Bookstore

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The Bookstore was the second "lounge" to open in the former location of Dan's Restaurant, at the intersection of the Old Greenville Highway and College Avenue. Taking over the former Tiger Paw Restaurant location, the Bookstore was Clemson's downtown disco for about four years, opening its doors in 1977, with only a modicum of changes to the interior. A raised deejay booth was against the eastern wall of the main space, where booths are now located in TD's, and overlooking a dance floor. Pinball machines were located near the "backdoor" onto College Avenue.

In mid-April 1978, three bartenders at the Bookstore were arrested for selling alcoholic beverages to minors while police officers accompanied by an Alcoholic Beverage Control officer were present. Jimmy Lanford, Bookstore owner, was quoted in The Tiger on April 21 stating that the "raid" appeared to be a "set-up". Said Lanford, "They say they have the power to do that, but there's such a thing as entrapment stating that you can't trap someone into breaking the law." In another incident, a 22-year old clerk at Cook's Grocery was arrested for an alcohol sale to a minor. In all cases, the men were released on their own recognizance to face misdemeanor charges in Clemson city court.

The Bookstore closed in March 1981 after the death of its owner, Manning H. Garren. The Tiger quotes an unnamed Clemson coed in the April 2, 1981 issue, saying "I hear The Bookstore is using their bouncers to throw people in instead of out, now," commenting on a lack of patrons. (Page 10.) An arson attempt damaged the business early Sunday morning, April 12, 1981. (Daugherty, Jim, staff writer, "Arson suspected cause of Bookstore blaze", The Tiger, Thursday 16 April 1981, Volume 74, Number 26, page 1.) The building was remodelled into The Corporation and later Strawberry's Restaurant.

[edit] Trivia

  • The audio system speakers were the old Bose 901s.
  • One night all the urinals in the men's room clogged up, but due to lack of alternatives, everyone kept right on using them. The overflow soon covered the floor, until the carpet outside the door was squishy several feet into the main room.

[edit] Address

The Bookstore
104 Seneca Road
Clemson, South Carolina 29631

[edit] External Links

1977 Photo

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