The storied streets of Broadway are slated for change as Antiquarian Book Mart, A Broadway mainstay for over five decades, is set to permanently shut its doors in May 2024. According to a report by KSAT, owner Bob Kellel has sold the land including the bookstore, the adjacent Half Price Books, and a parking lot to local developer Glenn Huddleston of Harper/Huddleston Inc. The sale's terms have remained undisclosed, but the parcels hold a combined value of roughly $1.8 million, as per the latest tax records. Meanwhile, Half Price Books may soon follow suit; a spokesperson has admitted to lease negotiations with the new owners, hinting at a potential spring closure should talks go south.
These closures come in the wave of urban transformation with the City Council green-lighting GrayStreet Partners' zoning change requests for mixed-use development in the Lower Broadway corridor and Government Hill neighborhood. According to the San Antonio Business Journal, GrayStreet's plans include creating the "BESA District," an ambitious 15-acre project, and developing land formerly occupied by the Pig Stand restaurant into a mixed-use space potentially featuring a hotel exceeding 35 feet in height. With these sweeping changes aiming to completely revitalize the area, some community hallmarks are in jeopardy of being lost forever.
Although new developments promise economic growth and urban renewal, Bob Kellel recalls the significance of independent booksellers beyond the mere transaction. "Having a nice bookstore is always nice for the community because the people that frequent these places can enjoy reading and they can keep themselves entertained when they’re not with their friends or family, in a positive way," Kellel told the Business Journal. Antique bookstores like his offer a unique fabric to the city's cultural tapestry, stretching back generations.
The future of Broadway and its environs may seem focused on progress, with construction for BESA District's phase 1 aimed to kick off in the third quarter of 2024, as Kevin Covey, GrayStreet's Managing Partner, stated in an October meeting with the Government Hill Neighborhood Alliance. But it is hard to misjudge the impact of losing local institutions that have served to softly anchor communities in a shared past. As these stores prepare to close, questions linger over the balance between growth and preservation—of spaces that not only sell books but also foster connections.
