343. Brand Stories: ALEMAR'S "The Biggest and Most Modern Book Store in the Far East", 1945

THE SIBALS, Founders of ALEMAR'S, 1945

When couple Dr. Ernesto and Alegria Sibal started selling American books from a one-table store in 1945, little did they know that their business would grow into  “the biggest and most modern bookstore in the Far East” in the 50s and 60s. Their bookshop—ALEMAR’S  was derived from Mrs. Sibal’s name—ALEgria, and the first given name of the Sibal daughters, MARia. 

VISIT ALEMAR'S, 1975 AD

ALEMAR'S, in its heyday, had its main store on Rizal Avenue and branches in Ermita, Recto, Quezon City and Makati. It ventured into printing and publishing in 1950, through its Phoenix Press and Phoenix Publishing House.

DOVER & SUNSET BOOKS, 1978 AD

BY 1975, ALEMAR'S WAS EVEN SELLING KIDDIE CLOTHES!

 ALEMAR’S  carried more than just books—local, imported, textbooks, used books-- it also sold  school and office supplies, toys, men’s, ladies’ and children’s wear, home accessories, magazines and more. Central Book Supply, a division specializing in law books, was also put up. With more aggressive competition from National Bookstore and with heirs leaving for the U.S., ALEMAR'S started closing its shops in the 1980s.

SOURCE: “The Alemar’s Story”, 1961 Philippine Business Progress Report, pp. 24-25.