Haslam's concert moved, rescheduled after owners speak out

State of play: The owners of the St. Petersburg institution, which closed during the pandemic and hasn't reopened, broke their years-long silence to urge fans not to attend the concert, the St. Pete Catalyst reported.

• In response, Bergson told Axios that he respects their boundaries and will be rescheduling the show to Sept. 13 at The Nest at St. Pete Brewing.

What they're saying: "We are grateful that so many people still love Haslam's," owners Ray Hinst and Suzanne Haslam Hinst told the Catalyst in a statement. (Axios could not reach them for comment Thursday afternoon.)

• The concert "was not planned or authorized by our family. The organizer has not asked us for permission and has no connection to the store. The lot is private property and is not open for a public event," they said.
• "There will be no concert on this property. Please do not enter the parking lot. Anyone on the property without permission will be asked to leave."

Catch up quick: Haslam's opened in 1933 and moved to the well-known Central Avenue storefront in 1964, per the Catalyst.

• In 2021, after the bookstore's Google status was changed to "permanently closed," co-owner Ray Hinst said the family was "still undecided about reopening," the Tampa Bay Times reported.

• They've been mum on plans for the shop — and the prime real estate it sits on — ever since.

Enter Bergson, who this year started selling Haslam's-themed T-shirts and zines with the long-shot goal of reopening the store. He advertised his efforts on Instagram @spnchspnch.

• Bergson said Thursday he was thrilled to get a response from the owners and remains hopeful for a conversation.

The bottom line: "We are very happy to finally hear from the family in some way even if not directly," he told Axios.

• "It means they have been watching."