St. Petersburg, Fla. – The owners of the historic Haslam’s Book Store, Ray and Suzanne Haslam Hinst, issued a public statement on Monday addressing a planned pop‑up concert that had been advertised for the store’s parking lot on Saturday night, August 29, 2026. The couple emphasized that the event was neither planned nor approved by their family.
Statement from the Haslam family
In a written response sent exclusively to the St. Pete Catalyst, the Hinsts expressed gratitude for the continued affection the community shows for Haslam’s, a landmark that first opened its doors in 1933 and has occupied its Central Avenue location since 1964. They wrote, “We are grateful that so many people still love Haslam’s. A concert advertised for Saturday night, August 29th, 2026, in our parking lot was not planned or authorized by our family. The organizer has not asked us for permission and has no connection to the store. The lot is private property and is not open for a public event.”
The owners warned that anyone who entered the property without permission would be asked to leave, adding, “We ask people who care about Haslam’s not to put themselves or this property at risk.”
Background on the unauthorized event
Local musician Filipe Bergson, who promoted the concert, also attempted to sell merchandise bearing the Haslam’s name outside the store. Bergson told reporters he was trying to attract the Hinsts’ attention, but the couple’s statement makes clear that no formal relationship exists between the artist and the bookstore.
Haslam’s Book Store closed its doors at the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 and has remained shuttered since. The owners have not announced a timeline for reopening, leaving the future of the beloved independent retailer uncertain.
Community response
Long‑time patrons and neighborhood residents expressed disappointment that the beloved storefront remains closed, but many also voiced support for the owners’ decision to protect private property and avoid an unplanned gathering. “I love Haslam’s and want it back, but I respect their right to say no to an event they didn’t approve,” said one local resident who asked to remain anonymous.
City officials have not been contacted for comment, and no permits appear to have been filed for the concert, reinforcing the owners’ claim that the event was unauthorized.
Looking ahead
As the Haslam family continues to evaluate the store’s future, the incident underscores the importance of clear communication between property owners and community organizers. For now, the parking lot remains closed to the public, and residents are asked to respect the owners’ wishes.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
