Kramers (bookstore)
| Company type | Independent bookstore and café |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Bookselling), Food and Beverage |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Bill Kramer, Henry Posner, David Tenney |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Washington, D.C. |
Key people | Steve Salis (owner since 2016) |
| Products | Books, café food and beverages |
| Owner | Steve Salis |
Kramers—originally known as Kramerbooks & Afterwords—is an independent bookstore and café situated in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle neighborhood. Established in 1976 by Bill Kramer, Henry Posner, and David Tenney, it evolved into a cherished local landmark frequented by residents, writers, and political figures alike. Kramers was a pioneer in combining a bookstore with a café under one roof, setting a precedent that influenced similar establishments across the United States. Distinguished guests have included Barack Obama, Andy Warhol, Maya Angelou, and Monica Lewinsky. In 2016, ownership transferred to Steve Salis.
Founding and early years
The store commenced operations in August 1976 at 1517 Connecticut Avenue NW, with the Afterwords Café debuting two months later within the same premises. The building, constructed in 1920 originally as an automobile showroom, had previously accommodated various retail businesses. Bill Kramer, who managed four bookstores in D.C. inherited from his parents Sidney and Miriam Z. Kramer (the founders of Sidney Kramer Books in 1946), sought to innovate by merging book retail with dining—a concept then relatively uncommon that later inspired venues such as Harvard Book Store and Square Books to incorporate cafés.
Kramers initially operated around the clock and quickly became a favored gathering spot that contributed substantially to Dupont Circle’s lively street atmosphere. Customers were introduced to espresso, craft microbrews, Häagen-Dazs ice cream, and New York-style bagels delivered daily via Greyhound buses due to their rarity locally.
In 1984, Afterwords Café expanded to include outdoor seating on the sidewalk and further increased its bar area after acquiring the neighboring property at 1521 Connecticut Avenue in 1991. By 1993, Kramers opened a larger 10,000-square-foot location featuring a restaurant in Arlington, Virginia; however, both Arlington stores eventually closed because of insufficient performance.
Monica Lewinsky controversy
Kramers attracted national spotlight during the 1998 Lewinsky scandal when it refused to comply with a subpoena from Kenneth Starr requesting Monica Lewinsky's book purchase records. Although initially reported that the store would cooperate, management ultimately declined on First Amendment grounds. This stance led to protests from librarians and customers and affected sales figures. Backed by groups such as the American Booksellers Association (ABA), American Library Association, and ACLU, Kramers legally contested the subpoena. Despite a court order demanding compliance, the store stood firm and prepared to appeal up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Eventually, an arrangement was made wherein Lewinsky’s attorneys directly supplied Starr with the requested list, thereby safeguarding Kramers’ principles. The ABA contributed toward covering significant legal costs incurred by the bookstore.
Subsequent developments and ownership change
Though independent bookstores faced industry-wide challenges, Kramers maintained steady growth by fostering an inviting environment featuring live music performances, author readings, and a full-service bar. Established as a Washington institution, it draws a wide-ranging clientele including prominent individuals like President Barack Obama as well as celebrities such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Toni Morrison. The shutdown of nearby chains like Books-A-Million provided Kramers with competitive advantages; however, rising competition from local dining establishments impacted café revenues. By 2015, combined sales from bookselling and café operations had reached $10 million.
That year marked the beginning of plans by founders Kramer and Tenney to sell the business; Tenney acknowledged that revitalizing the restaurant side was essential for future success. In 2016, Steve Salis—co-founder of &pizza—purchased Kramers while Tenney retained partial ownership; Salis assumed full ownership in 2017. Under his leadership, the store expanded by incorporating an adjacent retail space measuring 800 square feet, bringing total area to 4,500 square feet. Following internal management conflicts during Salis’ tenure, several veteran employees left to establish Solid State Books on H Street NE.
In April 2020, Salis launched a pop-up takeout and delivery service for his Federalist Pig BBQ brand within the Afterwords Café area. He subsequently announced intentions to relocate Kramers altogether—a move that raised concerns among community members—though he committed to keeping the original site operational for at least three additional years. In August 2020, Afterwords Café was rebranded as All Day by Kramers with an updated menu developed by Chef Vincent Griffith.
External links
- "Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe", a documentary produced by WETA-TV
- "Lewinsky Book Purchases", video of a news briefing from C-SPAN
- Articles with short description
- 1976 establishments in Washington, D.C.
- American companies founded in 1976
- Dupont Circle
- Independent bookstores in the United States
- Landmarks of Washington, D.C.
- Privately owned businesses headquartered in Washington, D.C.
- Retail firms founded in 1976
- Retail companies based in Washington, D.C.
- Bookstores located in Washington, D.C.
- 5
- American companies established in 1976
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment