Hakim's Bookstore

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Hakim's Bookstore, established in 1959 as Hakim's House of Knowledge Bookstore, is the first and oldest Black-owned bookstore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located at 210 S 52nd Street in West Philadelphia. [1]

The store was designated as a Pennsylvania historic landmark in 2023. [1]

History

Hakim's Bookstore was founded by Dawud Hakim. Hakim, a former post office employee, was inspired to share information about Black history after reading 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro by J.A. Rogers (1934). [2] Prior to opening the store, Hakim sold books out his car. [1] [2]

Hakim died in 1997. His daughter, Yvonne Blake, and other family members continued to operate the store. [2]

Hakim's nearly closed in 2014, but was saved following an outpouring of support resulting from a 2015 feature article in The Philadelphia Inquirer . [2]

The physical store closed temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, but continued to sell books through its website. Web sales increased significantly during the Black Lives Matter protests that occurred following the murder of George Floyd. [2]

Hakim's was named a “Champion Black Business” by ESPN in 2021 and was designated as a Pennsylvania historic landmark in 2023. [1] [2] [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Philadelphia's 1st Black-owned bookstore to be historical landmark - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Honoring Hakim's, a West Philadelphia Landmark". Hidden City Philadelphia. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  3. Hazelton, Lynette (2023-09-25). "Hakim's Bookstore, the city's oldest African American bookstore, receives state marker after 64 years in business". /www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2023-09-28.