Comments on: Shaman Drum Bookshop to Close June 30

By: Susan Pollay

Susan Pollay — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:04:23 +0000

I’ve been a loyal fan of Shaman Drum for my entire life as an adopted Ann Arborite. 25 years ago I was a graduate student and SD was the source of text books, and with a degree in hand, SD became my first stop when looking for books to read on the train or plane. For me it has been a living embodiment of how town & gown actually connect in this college town, and a store that encouraged me not just to read, but also to think. It was an independent bookstore owned by the most independent of men – Karl Pohrt – and I feel enormously proud and fortunate that I have had the pleasure of knowing them both. The store and the man both contributed a great deal to making the State Street area a unique and wonderful place for nearly thirty years and I am grateful to them both.

By: B

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:13:47 +0000

Mark,

If you were not a student at the University, I think that your comment may make a lot of sense. Otherwise, I am curious if you never were required to purchase a book at the Drum while on campus.

Shaman Drum may have been great as an actual bookstore and having been on the lower levels several times, I enjoyed the wide range of literature available. But the upstairs textbook store was entirely based on ripping off students while simultaneously making professors feel as if they need to support local business. Rude employees and ridiculous policies only added insult to injury. Had Shaman Drum never invested in making themselves a textbook resource, I think you would find many more sympathetic students. We are well aware that much of the blame lies on the publishers for their ridiculous markups and new editions. Shaman Drum did little to help the situation, however, and I am not sad to see them go.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:21:45 +0000

I’m sad to see the Shaman Drum trade business go. It is a great place to browse and discover new books. I agree with Brian, though – I couldn’t help but be happy to see the textbook operation close down. The buying experience was horrible (waiting in line for an hour to climb up some stairs, where you couldn’t find anything easily and the staff was overwhelmed by the crowd of humanities folks looking for their books at the only shop in town that carried them.) The prices were also much higher than Amazon – as an undergraduate in the early 2000’s, I regularly saved $300-400 per semester on my textbooks for History classes. I just can’t mourn the passing of such a pain in the neck.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:04:42 +0000

Brian – your assumption IS just that, an assumption.

By: Brian @ MGoBlog

Brian @ MGoBlog — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:14:09 +0000

It’s hard for me to get upset at a store whose business model apparently revolved around getting professors to exclusively list their books at Shaman Drum. Heavy migration of student textbook purchases to the internet implies that I spent my undergraduate years shelling out 50% to 100% more money than I otherwise would have. Like newspapers, the Drum was never a sustainable business without monopoly power, which does not mix well with the internet.

By: Bud Gibson

Bud Gibson — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:04:06 +0000

Non-profit status will be simplified by decoupling the for-profit operation. I was once a very avid book store browser, but I’ve moved almost entirely onto the net now.

By: Heidi Fenz

Heidi Fenz — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:51:13 +0000

Karl,
So very very sad to hear that Shaman Drum will be closing. Of course I remember when you opened…..Shaman Drum accompanied me through high school, college, grad school,when i worked there, travels, and babies—one of the motivating factors for which to come home to Ann Arbor and hang-out downtown, and a strong source of Ann Arbor identity.Shaman Drum also taught me a lot about independence.
I wish you all the best moving on to the next phase, and we will meet again.
Heidi

By: Tor

Tor — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:10:50 +0000

Sorry to hear it. Good luck with the Lit Arts Center.

By: dave-o

dave-o — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:07:22 +0000

Ugh. My wife worked at the Drum when we were in college, and we did our first readings there when we had stories in an anthology together. She and our toddler were just there a few days ago buying books. Such a bummer.

By: Linda Diane Feldt

Linda Diane Feldt — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:59:05 +0000

Oh, I so didn’t want to have this time come. Thanks for everything Karl and Diane. I hope the non-profit is a great new adventure, and soon!