Customers' Stories
Photos provided by Carl A.
|
Written by Carl A.
The euphoria and adrenaline rush I felt while in Uncle Hugo's (which lasted for the 3 plus hours we were there) was very real and reading about it brings all those feelings back, along with a tremendous sadness for your loss. Being there was one of the best days of my life. I had never seen a store so wonderfully organized. It was so obvious that your Dad had a true love of the material he sold because it was displayed so lovingly and so well and made the experience of shopping in there truly amazing. I cannot recall if your Dad was there that day, I believe it was him, but whoever was there was so helpful and also so generous with allowing me to be in the store and shop to my heart's content.
I need to get to reading all of the books that I purchased, because when the shop opens I would be happy to send these books back to you, free of charge, for someone else to discover on an Uncle Hugo's shelf. I also have some Robert McGinnis covered detective and pulp books that i would be happy to donate to the Uncle Edgar's side as well. |
Written by Mike M.
My early Uncle Hugo’s experience was at 4th Avenue and Franklin, across from The Fetus, buying J.R.R. Tolkien’s Unfinished Tales (and a deck of tarot cards). I went there as often as I could. At the time, I was living in the Chicago/Lake area and knew Boston Billiards pretty well, so when the store moved to its long home it was somewhat bittersweet but not for long!
Even after moving away from the Twin Cities, whenever I came back I’d stop in at Uncle Hugo’s (and Jan’s Chow Mein down the street) and pick up this or that.
Years passed and I was the father of two and a grad student finishing a Masters thesis on Tolkien. Years later, my older daughter asked for the tarot deck.
Moved back To the Twin Cities last year and came back often. Last time was a few months ago when I brought my friend Mike in for his first experience. And he loved both Hugo’s and Edgar’s, buying a stack from both sides.
Drove past the other day and am heartbroken. There are no more words.
Even after moving away from the Twin Cities, whenever I came back I’d stop in at Uncle Hugo’s (and Jan’s Chow Mein down the street) and pick up this or that.
Years passed and I was the father of two and a grad student finishing a Masters thesis on Tolkien. Years later, my older daughter asked for the tarot deck.
Moved back To the Twin Cities last year and came back often. Last time was a few months ago when I brought my friend Mike in for his first experience. And he loved both Hugo’s and Edgar’s, buying a stack from both sides.
Drove past the other day and am heartbroken. There are no more words.
Written by Aurora P.
I grew up in South Minneapolis, a deep lover of books, and a 20 minute walk to Uncle Hugo's and Uncle Edgar's. I've been there numerous times but the time I remember most fondly I walked in looking for a specific book, one Barnes and Noble and Half-Price-Books had failed to provide me with unless I wanted to order. I tired to my favorite book store. I walked into the maze of tall shelves piled with more books than would fit, looking for a copy of Skulduggery Pleasant by Derick Landy. I found what I was looking for, and so much more. As usual, I didn't really want to leave. Before and since that day I've been there many times, sometimes just as a destination for a walk, sometimes a mission to find something. I was shy, and always happy to peruse the shelves for however long my mom would let me... I turned 18 in May of 2020, and also in May of 2020 my favorite book store burned down. 18 years of old book smell, and teetering shelves, and the pure joy of finding some hidden jem. When the Uncles' book store reopens, it won't be the same as I remember it, but I'll be back, probably leaving with more books than I can reasonably carry and a story that I will always remember.
Video Story and Image by Shelby F.
|
|
|
Written by David G.
1981: My first adult job, front desk clerk at the Radisson South Hotel, working for minimum wage. Got paid every two weeks, and after I picked up & banked my check every Friday, I went down to Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore — their original location on 4th St. — and bought one book.
I was on a quest, you see. Gregg Press had printed a number of Fritz Leiber’s books in library-quality hardcover editions, and Hugo’s had them ALL on hand. So each Friday, as I said, I’d venture down there, make the hard decision, and add one to my tiny shelf of SF hardcovers.
Got ‘em all, though it took time. And to this day, those fifteen books are the cornerstone of my Fritz Leiber library. And so, thank you, Uncle Hugo’s!
I was on a quest, you see. Gregg Press had printed a number of Fritz Leiber’s books in library-quality hardcover editions, and Hugo’s had them ALL on hand. So each Friday, as I said, I’d venture down there, make the hard decision, and add one to my tiny shelf of SF hardcovers.
Got ‘em all, though it took time. And to this day, those fifteen books are the cornerstone of my Fritz Leiber library. And so, thank you, Uncle Hugo’s!
Written by Andrew A.
I first visited Uncle Hugo’s when I was a junior in high school, likely in 1985…I grew up near Decorah IA, 3 hours’ drive south of here, think I may have been referred to the store by an older fellow sf fan. So it was something of an expedition to drive to Minneapolis; when I did get up here Uncle Hugo’s was always a stop. It was a magical place! So many used books, by so many great authors! And so cheap! This latter was important to me as I was dirt-poor, as a teenager and into early adulthood. I loved books from an early age, and developed the habit of haunting used bookstores, which I still indulge, continuing to prefer the used product even if I can afford new. I still have in my personal library some of those old massmarket paperbacks which dominated the market back in the 70s & 80s, purchased at Uncle Hugo’s for a dollar or 2 – e.g. novels of Larry Niven, Clifford Simak, Robert Silverberg, Roger Zelazny – great stuff!
I continued shopping there when I moved to Minneapolis after college, in 1991, and Uncle Hugo’s remained my 1st choice for sf purchases, into the Internet era…and actually right up to May 2020 when I was devastated to hear about the store being burned. That really sucks, not much more to be said – but I do want to say THANKS Don, for keeping the place going all those years, and thanks to Mina for organizing the Uncles Stories Project!
I continued shopping there when I moved to Minneapolis after college, in 1991, and Uncle Hugo’s remained my 1st choice for sf purchases, into the Internet era…and actually right up to May 2020 when I was devastated to hear about the store being burned. That really sucks, not much more to be said – but I do want to say THANKS Don, for keeping the place going all those years, and thanks to Mina for organizing the Uncles Stories Project!
Written by Christina N.
|
My husband and I came to visit Minneapolis in February of 2017 to decide if we wanted to move here from Boston, and discovered the Uncles while exploring from an AirBNB in Longfellow. I’m not saying Uncle Hugo’s was a deciding factor in our decision to move, but when we walked in we both immediately said “Heaven.”
One of my least favorite things about nerd culture is that sometimes nerds start trying to be gatekeepers. There was no quiz to get in to Uncle Hugo’s - rather, there were signs with suggestions for where to start if you were new to a genre. Terry Pratchett is my favorite author of all time: there was an article on the wall about his greatness. We could have spent hours browsing. Since we now live here, we’ve been taking periodic trips over and leaving with armloads of books: this photo is from a recent trip, and this is just my pile. Uncle Hugo’s has been my happy place for 3 years and I was devastated to learn of the fire. Here’s hoping for a fresh start and a great future. |
Photo provided by Christina N.
|
Written by Steve B.
I first visited Uncle Hugo's when it was on 4th and Franklin. I walked in and was mesmerized with wonder. I loved it but I was a recent resident and wasn't always sure that I'd be able to find it when I went back home to my apartment. When I moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1981, I was deeply sorrowful that I would never be able to visit. Fortunately, I married a woman who lived with her parents on the Wisconsin / Minnesota border, and I got a chance to visit often. I came encumbered with a grocery bag or two and some of the books would be buyable by the Uncles. Anything that wasn't sellable, I'd donate. I'd bring home a sack.
When the Chicago Ave store opened, I needed to determine how to get there. There was never any question as to whether I'd go there. Whenever I visited the in-laws I'd always "make a pilgrimage to Uncle Hugo's." It was my Mecca.
The best story I remember was how Scott came upon me while I was browsing in the used stacks and asked if he could help. Over a decade prior, I had read a book of short stories with a big SF1 on the cover and I described one of the stories contained therein. He paused for a moment, stated that it was: 1) A British Import; 2) Out of Print; and 3) they had a used copy of it. He went directly to it and pulled it out to show to me. I was stunned and, of course, immediately purchased the reasonably priced book. I never tire of telling the story. The book has a special place in my personal library. And I always recommended the Uncles.
When I heard about the riots and looting in Minneapolis, I was concerned about the Uncles. My shock and awe over this tragedy is beyond my ability to describe. I've donated some dollars, but I would be glad to help supply my science Fiction and Fantasy books as I can.
When the Chicago Ave store opened, I needed to determine how to get there. There was never any question as to whether I'd go there. Whenever I visited the in-laws I'd always "make a pilgrimage to Uncle Hugo's." It was my Mecca.
The best story I remember was how Scott came upon me while I was browsing in the used stacks and asked if he could help. Over a decade prior, I had read a book of short stories with a big SF1 on the cover and I described one of the stories contained therein. He paused for a moment, stated that it was: 1) A British Import; 2) Out of Print; and 3) they had a used copy of it. He went directly to it and pulled it out to show to me. I was stunned and, of course, immediately purchased the reasonably priced book. I never tire of telling the story. The book has a special place in my personal library. And I always recommended the Uncles.
When I heard about the riots and looting in Minneapolis, I was concerned about the Uncles. My shock and awe over this tragedy is beyond my ability to describe. I've donated some dollars, but I would be glad to help supply my science Fiction and Fantasy books as I can.
Written by Bob R.
My daughter was 5 or 6 years old I took her with me when I went book shopping at Uncle Edgar's. I spent about an hour browsing and buying. She sat in a chair reading until I was done. I had told her this was a store that didn't have children's books but she enjoyed the trip.
We lived in Elk River at the time. A week later, she was riding in a car with one of her friends and and her friend's parents. They passed an XXX bookstore and one of them made a comment about the adult bookstore.
My daughter happily announced: "My daddy took me to the adult bookstore last week".
Mayhem ensued.
We lived in Elk River at the time. A week later, she was riding in a car with one of her friends and and her friend's parents. They passed an XXX bookstore and one of them made a comment about the adult bookstore.
My daughter happily announced: "My daddy took me to the adult bookstore last week".
Mayhem ensued.
Photos provided by Kinnell T.
|
Written by Kinnell T.
I've lived around the cities for 15 years now and at some point in one of those winters discovered Hugo's. I pretty religiously stick to sci-fi and fantasy as it brings me a lot of enjoyment and with 5 kids and work it's good escape reading; and I can't say there was a better store for that. They might not have always had what I wanted in stock, but they always had something in stock for my desires. When I was on a Conan kick I went in there and lovingly found a paper sack just stuffed with Conan books, which you can even see in the attached photos.
When our oldest kid was around 7 I brought him there to see what a true bookstore was, even though it was beyond his ability to truly comprehend or appreciate the works therein. He marveled at the stacks and stacks of books and was admonished for running but that and a few subsequent trips to the store with his sisters are a great memory for myself and him. I'm saddened beyond sad that he won't get to venture there as his interests blossom and he begins to get into fantasy or sci-fi but I hope a future brick and mortar location will be opened because the information therein as well as the staff's ability to suggest books was priceless It took until my mid-late 30s to be ok with closing a book for good that just wasn't for me. Be it the writing style, the subject matter, characters, ... it was truly hard for me to close a book, but the folks at UH's were pretty simple with it, specifically with Downbelow Station as well as the Ancillary Justice works. The writing is incredibly good, but "ain't my cup o' tea" was the statement said to me, which went right in line with how I felt and it was that statement that really clicked something inside me to make it OK to just put a book down when it's more of a chore than an enjoyment to read it. When I heard the news that it burned I thought of two things: (1) that paper sack of Conan books and (2) all those cheaper paperbacks in the plastic bags that were in the stacks right in front of the counter. So many choices and potential reads just up in smoke. So many times I would pick through those and just not buy many, or any at all. Lost opportunities there of books that will never exist again. Sad. Fahrenheit 451 indeed. Here's to a future location for UH's sooner rather than later. I know the entire local book community will walk in with donations to fill those stacks in no time :) |
Written by Greg K.
I met Don Blyly in 1971, at Minicon 4, the fourth Minnesota Science Fiction Convention, in Minneapolis. We were both scruffy college students. He had come up with a small group of fellow SF fans from the University of Illinois. I came down solo from the Iron Range, where I was home for the summer.
In high school, we as introverted readers of speculative fiction had been branded as nerds and ostracized by our classmates. Yet here we were, with over a hundred like us. It was heady, regardless of its isolation from mainstream popular culture. Star Trek had been canceled two years before, the premiere of Star Wars was six years in the future, and the Terminator fourteen, and movies of Marvel super-heroes were only a daydream-yearning for comic book fans.
We parted after three days of weirdo-fellowship, geek-talk and geek-jokes. Don and I did not meet again until some time in the late 1970s, when I learned that, my gosh! there was a science fiction bookstore in Minneapolis. I dropped in on a trip down from Duluth.
And there Don was. He’d liked Minnesota enough on those fan-visits, settled here, and jumped into small business in early 1974 on the shakey strength of local organized SF fandom.
Over the forty-plus years since, quarterly visits to the Uncles became a tradition for me and my family. Hugo’s was for me, Edgar’s for my wife. Our three kids became readers of SF, not as intense as Dad but loyal to this day. The visits were never as short as I promised my wife, but never as long as I could have stayed.
And throughout, the Uncles were the nurturing institution of our genre reading. The time-worn but serviceable building had its pervasive aroma of oxidizing pulp paper. The cluttered floors held a vast assortment spanning the whole history of SF, fantasy, horror, mystery. The assortment of fellow-oddballs who’d show up in profusion and variety was always a show, and often a sharing.
And Don presided over it all, with his shy smile and his insistence on broadening his customers’ reading horizons. And—ha ha!—over four decades the stuff for which we’d been mocked and taunted as teenagers became the mythology of our time—the universes of Roddenberry and Spielberg, Twin Peaks, the X-Files, Harry Potter, the Marvel movies. The geeks now rule!
Don has been our chief local patriarch over that star-spanning evolution, taking care of us as his flock but taking all converts. After the recent tragedy, he’ll have our support no matter how he chooses to go forward.
In high school, we as introverted readers of speculative fiction had been branded as nerds and ostracized by our classmates. Yet here we were, with over a hundred like us. It was heady, regardless of its isolation from mainstream popular culture. Star Trek had been canceled two years before, the premiere of Star Wars was six years in the future, and the Terminator fourteen, and movies of Marvel super-heroes were only a daydream-yearning for comic book fans.
We parted after three days of weirdo-fellowship, geek-talk and geek-jokes. Don and I did not meet again until some time in the late 1970s, when I learned that, my gosh! there was a science fiction bookstore in Minneapolis. I dropped in on a trip down from Duluth.
And there Don was. He’d liked Minnesota enough on those fan-visits, settled here, and jumped into small business in early 1974 on the shakey strength of local organized SF fandom.
Over the forty-plus years since, quarterly visits to the Uncles became a tradition for me and my family. Hugo’s was for me, Edgar’s for my wife. Our three kids became readers of SF, not as intense as Dad but loyal to this day. The visits were never as short as I promised my wife, but never as long as I could have stayed.
And throughout, the Uncles were the nurturing institution of our genre reading. The time-worn but serviceable building had its pervasive aroma of oxidizing pulp paper. The cluttered floors held a vast assortment spanning the whole history of SF, fantasy, horror, mystery. The assortment of fellow-oddballs who’d show up in profusion and variety was always a show, and often a sharing.
And Don presided over it all, with his shy smile and his insistence on broadening his customers’ reading horizons. And—ha ha!—over four decades the stuff for which we’d been mocked and taunted as teenagers became the mythology of our time—the universes of Roddenberry and Spielberg, Twin Peaks, the X-Files, Harry Potter, the Marvel movies. The geeks now rule!
Don has been our chief local patriarch over that star-spanning evolution, taking care of us as his flock but taking all converts. After the recent tragedy, he’ll have our support no matter how he chooses to go forward.
Written by Jen C.
Hello, my name is Jen Steffen. When I was young and in high school, I spent a lot of free time between the Roosevelt Public Library, right across from my high school, and Uncle Hugo's. I loved that store so much. I got all of my Doctor Who books from there. I bought my Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy there. I also bought my Edward Gorey books there. And I really wanted to work there. But I was shy, and I never mentioned it, so I never got to work there. Probably my one regret. I have brought my daughter to the store to find something to read. She's also a big fan of Doctor Who. She loves the Warriors books, and is a pretty big sci fi geek, like her mother. I will miss the stores at the Lake Street location, as that is where I knew them. But I really hope they find a place. We need the Uncles to return.
Written by Emily V.
|
I took my favorite-of-all-time picture of my brother Ryan after one of our countless journeys to your shop. I had just taken a picture of a picture on your wall of a guy holding a pile of books. Unbeknownst to my brother both that I had even seen the picture guy on the wall and that he was holding a pile very similar to that pictured guy, I took this picture. It makes me happy. I hope it does for you too. We'll be donating soon, and we're going to stop by and leave some flowers soon. We miss you, and we look forward to seeing you again!
|
Photos provided by Emily V.
|
Written by “Wally” M.
A couple years ago, my son, Adam McFarlane was being treated for Cancer. Adam is a life long sci-fi enthusiast, and accomplished author - as early as the 4th Grade he was winning Awards like the Voices of the Future award by the Minnesota Optimists Society. Adam is now in his mid 40's and has many published short stories.
We live in rural Minnesota, and were returning Adam to his home in Richfield from the Cancer Center in St. Louis park after he finished a chemo round.
On our way Adam asked if we could take him by Uncle Edgar's. I do not recall what was so important - but it did not matter, if Adam wanted it …. I would have swam the Atlantic. Adam was very sick from the chemo - they took pictures of his 'cupped' finger nails where they bowed up, not down. Doctors said his chemo was so strong it would finish off someone my age.
Here it is a couple years later and Adam is CLEAN. I know medicine and all the care Adam received did the trick, but I also believe we need ulterior motives to carry on. Uncle Edgar's was a influencing factor in Adam's recovery. As far as I know, during 3 months of chemo He never asked to go anywhere else.
They can say what they want, I know Uncle Edgar's helped my son beat cancer.
We live in rural Minnesota, and were returning Adam to his home in Richfield from the Cancer Center in St. Louis park after he finished a chemo round.
On our way Adam asked if we could take him by Uncle Edgar's. I do not recall what was so important - but it did not matter, if Adam wanted it …. I would have swam the Atlantic. Adam was very sick from the chemo - they took pictures of his 'cupped' finger nails where they bowed up, not down. Doctors said his chemo was so strong it would finish off someone my age.
Here it is a couple years later and Adam is CLEAN. I know medicine and all the care Adam received did the trick, but I also believe we need ulterior motives to carry on. Uncle Edgar's was a influencing factor in Adam's recovery. As far as I know, during 3 months of chemo He never asked to go anywhere else.
They can say what they want, I know Uncle Edgar's helped my son beat cancer.
Written by Robbie C.
I discovered Uncle Hugo’s while riding the bus on Franklin Avenue in 1978 to attend graduate school at the U. I was so excited upon my first visit as I had been collecting SF books since 1st grade. I still have my first SF novel, by Andre’ Norton, I got when I was 7.
Though I have many great memories of the store over the years, my fondest memory is Scott Imes recommending Stephen R. Donaldson’s Lord Foul’s Bane to me in 1978. It started me on a lifelong journey with my favorite book series. I can highly recommend it! Don then recommended Tad WIlliams. I recall going to Tad's book signing at the store.
I want to thank Uncle Hugo's for providing my lifelong book venue. I truly loved the store and always brought out-of-town guests there. A trip there was a special event. I have amassed a library of over 2,000 SF and fantasy books, most of them bought used at Uncle Hugo’s.
I am so glad Don is determined to re-open. I will be one of his first customers.
Though I have many great memories of the store over the years, my fondest memory is Scott Imes recommending Stephen R. Donaldson’s Lord Foul’s Bane to me in 1978. It started me on a lifelong journey with my favorite book series. I can highly recommend it! Don then recommended Tad WIlliams. I recall going to Tad's book signing at the store.
I want to thank Uncle Hugo's for providing my lifelong book venue. I truly loved the store and always brought out-of-town guests there. A trip there was a special event. I have amassed a library of over 2,000 SF and fantasy books, most of them bought used at Uncle Hugo’s.
I am so glad Don is determined to re-open. I will be one of his first customers.
Written by Ryan V.
I loved Uncle Hugo's dearly. I have a lasting love for science fiction and fantasy, so the moment I stepped into Hugo's on one of my first fully aware trips to Minneapolis it dazzled me. The majesty and awe of the sheer mind-boggling number of books in my favorite genres that covered the floor with seemingly innumerable boxes and even all the way to the ceiling blew my mind every time I came back in.
And I did, again and again, before and after I moved to Minneapolis. I'm practically incapable of entering a bookstore without coming back with something, and Hugo's embodied that. I would always find a book there, new or used, from an established writer or someone new, and often with an armload. My sister took a photo of me you can see elsewhere in these stories, and every season I would come out with that many books.
I'm pretty notorious for being a hyper, excitable person -- it feels good to share amazement, and I shared my love for Hugo's all over the place. As many bookmarks as I got books, inviting friends to come along with me…
It saddens me more than I can say that Hugo's, Edgar's and their books burned... but I'm eager for a new store to open, when I can truly call this a memorial to Hugo's and Edgar's 1.0.
And I did, again and again, before and after I moved to Minneapolis. I'm practically incapable of entering a bookstore without coming back with something, and Hugo's embodied that. I would always find a book there, new or used, from an established writer or someone new, and often with an armload. My sister took a photo of me you can see elsewhere in these stories, and every season I would come out with that many books.
I'm pretty notorious for being a hyper, excitable person -- it feels good to share amazement, and I shared my love for Hugo's all over the place. As many bookmarks as I got books, inviting friends to come along with me…
It saddens me more than I can say that Hugo's, Edgar's and their books burned... but I'm eager for a new store to open, when I can truly call this a memorial to Hugo's and Edgar's 1.0.
Written by Chris J.
The store was once a big part of my life, mostly years ago, and it made me so very sad to see and know what has happened to it. I’m glad that Don will, apparently, revive it somewhere here in town, and I hope that that new store is a great success, but the loss of the old store remains a heartbreak.
I don’t have a cool story about my many visits to Uncle Hugo’s: I shopped; I browsed around its library-quiet spaces, mostly introvertedly avoiding other customers; I bought many books. As I’ve gotten a little older, I don’t read as much Science Fiction, and went to UH’s less often, but was comforted to know that it was always there, ready for another visit, if I was.
I do enclose a photo that I hope you’ll use somewhere. Once upon a time, I had dozens of these bookmarks, and a few of them lurk on my shelves to this day. They were the only tokens of UH, with that name on it, that appeared in my home, and I’m sure there are many like me in that way.
I don’t have a cool story about my many visits to Uncle Hugo’s: I shopped; I browsed around its library-quiet spaces, mostly introvertedly avoiding other customers; I bought many books. As I’ve gotten a little older, I don’t read as much Science Fiction, and went to UH’s less often, but was comforted to know that it was always there, ready for another visit, if I was.
I do enclose a photo that I hope you’ll use somewhere. Once upon a time, I had dozens of these bookmarks, and a few of them lurk on my shelves to this day. They were the only tokens of UH, with that name on it, that appeared in my home, and I’m sure there are many like me in that way.
Photo provided by Chris J.
Written by Randy C.
I first went to Uncle Hugo's in 1976, on Franklin Avenue, when I was 21, after transferring down to UMN from UMD, growing up in small town Silver Bay, MN. Since I had been reading mostly scifi and fantasy since I was in 7th grade, of course I fell in love with the place. I was so excited to finally live in a large town with a good scifi/fantasy bookstore. Since I was a college kid, I looked often and bought when I could. After graduation from UMN, my job assignments took me to several largish cites including Albuquerque, Seattle, Cincinnati, and Omaha, as well as smaller towns. At each of the new locations one of the first things I tried to search out was a good scifi/fantasy store like Uncle Hugo's. Since MPLS and Uncle Hugo's was my first larger city, I pretty much knew I would find other stores such as Uncle Hugo's. Surprise, surprise, I was wrong and never did find another store that approached Uncle Hugo's in size, selection, style, or comaraderie. Seems like Seattle may have had a scifi store, but it was either much smaller, in size and selection and changed, or closed before I left that city. Somewhere else, Albuquerque? or Omaha, had a scifi/fantasy/religious bookstore that also either closed or switched entirely to religious books while I still lived there. Eventually it dawned on me that Uncle Hugo's in Minneapolis was completely original, unique, special, and the biggest and best stocked scifi/fantasy bookstore ever. I pity all the other scifi/fantasy fans growing up in all the other states and cities that have never been able to experience a bookstore like Uncle Hugo's. I understand there may have been one or two actual, real, scifi/fantasy bookstores somewhere, but I never found them. Of course, a lot of this was well before internet, so finding things was harder back then.To this day, I am thankful to my part time job, pumping gas, on Riverside that caused me to drive down Franklin, allowing me to discover Uncle Hugo's. In 2010, I was able to move back to the area, and now live in Duluth. Most trips to the Twin Cities, include a stop at Uncle Hugo's, until recently of course. So, whenever Uncle Hugo's opens up, I plan to "discover" it again and stop in. Thank you Uncle Hugo's for being there for a small town college kid to find and continue to visit for the past 44 years. I am now 65 and still reading scifi and fantasy.
Written by Natalie R.
I and my husband have gladly visited the Uncles for more than 40 years, beginning with the old Franklin Avenue site and continuing on at Chicago Avenue. We began when we lived in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, travelling into the Cities for a variety of bigger city activities. Then, for more than 30 years, we travelled in from Mankato. A visit to Hugo/Edgar's was always a planned stop during any trip we took up to the Cities. As a boy, our now-adult son joined us on many of these trips, delightedly rambling through the aisles, discovering new authors and more works by some of his favorites writers. Scott Imes was always so kind and welcoming to our son's questions and comments. His love of bookstores surely began then.
Long before the internet, the stores' prominent display of customer favorites and highly-recommended books were valuable guideposts. Then, the stores also began publishing lists of recently arrived and forthcoming books--a resource that at first preceded and later supplemented web-based information. A great place to discover and savor mid-list and out-of-print titles, too. I hope that the resurrection of the Uncles is a comfortable success. Now that my husband and I live in Bloomington, I would welcome becoming a regular drop-in and spontaneous purchaser again!
Long before the internet, the stores' prominent display of customer favorites and highly-recommended books were valuable guideposts. Then, the stores also began publishing lists of recently arrived and forthcoming books--a resource that at first preceded and later supplemented web-based information. A great place to discover and savor mid-list and out-of-print titles, too. I hope that the resurrection of the Uncles is a comfortable success. Now that my husband and I live in Bloomington, I would welcome becoming a regular drop-in and spontaneous purchaser again!
Written by Berni P.
I had heard about Uncle Hugo's as a teeenager, who was into science fiction, but was going to the St. Paul Public Library, and purchasing books from B Daltons. It wasn't until my 30's when I had some real discretionary income to spend that I searched them out and started buying books, A stack of books from my supporting hand to the crook of my elbow every visit. I met Mina at St.Paul Neighborhood Network and discovered her Dad was the owner of Uncle Hugo's. I was saddened at the loss of Scott Imes, a fantastic helpful resource for the store. Probably 85% of my 2,000 plus collection of Science Fiction was purchased at Uncle Hugo's. The excitement of reading Iain M.Banks, Peter F. Hamilton, Charles Stross, William Gibson, David Weber, Neal Asher, Jeffrey A. Carver, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, David Brin, Gregory Benford and many more, gave me great joy and mind expanding thrills and Examined many Moral and Ethical problems in interesting ways. I was shocked and sorrowed from the actions of those sub- humans who committed the actions to deprive so many of us from the joy of reading so many great authors. I hope to see you Don ensconced among piles of books again soon.
Written by Scott C.
I am one of the original patrons of Uncle Hugo's. In 1974, while still in high school, I discovered Uncle Hugo’s and bought books at the 2002 4th Ave. S. version of the store (very tiny). In 1980 I was there at the 1934 4th Ave. version of the store when Walter Koenig came to autograph his new book, Chekov’s Enterprise. Throughout the entire 46 years of its operation I made regular treks to stock up on science fiction, even after I moved nearly a hundred miles away.
My fondest memories are conversations over the years with Scott Imes, up until his unexpected (to me anyway) death in 2001. He was one of a kind.
Across the decades I introduced countless fellow readers to Uncle Hugo's and Uncle Edgar's, a task in which I took great pleasure as I watched their eyes light up at first sight of all the books racked and stacked and boxed.
These stores were not just Minnesota landmarks, they were landmarks in the lives of me and probably tens of thousands of people, who thought and hoped they would outlast us, and that up to our own dying breath we could count on being able to find a treasure at our favorite source.
Sadly, and I might add, all too stupidly, a mob of ignorants darkened our days by lighting up the night. Perhaps it is sacrilegious but it seems almost fitting that if the store had to be destroyed, at least it went out with the a bit of science fiction flavor — Fahrenheit 451.
Perhaps we should all take to the woods and memorize books.
My best wishes to Don Blyly as he attempts to overcome this setback and re-establish the business. Might I suggest the new store be entitled “Uncle Hugo’s Phoenix.”
My fondest memories are conversations over the years with Scott Imes, up until his unexpected (to me anyway) death in 2001. He was one of a kind.
Across the decades I introduced countless fellow readers to Uncle Hugo's and Uncle Edgar's, a task in which I took great pleasure as I watched their eyes light up at first sight of all the books racked and stacked and boxed.
These stores were not just Minnesota landmarks, they were landmarks in the lives of me and probably tens of thousands of people, who thought and hoped they would outlast us, and that up to our own dying breath we could count on being able to find a treasure at our favorite source.
Sadly, and I might add, all too stupidly, a mob of ignorants darkened our days by lighting up the night. Perhaps it is sacrilegious but it seems almost fitting that if the store had to be destroyed, at least it went out with the a bit of science fiction flavor — Fahrenheit 451.
Perhaps we should all take to the woods and memorize books.
My best wishes to Don Blyly as he attempts to overcome this setback and re-establish the business. Might I suggest the new store be entitled “Uncle Hugo’s Phoenix.”
Written by D. Cummer
My favorite story about Uncle Hugo’s is from back when it was located across Franklin Avenue from the Electric Fetus and involves one of their long time employees, Scott Imes.
One day a very disturbed person wandered in, and Scott had to —firmly— escort them out. A few seconds after they left Scott opened the door again, and called out “Don’t forget to take your meds!” He went back behind the counter, then said to the person waiting to pay “I figure that’s gonna rattle around in their head for a while, and then’ll pop up when they need the reminder. That’s $8.95, please.”
One day a very disturbed person wandered in, and Scott had to —firmly— escort them out. A few seconds after they left Scott opened the door again, and called out “Don’t forget to take your meds!” He went back behind the counter, then said to the person waiting to pay “I figure that’s gonna rattle around in their head for a while, and then’ll pop up when they need the reminder. That’s $8.95, please.”
Written by S. Smith
Uncle Hugo's/Uncle Edgar's was probably my favorite place in the Twin Cities. I loved the books, the atmosphere and the staff. The bookstore was one my first precious discoveries when I moved to the area in the 1980s. It was also a fun trek as a college student, reoccurring date when I married and the place to take out of town visitors. In addition to the wonderful books, it was filled with Kindred Spirits who understood a love of science fiction and Mysteries. You would find people who could and would talk for hours about beloved authors and characters. Scott would know everyone and make amazing recommendations. I have heard my favorite writers at the Uncles and met new ones.
We had a pattern when we went to the Uncles which was as playful as the treasures we brought home. Doug and I would split to go off on our own adventure quests. There would be laughter when we returned with our arms full of books to find some overlap between us. I remember the areas that I would go first; the 3 'Recommended Books Shelves' (SF, Fantasy and Mystery). In Hugo's, I went to the new paperback books section which often led off on a search for the rest of a series. In Edgar's there was a great award winners section with individualized descriptions. Once this was done I set off on my slow browsing of the shelves. In the early days I used to sit on the floor and read. When I grew older, I borrowed a chair from Don to sit in until Doug was finished. There were a few times I came in with a note asking to buy "a gift certificate for someone who is currently in the store" for Doug's birthday. I am still impressed how quickly and smoothly the staff managed to pull that off. Always there were smiles on our faces.
It was hard to contain the trauma of having this important place ripped away from us. Thank you for this project. I am glad to have our memories captured. I plan to add my books to the growing mountain of donations. Good luck to you Don.
We had a pattern when we went to the Uncles which was as playful as the treasures we brought home. Doug and I would split to go off on our own adventure quests. There would be laughter when we returned with our arms full of books to find some overlap between us. I remember the areas that I would go first; the 3 'Recommended Books Shelves' (SF, Fantasy and Mystery). In Hugo's, I went to the new paperback books section which often led off on a search for the rest of a series. In Edgar's there was a great award winners section with individualized descriptions. Once this was done I set off on my slow browsing of the shelves. In the early days I used to sit on the floor and read. When I grew older, I borrowed a chair from Don to sit in until Doug was finished. There were a few times I came in with a note asking to buy "a gift certificate for someone who is currently in the store" for Doug's birthday. I am still impressed how quickly and smoothly the staff managed to pull that off. Always there were smiles on our faces.
It was hard to contain the trauma of having this important place ripped away from us. Thank you for this project. I am glad to have our memories captured. I plan to add my books to the growing mountain of donations. Good luck to you Don.
Written by P. Budge
Star Trek premiered on my 2nd birthday, which I've always taken as a personal birthday present so when I say my love of what Harlan Ellison calls speculative fiction runs deep, you'll understand why.
I am not from Minnesota but moved here from the west in 1989 and knew little about the area before I moved here other than what I was shown on one 3 day weekend visit. The morning after I moved here, when the friend I was staying with in Uptown had gone to work, I decided that what I needed to do was go out for a walk and get the lay of the land.
Unsurprisingly, I walked directly to Uncle Hugo's as if it had called my name, which I rather believe it did. Walking in to the dusty smell of used books and seeing the piles and stacks and shelves representing the history of SF was a moment of joy and homecoming that is rare. Coming from the mountains, I've gotten lost a lot in my time in the Cities (I keep trying to navigate off the river but the dang thing doesn't always go the same direction and my hindbrain didn't believe that), but the one place I never lost, the one place that I always felt at home and could always, unerringly find, has always been Uncle Hugo's.
Humans are what we are today because of our addiction to the great question, "what if?" SF is the place where we take the time to look at all the "what if's?" and see where they might take us. SF shapes our society and our culture and our world, providing both home and warning about who we are and who we might become.
To walk into Uncle Hugo's was to step into past and present at once, to stand with home and faith and dream of how we can be better. Knowing the store was burned with all those stories and dreams inside is more heart breaking than I can describe.
With all my heart, I hope the store rises again from the ashes, but I will still mourn what was lost that awful night.
I am not from Minnesota but moved here from the west in 1989 and knew little about the area before I moved here other than what I was shown on one 3 day weekend visit. The morning after I moved here, when the friend I was staying with in Uptown had gone to work, I decided that what I needed to do was go out for a walk and get the lay of the land.
Unsurprisingly, I walked directly to Uncle Hugo's as if it had called my name, which I rather believe it did. Walking in to the dusty smell of used books and seeing the piles and stacks and shelves representing the history of SF was a moment of joy and homecoming that is rare. Coming from the mountains, I've gotten lost a lot in my time in the Cities (I keep trying to navigate off the river but the dang thing doesn't always go the same direction and my hindbrain didn't believe that), but the one place I never lost, the one place that I always felt at home and could always, unerringly find, has always been Uncle Hugo's.
Humans are what we are today because of our addiction to the great question, "what if?" SF is the place where we take the time to look at all the "what if's?" and see where they might take us. SF shapes our society and our culture and our world, providing both home and warning about who we are and who we might become.
To walk into Uncle Hugo's was to step into past and present at once, to stand with home and faith and dream of how we can be better. Knowing the store was burned with all those stories and dreams inside is more heart breaking than I can describe.
With all my heart, I hope the store rises again from the ashes, but I will still mourn what was lost that awful night.
Written by "The Walker"
Many years ago my father and I were the only ones living at home. On Saturday's we would go out and take a visit to Uncle Hugo’s bookstore. I didn’t always want to go, I was only around 12 the first time we visited, and we continued for years to visit. Most of the books we now own cane from Uncle Hugo’s and Uncle Edgar’s.
Everything I’ve read from children’s books, to young adult novels, to my favorite series ever all came from your bookstore.
When I learned about what happened during the riots, I was horrified. I hope that things are going better for you now, and that you are financially stable. I wish you all the best.
Thank you all for your service to the city community for years and years. God bless you all.
Everything I’ve read from children’s books, to young adult novels, to my favorite series ever all came from your bookstore.
When I learned about what happened during the riots, I was horrified. I hope that things are going better for you now, and that you are financially stable. I wish you all the best.
Thank you all for your service to the city community for years and years. God bless you all.
Written by Tim G.
I went to Uncle Hugo‘s to fill out my collection of Robert Asprin books. When I got to the counter, the clerk informed me that he had died only a few days earlier. A friend found him in bed, clutching a Terry Pratchett novel. I said that was too bad, but one could do worse than to go while reading a Terry Pratchett novel. The clerk turned to another and said, “Are we putting warning labels on the Pratchett shelves?“
