Vroman’s Bookstore, the historic independent bookseller located in the heart of Pasadena’s Playhouse Village, has kicked off its annual summer sale, offering deep discounts in a continued celebration of community resilience and loyalty.
The sale runs Saturday, July 26 through August 3 and is located upstairs in the Vroman’s Event Space. Shoppers can expect sticker prices slashed up to 75% off, plus an additional 40% off at the register. According to Vroman’s, all sales are final, and the discounts may not be combined with other offers.
Vroman’s, founded in 1894, is Southern California’s oldest and largest independent bookstore. The business faced severe hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a viral plea to the community in late 2020. “Friends, the past few months have been the most difficult in our company’s 126-year history and Vroman’s needs your help to stay open,” read a post on the bookstore’s social media pages at the time.
The response from the Pasadena community and beyond was overwhelming. Longtime customers placed online orders in droves, waited in lines outside the store, and even launched crowdfunding campaigns to keep the bookstore alive. “In all [of] my [32] years there, I had never seen anything like it in my life,” bookseller Steven Ross said in a 2021 interview.
The bookstore’s survival was not only a testament to loyal customers but also to Vroman’s own creative adaptations. The store pivoted to curbside pickup, online sales, and a strong social media presence. In a 2021 interview, CEO Julia Cowlishaw described the experience as both overwhelming and moving: “We were especially moved by hearing stories of how Vroman’s impacted individual lives and how families had shopped with us for generations.”
The Summer Sale offers another chance for patrons to support the institution that many credit as an essential piece of Pasadena’s cultural fabric. Located near the iconic Urth Caffe, the Pasadena Playhouse, and several locally owned restaurants, Vroman’s has remained a gathering place in the evolving Playhouse Village.
Founded by Adam Clark Vroman, the bookstore began as an act of love and a leap of faith. After moving to Pasadena in the 1890s hoping the warm climate would heal his ailing wife Esther — who later passed — Vroman sold his personal book collection and used the proceeds to open the store. A lifelong philanthropist, he later donated to museums and libraries and famously supported competitors, even loaning money to help start another bookstore.
Vroman’s has received numerous awards over the years, including Publishers Weekly’s “Bookseller of the Year” and “Best Bookstore in San Gabriel Valley.” It has been featured in TV shows and films like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Modern Family, and Parks & Recreation.
Beyond books, the store offers curated sections for jewelry, stationery, gifts, and even has an in-store bar, 1894, known for its literary-themed cocktails and tasting events.
Despite the uncertainty of the retail landscape and recent real estate developments in the area, Vroman’s employees remain hopeful.
For those looking to browse discounted titles while supporting a community cornerstone, the Vroman’s Summer Sale may be more than just a chance to save — it’s a chance to keep a local legacy alive.
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