Thrive
Haslam’s owners break their six-year silence
Ray and Suzanne Haslam Hinst are discouraging residents from attending an unauthorized ‘pop up’ concert.
The owners of St. Petersburg’s iconic Haslam’s Book Store have spoken publicly for the first time in six years.
In a statement sent exclusively to the St. Pete Catalyst, Ray Hinst and Suzanne Haslam Hinst addressed the “parking lot concert” announced for Saturday night by artist Filipe Bergson.
We are grateful that so many people still love Haslam’s.
A concert advertised for Saturday night, August 29th, 2026, in our parking lot was not planned or authorized by our family. The organizer has not asked us for permission and has no connection to the store. The lot is private property and is not open for a public event.
There will be no concert on this property. Please do not enter the parking lot. Anyone on the property without permission will be asked to leave.
We ask people who care about Haslam’s not to put themselves or this property at risk.
Sincerely,
The Owners
Haslam’s Book Store Inc
Bergson said he was attempting to get the Hinsts’ attention by selling unauthorized Haslam’s merchandise outside the store, and by scheduling Saturday’s “pop up” concert with local musicians.
The Haslam family opened its first store in 1933; it’s been at the Central Avenue location since 1964.
Haslam’s Book Store closed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and has not re-opened. The couple have not indicated if and when the business will resume.
Haslam’s signage was painted over Sept. 11, 2025. Photo by Jim Swallow.
Sarah Bedell
August 29, 2026at10:40 am
Haslam’s will always hold such a special place in our family’s heart.
When my children were little, we made a monthly trip to Haslam’s, and some of my sweetest memories are wrapped up in those visits. There was a time when money was a little tight, but somehow we always found a way to make room for our monthly “book shopping spree.” Books were something we never wanted to say no to, and Haslam’s made those trips feel like such a treat.
They got to know our son, Ozzy, and his absolutely insatiable appetite for books. He could wander those aisles forever, and I still remember how much the employees seemed to enjoy seeing this little boy so completely in love with reading.
And while her big brother searched for his next stack of books, his little sister was busy falling in love with the beautiful bookstore kitty. Her lifelong obsession with cats truly began at Haslam’s. For her, going to the bookstore was just as much about seeing the kitties as it was about the books.
It’s funny how a place can become woven into the story of your family without you even realizing it at the time. Haslam’s wasn’t simply a bookstore to us. It was part of their childhood, part of our family rhythm, and the backdrop to so many simple, beautiful moments together.
Those sweet memories of Haslam’s will forever be some of our fondest. ❤️📚🐈
Jeanette Bulatowicz
August 28, 2026at5:59 pm
We do miss Haslam’s very much. .
In fact I ran down there on the last day they were open with my grandkids knowing, or feeling they were going to close for a very long time. It was my way of teaching them the value of Reading..Books.
S. Rose Smith-Hayes
August 28, 2026at9:02 am
Why has Haslam’s not reopened or sold the property???? I loved this place when they were open.
Steve Daubs
August 28, 2026at7:00 am
I’m constantly amused when people try to tell private property owners and private business owners what to do. Of course, it’s none of their business, unless they decide to put their money where their presumptuous mouths are. Then, and only then, do they have any say whatsoever.
Eric Olson
August 28, 2026at10:37 am
I am amused by a previous reply stating that a community has no say in what private property owners do with their property. That’s plainly wrong. Communities—acting through city, county, and state governments—routinely tell private property and business owners what they may do:
Zoning and land-use restrictions
Building, fire, and occupancy codes
Business licenses and operating permits
Noise, signage, parking, and operating-hour ordinances
Health and workplace-safety regulations
Environmental and stormwater rules
Historic-preservation requirements
Property taxes, code enforcement, fines, and even eminent domain
Owning property gives you substantial rights. It has never meant you can do whatever you want regardless of your neighbors or the larger community. You don’t have to buy someone’s property before earning a voice in decisions that affect everyone.
Jenny Williams
August 28, 2026at4:09 pm
I’m amused by your statement of entitlement. It’s their personal property and if the Haslam family doesn’t want to reopen the bookstore well damn it they don’t have to. I absolutely love that bookstore and would love it to reopen but I also respect the fact that it’s not my property or my decision.
Darren Hardy
August 28, 2026at5:50 am
Haslam’s has been a St Pete icon for decades, but their continued refusal to reopen or even respond to the community as to why they refuse to reopen leaves only one conclusion: they don’t care about our community. So why should we care about them?
Beth Reynolds
August 27, 2026at11:18 pm
I used to shop there. I would love to see the store open again.
I know it’s a private property, but it’s such an iconic business and I wish the owners would give the city some answers.
Cheryl Greenwood
August 27, 2026at6:00 pm
The Hinsts’t family is a St Petersburg treasure. Even before graduating SPHS’75, I loved that bookstore, we all did. Always on a quest, I can smell that shop in my sleep.. From check out and kitties, who ruled: business books, how to start a business.,straight to the left up the step, garden, to the left, Faith, the door behind the check out the counter. Charlie….Bergstom? Don’t let us down again.
Daniel Heuser
August 27, 2026at5:13 pm
Filipe Bergson is a scam-ARTIST. I don’t understand why the media continues to give so much attention to what appear to be unrealistic aspirations surrounding Haslam’s by Filipe the Clown. Hawking overpriced T-shirts under the banner of “saving Haslam’s” while soliciting financial support deserves far more scrutiny—particularly regarding where the money goes, how it is used, as these donors were led to believe their purchases or contributions would directly “save Haslam’s”. It was all a hoax.. The Haslam family should not have to endure unwanted pressure or harassment over their private property. Ray and Suzanne deserve to be treated with respect, and their wishes regarding Haslam’s should matter.
Elena Schwartz
August 27, 2026at5:09 pm
So do we or don’t we want a Haslams reboot?