BY LAUREN MCDANIEL
Executive Director
LACDC

JACQUELYN CONNOLLY
Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District

SANDY JONES
Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce

The Los Alamos community has shown an outpouring of support for Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse over the last week since owner Jill Lang’s letter earlier this month about her probable closure. This support, not only through words of encouragement but also through active consumer spending, hasn’t gone unnoticed by the owner. Please, keep this momentum going through this weekend and January. 

Paired with recent discussions and connections with LACDC staff, and the strong uptick in consumer spending at Samizdat in January – traditionally at levels only seen during pre-holiday shopping – there is cautious optimism from the owner about keeping our local independent bookstore alive. 

LACDC, the Chamber and MainStreet staff are working closely with Samizdat to ensure it can continue with its mission, and focus on strengthening its business potential. Some of this will likely include expanded food options and new collaborations.

We know we share the sentiment that we collectively want to see this beloved bookstore continue to thrive, as it means more to the community than just a place to buy books and boba tea. Trends in the number of independent bookstores nationwide have surged by about 70% over the last five years (according to the American Booksellers Association), offering evidence that bookstores of all kinds are thriving as community hubs, with growing numbers of indie shops opening and strong customer engagement nationwide. Samizdat serves in just this capacity locally, and the nationwide stats about independent bookstore growth offer an encouraging backdrop for Samizdat’s continued efforts.

In fact, since they opened as a pop-up through the Los Alamos Business Accelerator in 2021, Samizdat has gone far beyond being just a retail bookstore. It has been a gathering place for author talks, book signings, fundraisers, art-making, musical performances, and community-oriented programming, helping enrich local cultural life. It attracts a wide range of customers, including teens who come for boba tea, board games, socializing, and homework, making it a valued spot for local youth.

The bookstore also frequently collaborates with local businesses, organizations, and other venues to bolster and expand exciting new programming as well as numerous beloved annual festivals and events. Owner Jill Lang also received community and state-wide recognition for leadership and engagement—earning a New Mexico MainStreet Excellence Award and other local business honors, including being voted Chamber Retail Business of the Year by the public, which speaks to the store’s value and positive influence locally.

We’re deeply grateful to the local patrons who have shown up this January, and we encourage the community to keep showing up this weekend and through the month to help ensure Samizdat remains a vibrant part of the Los Alamos community for years to come. Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse not only wants to help fill retail gaps in the community and provide what its customers are requesting, but also to offer a gathering space for the community and its youth. Let’s ensure their mission continues.