day at our Palm Avenue location.
Memoirist Julie Metz with Bryn and Georgia.
The last day at our Palm Avenue location.
2023
Hermitage Fellow Kristen Renee Miller
Live radio theater in the loft.
Ren, Elsie and Bryn on Christmas Eve
Hermitage Fellow Kristen Renee Miller
2024
Bryn is interviewed about banned books.
Rose Styron, poet, journalist, and human rights activist.
James, Doug, Tony and Bryn on Christmas Eve.
Bryn is interviewed about banned books.