“A bookstore and a thrift shop had a baby.” I am talking about Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room. Welcome to a unique space in Philadelphia. It blends literature with a mission. This is no ordinary bookstore. It’s a historic landmark. It is a community hub.
Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room started as Giovanni’s Room in 1973. It was founded by Tom Wilson Weinberg, Dan Sherbo and Bern Boyle. The store quickly became the center of gay Philly. It offered a safe space. It provided access to LGBTQ literature.
Initially, Giovanni’s Room had about 100 titles. These included works by James Baldwin and Gertrude Stein. Over time, it expanded. It stocked over 15000 titles. These covered gay, lesbian, feminist, transgender, and bisexual topics. You could find biographies and sex-safe books here. Muscle magazines were available too.
In 2014, Ed Hermance retired. Philly AIDS Thrift took ownership. The store became Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room. The new owners continued the bookstore’s legacy. They also sustained their own thrift business. They added music and art to the collection. Comics and clothing joined the shelves. Now, Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room boasts 7000 titles. They also have a database of 48000 works. These include new and used queer books.
Giovanni’s Room has moved several times. It finally settled at 345 South 12th Street. This is in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood. The main building dates back to 1820. An adjacent building was added later.
This bookstore played a vital role during the AIDS crisis. It provided safe-sex educational materials. This was at a time when the government offered no information. Philly AIDS Thrift continues this tradition of support. It donates its proceeds to local organizations. These organizations fight HIV/AIDS. By 2020, Philly AIDS Thrift had donated over three million dollars.
Kelly Rial visited Giovanni’s Room. She looked both ways before entering. She hadn’t come out as trans yet. The bookstore was a haven for her. It allowed her to explore her identity.
Alan Chelak is the current manager. He reopened the store in 2014. He mixed up the business model. He made the selection more inclusive. Now, the store is thriving.
Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room is more than just a store. It is a community. It is a legacy. It is a place where everyone can be their true self. Here you can explore LGBTQ history. You can also find a vintage sweater. Every purchase supports a vital cause. So browse the shelves. Discover a new author. Find a unique treasure. Know that you are contributing to the fight against HIV/AIDS. You are supporting the LGBTQ community.