Stepping into the Grolier Poetry Book Shop is like entering a treasury of poetic verse, a haven that has nurtured the hearts and minds of poetry enthusiasts for almost a hundred years. Tucked away in Harvard Square Grolier holds the title as the oldest continuously run poetry book shop in the United States, and possibly the world.

A Brief History

The Grolier Poetry Book Shop was established in 1927 by Adrian Gambet and Gordon Cairnie. The name "Grolier" was inspired by Jean Grolier, a 16th-century bibliophile known for his incredible book collection. However, the Grolier Club, a renowned society of bibliophiles in New York, influenced the founders' decision to adopt this name.

Cairnie ran the shop from 1927 until his death in 1973, during which it evolved into a hub for poets, writers, and students. His dedication to maintaining the specialized nature of the shop ensured that the store flourished as a significant literary institution. Renowned poets such as T.S. Eliot, Robert Lowell, Elizabeth Bishop, e.e. cummings, Marianne Moore, and many others were regulars.

After Cairnie's passing, the shop went through several owners before Louisa Solano bought it in 1974. Under Solano's 35-year reign, the shop continued to maintain its charm and continued as a gathering place for poets, hosting readings and signings by world-famous poets such as Seamus Heaney, Derek Walcott, and Allen Ginsberg.

In 2006, Nigerian poet Ifeanyi Menkiti, a professor of philosophy at Wellesley College, bought the shop from Solano, ensuring the legacy continued. After Menkiti's death in 2019, his son, Kelechi Menkiti, took over the ownership.

Grolier's Collection and Influence

Grolier Poetry Book Shop specializes exclusively in poetry. Its cozy premises, not larger than 404 square feet, houses over 15,000 volumes of poetry, ranging from the works of ancient poets to contemporary collections. It also carries a wide selection of literary journals and chapbooks.

But Grolier is not just a shop; it's an experience. It's a meeting place, a refuge, and a classroom. Its walls have heard the voices of poets of every generation and served as the launching pad for many literary careers.