Resolution 220064
Honoring the legacy of the Joseph Fox Bookshop located on Sansom Street upon its closure after over seventy years in business and recognizing its many contributions to the literary culture of Philadelphia.
Introduced by
Properties named in this bill
Addresses the bill text names, each matched to one Philadelphia parcel. Naming a property is not a claim that the bill is about it.
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“Resolution No. 220055, entitled a "Resolution 00:49:23 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1001, 1003 and 1005 West Arizona Street, 1005 00:49:33 02032022 Stated Meeting February 3, 2022 Street, 1007, 1009, 1011, 1013, 1019 West Arizona Street, 1021 West Cumberland Street, 2325, 2335, 2337, 2346, 2347 an…”
Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, February 3, 2022 · Feb 3, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Jan 27, 2022Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- Feb 3, 2022ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
Read the full text as published
..Title Honoring the legacy of the Joseph Fox Bookshop located on Sansom Street upon its closure after over seventy years in business and recognizing its many contributions to the literary culture of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, The founder of the store, Joseph Fox, began selling books from the basement of 1724 Sansom Street in 1951; and WHEREAS, Joseph, despite never having graduated from high school, was known for his deep passion for reading and books which he shared with the world through a carefully curated selection specializing in architecture, design and art; and WHEREAS, Prior to opening the Bookshop, Joseph Fox served in World War Two in Guam. He brought his love of reading with him - helping to open a library there during his time in the service; and WHEREAS, He married his wife Madeline in 1940. Madeline especially prided herself on her creation and design of the children's section of the store; and WHEREAS, Notable figures in the Philadelphia art and design scene took notice of Joseph's taste and special inventory. Prominent authors and architects were known to frequent the Bookshop and exchange ideas; and WHEREAS, The Foxes had two sons. Michael Fox ran the bookstore until and after his father's passing in 1998; and WHEREAS, Michael officially took the reins at Joseph Fox in 1990, four years after his father purchased the building. Despite competition from big box book retailers and online stores, Michael kept the Bookshop a popular destination for Philadelphians looking for an off the beaten path feel with intimate service and lots of character; and WHEREAS, The Joseph Fox Bookshop continued to hold author events and coordinated presentations with the Free Library. The store remains one of the most well-regarded independent bookshops in Philadelphia and the region; and WHEREAS, In January of 2022, Michael Fox and his wife Judi announced the upcoming closure of the Joseph Fox Bookshop. The City will miss their presence and the vibrancy their shop brings to Center City. Michael and Judi plan to retire and continue their lifelong love of reading full time; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby honor the legacy of the Joseph Fox Bookshop located on Sansom Street upon its closure after over seventy years in business and recognize its many contributions to the literary culture of Philadelphia. ..End