RICO’s Q! — If you’ve spent any time in Costa Rica, chances are you’ve wandered into a Librería Lehmann (Lehmann Bookstore). And if you haven’t, you’ve probably caught yourself glancing at their big, inviting windows—whether in a mall or the iconic downtown San José location—wondering what treasures might be inside.
But in a few weeks, those familiar doors will close for good. Lehmann Bookstores will be closing its doors permanently.
This Tuesday, the bookstore announced its decision to the public via a post on its Facebook page.
Lehmann is/was Costa Rica’s oldest bookstore since 1896 and was one of San José’s landmark bookstores.
According to management, the economic, technological, and social changes of recent decades have irreversibly transformed consumer habits, educational models, and the dynamics of the publishing market, making the business’s continued operation unsustainable.
“Today, the time has come to close this chapter of our history. We are closing our doors, but the values that inspired us from day one remain: a love for books, knowledge, and education,” the company stated in its farewell message.
As part of the closure, the bookstore will begin a complete liquidation sale with discounts of up to 70% on a wide selection of titles. Some copies have been reserved for donation programs and cultural projects, so that their contribution to the country’s education transcends the closure of their premises.