Blog: Pasadena's Archives Bookshop Moving to Fuller Seminary

Fuller Theological Seminary and the Archives Bookshop announced Monday the completion of an agreement that will bring Archives Bookshop to Fuller-owned property on Oakland Avenue.

The Archives Bookshop, an independent, theological bookseller that carries over 75,000 new and used theological books, has been a decades-long fixture on Pasadena’s Washington Boulevard. Under the agreement, the Archives Bookshop will close its location on Washington Blvd, and move its operations to the site of Fuller Seminary’s current bookstore and coffee shop located on 509 E. Walnut Street. The property is owned by Fuller Theological Seminary and will be leased to the Archives Bookshop.

“We are pleased to begin this new relationship with the Archives Bookshop,” said Fuller’s Vice President for Finance, John Ward. “The Archives is a well-respected theological bookseller with an enormous variety of books and Bibles. We are excited and grateful to have a part in making these theological resources available to our students, and to the Pasadena community.”

The current bookstore at Fuller has been operated by Cokesbury since July of 2011. On November 5, the United Methodist Publishing House, which owns Cokesbury, announced that it would be closing all of its Cokesbury retail stores and investing in other channels, including its online store. Cokesbury plans to operate Fuller’s bookstore through April 27, 2013.

Under the new agreement, the Archives Bookshop will continue its existing business from the new location. Bookshop owner and Fuller alumnus John Wipf will also operate the Coffee By The Books coffee shop located at the back of the property.

“I am excited for this new relationship with Fuller Seminary,” said Wipf. “It is a great location and as a Fuller alum, it feels like a natural fit. We will continue to serve our customers, the city of Pasadena, and the Fuller community.” Wipf said.

The Archives Bookshop will not be bringing its entire inventory to the new location. It will be selling books at vigorously discounted prices at the Washington Boulevard location, until it begins operation at the Fuller property.

In addition to its usual inventory, Archives will begin stocking a large assortment of books for Fuller students.

Wipf said he hopes to make the move to the new location starting in May 2013.

ABOUT ARCHIVES 

Located in Pasadena, California, the Archives Bookshop is an independent, theological bookseller that carries over 75,000 new and used theological books in our store. Over 15,000 of these titles are listed on the website.

The Archives Bookshop buys and sells books in religious studies, history, psychology, philosophy, theology and biblical studies. Though it specializes in biblical studies and theology, it also buys and sells academic books in practically every religious discipline. It also does consultations in library building, and purchasing of whole libraries.