KORNER & WOOD was one of Cleveland's notable bookstores. An institution in downtown Cleveland, it served as a gathering point for local writers and artists. The store was founded in 1900 at 157 Euclid Ave., near PUBLIC SQUARE, by Harry V. Korner (2 Jan. 1875-20 Oct. 1958) and A. Vinson. Named Vinson & Korner and located at 150 Euclid Ave., the store moved the following year into the Barstow Bldg., 735-737 Euclid Ave., where it remained until 1924. Vinson left the store in 1904; John J. Wood joined Korner in partnership in 1905 but left in 1912. Left with the store and its corporate name, Korner & Wood, Korner was considered the dean of local booksellers. Though modern and progressive, with the latest avant-garde works, the bookstore maintained a charming character and provided individual attention to its customers. Korner had photographs as well as books lining the walls of his 1512 Euclid Ave. store. Houdini and Blackstone visited the store. Sinclair Lewis stopped whenever he was in town, and Elbert Hubbard, founder of the Roycrafters, sold his volumes at Korner & Wood. Korner's son, Harrison K. Korner, took over the family business when his father retired, taking in Ernest F. Crummel as a partner. A small fire in 1959 and a $5,000 theft in 1962 dampened Korner's enthusiasm. He later announced that the downtown store would be closing because of a decline in sales. Following the closing of the downtown store in 1963, Korner still operated branches in Mayfield, Cedar-Fairmount, Cedar-Warrensville, Southland Plaza, and Kamm's Plaza until 1965.
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