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May 23, 2006
For More Information, Contact:
Paige Schoknecht at (650) 688-6384
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Kepler’s Books and Magazines as the 11th Senate District’s Small Business of the Year. Kepler’s will be honored at a luncheon in Sacramento sponsored by the California Small Business Association later this month.
Roy Kepler, the father of current CEO Clark Kepler, founded Kepler’s in Menlo Park in 1955. The store became a community fixture for progressive culture, attracting local artists, musicians, and academics. Kepler’s is still renowned for its knowledgeable staff, family-friendly atmosphere, and frequent literary events. Kepler’s closed temporarily last fall, but has since reopened with widespread community support, particularly with help from local volunteers and members of its “Literary Circle.”
“Kepler’s has always been more than just a store,” said Simitian, a customer since the 1960s. “It has been a venue for the free expression of ideas in an engaged community. That’s no small thing.”
“We are honored that Senator Simitian chose Kepler’s as the Small Business of the Year for District 11,” said Clark Kepler, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Kepler’s. “Independent bookstores have had a very rough time in the last few years, and we’re so thankful that the community has supported us, and continues to support us, as we celebrate our 51st anniversary.”
This is the second year in a row Simitian has chosen to name an independent bookseller as Small Business of the Year for his district (last year’s honoree was Bell’s Books in Palo Alto). “As we watch the seemingly inexorable ‘malling of America,’” Simitian observed “we ought to take a moment to appreciate the locally owned, locally operated enterprises that give a community its character. Our independent bookstores are a valued community asset, and Kepler’s in particular is a real treasure.”
Kepler’s selection as the 11th State Senate District’s Small Business of the Year will be officially recognized at a luncheon in Sacramento on May 30, where Simitian will present Clark Kepler with the award.
For more information about Kepler’s, visit www.keplers.com.