DuBois Book Store Closes Its Doors Permanently
Family quiet on reasons for closing store after 75 years in business
Photos
With little explanation, the DuBois Book Store at 332 S. Lincoln St. closed its doors permanently Tuesday after 75 years in business selling books and textbooks across from Kent State University.
An employee at the store confirmed the closing and said they were told Tuesday afternoon the store would close for good at 5 p.m.
A message posted at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday on the store's Facebook page appeared to be the only public acknowledgement of the closing today. It read: "After almost 75 years of business, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve the students, faculty and staff of Kent State University and the community of Kent. Thank you for your patronage."
A recorded message that plays when calling the store states, "I'm sorry, we're closed." Its website no longer loads.
Members of the DuBois family did not respond to requests for comment.
Just last week a post on the store's Facebook page said DuBois would begin taking reservations for its Books-In-A-Flash program in mid-July for pick-up beginning Aug. 22.
Last month, DuBois won first place in the Best Bookstore category for the Fox 8 Akron-Canton Hot List. DuBois used its Twitter and Facebook pages to encourage fans to vote for the store.
The business was founded in 1936 when then Hiram College professor J. Harold DuBois began selling textbooks from his truck. The bookstore has remained in the family.
As recently as June 22, store employees posted on its Facebook page reminding students at Theodore Roosevelt High School they could buy the books on their summer reading list there.
The late Fred and Marilyn DuBois were posthumously honored by the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce in November with the W.W. Reed Kent Medal for Public Service, which is the chamber's highest award and was bestowed on the couple during its centennial year.
Look for updates to this story here on Kent Patch.
Nicole Hennessy
8:11 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
That would be a horrible way to find out you no longer have a job!
Erika Pfeiffer
9:25 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
I'm crushed! As a tiny child I used to love going there to buy books...they had a small children's book section in the downstairs. As a college student I bought most of my texts there, and got many KSU and sorority items upstairs. Dubois and their little monster icon were a Kent institution!!!!
Brandon Tidd
10:06 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wow, DuBois is an institution in Kent! First the Robinhood, and now this. I feel like my college experience is evaporating before my eyes, and I only graduated six years ago! Best wishes to the entire DuBois family... I know they are avid Patch readers.
Bonefishbill
9:00 pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Well said Brandon!
Carol Wells
10:30 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
So sad to read of this closing! As a KSU grandparent, I loved shopping at DuBois and found lots of hidden treasures there. I will definitely miss this shopping landmark.
T
9:58 am on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
It hardly seems fair to declare that the DuBois family is more interested in money, while supporting the foundation that was established in the family name, which has done and currently does many wonderful things in the community and to support the community. The DuBois family has not spoken on the reasons for this closure so it's probably best not to assume at what those reasons are since most of the readership probably doesn't know (I do not know either). I wish the employees of DuBois the best and hope they will find other employment soon and I wish the DuBois Foundation continued success.
Ariel Sawyer
1:07 pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
My first job was working there and it gave me great training for all my future jobs. I was there 1982-1990 and most of my family worked there too at one time or another. Sad to see it go!
Ariel (Andrews) Sawyer
Karen Smith
12:19 pm on Saturday, July 2, 2011
I am shocked and saddened to learn of DuBois closing! Thank you, DuBois, for always being kind, helpful, and supportive! Best wishes to all. Karen and the Departent of Geology, KSU.
Marc Schlegel
6:50 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I like looking at the Dubois site for Christmas gift ideas my family. They normally buy sweatshirts and T-shirts from them so I just found out NOW that it is closed. What a shame. First Adriatico's Pizza and now Dubois. Next thing you know, somebody will tell me that Screwy Louie's is closed.
Matt Fredmonsky
7:29 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Marc, I hope you're joking about Screwy Louie's. That closed a while ago, became several different bars and was then demolished either last year or late 2009.
Jon Ridinger
10:37 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wow Screwy Louie's...there's a name I haven't heard in awhile...
L.R. Cline
5:45 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
As a member of the class of 'KSU 72', this came as a suprise. This closing seems rather sudden, almost unfair on such VERY SHORT notice. I think the loyal employees of DuBois deserve better than this. I purchased most of my text books from DuBois and the rest from the old University Book Store close to where the old ROTC building once stood. I also ordered my KSU class ring through DuBois which I still wear today, even as I type this. I've wanted to get back to DuBois to get a few souvenirs, but it's too late. So much for procrastination