Bonnett’s Book Store (502 E. 5th Street) was opened in the 1930’s, which probably makes it the oldest business in The Oregon District. I dropped by recently to learn more about the store’s history from Kevin Bonnett.
“My grandfather made the money he used to start this store by writing crime stories. They were published in pulp magazines like Black Mask and Thrilling Detective. We found a letter he wrote saying that he had sold 5 stories for $50 each, so maybe that was what he used to start this store.”
“The original name of the store was Bonnett’s Back Issue Magazines. Pulp magazines often had long stories told in installments. So when you finished reading an installment you could sell your used magazine to my grandfather and buy one with the next installment of the story you were reading.”
“Most of the toys you see in the store date back to my father’s time. A customer who was moving out of town gave my Dad a toy to remember him by, and he placed it on a shelf in the store. My Dad thought that toy looked lonely and added a few. Then other customers started giving toys to the store and here we are. People are constantly asking about buying some of the toys, but they aren’t for sale. They’re part of the store’s history.”
