Leibman

Barry Leibman, co-owner of Left Bank Books, will be leaving the bookstore and St. Louis next year.

Leibman says he and his wife, Caroline, plan to move to the Seattle area.  He wants to try something new but doesn’t know what it will be: “I will definitely spend more time painting.  Really, it’s an adventure.  We’re taking an adventure with our lives.”

Leibman has spent about 35 of his 64 years working in or running the independent bookstore in the Central West End. The store was founded in 1969 by a collective of Washington University students who opposed the Vietnam War and wanted to provide alternative literature and an alternative voice. Leibman was hired as a bookseller in 1975, and two years later he and others took over the small, debt-ridden store and eventually moved it to its current location on Euclid Avenue.

A 40th anniversary celebration for the store is at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at the new downtown store, 321 North 10th St.. One of the attendees will be author Anita Diamant (”The Red Tent” and “Day After Night”) who was one of the original Left Bank founders.

Both the CWE and downtown stores will remain under the direction of remaining owners Kris Kleindienst and Jarek Steele. 

In an emailed statement, Kleindienst said:  “I will deeply miss Barry, with whom I have worked so closely for three and a half decades on behalf of this little bookstore that we love so much.” 

 Steele, who has been with Left Bank since 2002, and will be assuming most of Barry’s financial duties, said in the statement: “Barry has taught me a great deal, and in a relatively short space of time. We’ve been through a lot together. I feel like I have big shoes to fill.  I will sorely miss our daily strategy sessions and the rich perspective that Barry brings to this work. His continued friendship means a lot to me.”

Leibman, who is also a painter, will have an exhibit of new work at the Sheldon Art Galleries in Feburary.