Comments about ‘Utah bookseller Sam Weller dies at 88’

I loved going to Sam Wellers! I could always find the book I wanted that was out of print or the friendly staff would help me find it elsewhere!! I'm sure there will be many authors in heaven who will happily welcome him and thank him for continuing on their legacies :) RIP Mr. Weller

Sam Weller performed a great service to the Salt Lake and LDS communities. May he rest in peace.

Thanks for the wonderful years of service, Sam. When I moved to Utah 30 years ago, discovering your store was the first thing that made me feel "at home." I knew if there was a great book store, the rest would grow on me. :o)

I remember how taboo Weller's store seemed at the time (1970). He had Bookcraft selections and "Lectures on Faith" with the blue paperback cover when Deseret Book seemed to avoid some of the more controversial tomes.

What a great guy. His store is such a landmark for SLC. I once interviewed him for the college newspaper, one of the best conversations I've ever had. He graciously gave me two books, including, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. God speed Sam.

and he touched so many others..

Sam was wonderful. Every community needs to have someone like him and a bookstore like the one he created.

Sam, thanks for the memories. When I wanted a older book I usually could find it. We'll miss you.

I never went to Weller's without finding what I was looking for, and more that I didn't know I wanted. And Sam was right there assisting me in my search, and always knew where the requested book would be. He was the best!

Sam Weller was my Uncle and I will miss him greatly. He was very giving and cared about people, much like his late sister Rachel, who was my mother. I appreciate his hard work and dedication to the book store. Thanks for making the world a better place Uncle Sam.

Truly an amazing Man! I never miss visiting Sam's when I am in town and seeing or asking about him. He gave me my first set of Shakespeare plays. Helped to bolster my love of books! He will be, and already is deeply missed!

Many years ago I was looking for a particular book. Mr. Weller escorted me all over the store looking for the volume. We went through the shelves, storage areas in the basement, and even up to the attic. All this to help me find the $5 book I wanted. It wasn't about the money for Mr. Weller it was about serving a coustomer, something you can't find at the new book stores.

Thank you Sam, you will be missed. God bless you. Rest in Peace.

I will miss you Uncle Sam though I have not seen you for a few years. I am sorry that we do not get to say good bye to you. Diane

A great man! it was a privilege working for Sam and later his son Tony...I have many fond memories.
My condolences to the family.

A real prince, and not just in the world of books. Sam befriended me from age 13 on, knew what I liked and always had something to show me - especially foreign versions of the Bible, Mormon scriptures and hymnbooks. I found more than one real treasure. Sometimes he even gave in to my juvenile pleading for a price break. I have him to thank, in part, for my career path in life. In later years, on my visits to SLC from out of state, he always had a warm greeting for my wife and me, asked about my doings. The last time I saw him, a year ago at a restaurant,I heard him at a neighboring table regaling his companions with one of his lively anecdotes. Unmistakable! His voice and handshake were strong, and he still remembered me.
I think Sam himself won't mind if I also make fond mention of another mentor of my youth, his longtime friendly competitor on East 2nd South, Gene Wilson (died in 1986).
Bless their memory.

I've always felt so lucky to live in a city with a great independent bookstore and I think that's because of Sam's vision and hard work. It's a great loss to the community but hopefully he will live on through his store.

I think I grew up in Sam's store. He was always ready to help me with all my projects. When my book came out, he and Tony hosted a reading, and he often took me to lunch with Lila when I was in town. He would save up clippings for me, and his staff would find me places to rest when I flagged after sorting through his treasures. I knew his father and his sisters who lived near my childhood home. His sister Miriam was in my wedding line. When I accidentally slammed his hand in the car door, he forgave me instantly, claiming it hadn't closed on anything important. Whatever will I do without you, Sam?

This was one of Utah's great citizens. His work and passion benefitted so many of us. What a great gift his life was for the entire community. God bless him. He will be missed.

Whenever I'm in Salt Lake City, I'm always sure to stop by his bookstore. You locals should be proud to have such a quality indie business in your city, and it sounds like he was a nice guy as well.

RIP

It was magic to visit the store's rare LDS book section in the 1970s. As I look at my bookshelves now, the doctrinal and historical volumes that will not eventually be culled as I acquire new things all came from Zion Bookstore. I did not know Sam personally, but I have always been a great admirer of the Salt Lake institution he built. Sam Weller is Main Street.