The Final Chapter: Clevo Books Closing at End of June

Every turn of a page at Clevo Books brings readers a new perspective, connecting people through literature and letting readers grow closer to their own culture as well as learn about others. After four years of providing Downtown with stories from all over the world, the bookstore has formally announced its closing to occur on June 30.

“This particular bookstore was important because this was a way for people to connect with their heritage,” says Cathryn Siegal-Bergman, the founder of Clevo Books, “This is a way to experience knowledge, wisdom and experiences around the world.”

After working as a translator for other publishers, Siegal-Bergman wanted to choose her own projects to translate and publish. Thus, Clevo Books began — but not as the bookstore we know today. It began as solely a publishing company before it decided to include translated pieces from other publishers. After positive responses, they fully opened a bookstore based on translated literature that we know as Clevo Books.

Clevo Books largely attracted tourists, mainly because those who travel are often more open-minded about translated literature. The central location that brought these tourists was a big reason why Siegal-Bergman wanted to base the store Downtown. 

Unfortunately, this influx of tourists gradually dwindled after COVID, causing their revenue to decrease. Despite plans to grow into a wine bar and host community events, Clevo Books recently announced its closing. However, Siegal-Bergman has no plan to discard its online store anytime soon.

Without the tourists to drive their business, Clevo Books is left with a different audience. While American literature has provided us with many acclaimed works, there is a different sense of understanding for the world and for life that one can acquire through international literature.

“Diverse as the perspective may be within American borders, it’s still not an international perspective,” Siegal-Bergman says. “I would hope that people would welcome foreign perspectives.”

Siegal-Bergman has little confidence in Downtown’s ability to support a bookstore, particularly a specialty one. She has heard many residents Downtown express desires for more retail in the area, yet she’s seen a lack of support for the retail that does exist. Siegal-Bergman interpreted this appetite for retail as residents wanting places they already shop at to exist Downtown rather than valuing the retail they have.

While Downtown is still a hub for visitors due to things like entertainment and attractions, retail is now underappreciated, she says. So while being Downtown helped their business for a period of time, there is now less of a book scene concentrated Downtown in contrast with the greater Cleveland area.

“You’ve got readers all over the region, and you’ve got bookstores all over the region, and most of them are thriving, which is great,” Siegal-Bergman says, “I want to see that, I want to be in that kind of environment.”

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