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.
