When rumors surfaced that Bill Fiedler, owner of The Gallery Bookstore in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, had passed away, word spread rapidly through social media, news articles, and emails. Bookstore co-owner Rebecca George, hearing of Fiedler’s supposed death, sprang into action to honor his legacy, organizing an “End of an Era” sale to share his collection of nearly 30,000 books with Chicago’s book-loving community. However, Fiedler, 73, was alive and well, enjoying his retirement quietly at home.
The misunderstanding stemmed from a simple mix-up. Fiedler, a month-to-month tenant, had sent his landlord, Kyle Glascott, a lease termination notice earlier that spring. Assuming Fiedler’s health had declined, Glascott thought the letter was sent by his wife after Fiedler’s passing. Glascott reached out to George to find new homes for the books left behind, prompting George’s store to announce his alleged death on social media. The post triggered a wave of condolences, with comments and memories pouring in from Fiedler’s former patrons and employees.
Fiedler found humor in the situation, comparing himself to Ernest Hemingway, who once read his own obituaries after being falsely reported dead. Fiedler, a man who avoids email and texting, noted how the internet can amplify misinformation, with the news of his supposed death being a harmless, yet poignant example.
George felt remorseful upon learning that Fiedler was still alive, as she had volunteered to look after his collection, thinking she was helping preserve his memory. Fiedler himself, however, took it all in stride, grateful that his store’s legacy had sparked such an outpouring of appreciation from the community.
Fiedler’s bookstore, a quiet but beloved part of Chicago’s history, had operated without fanfare or media attention for over 30 years, relying instead on word of mouth. When George saw the state of the bookstore—filled with untouched books and memorabilia—it seemed as if Fiedler had simply “got up and walked out,” further convincing her of the tragedy.
Though his departure from the store marked the end of an era, Fiedler’s presence remains intact, both in spirit and in person, as the Chicago community fondly remembers his dedication to the local literary scene.
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