Discovery of Unstable Chemicals at Iconic Bookstore
John K. King Used & Rare Books in Detroit faced an unexpected emergency on the morning of Aug. 31, 2026. A routine cleaning session revealed two antique glass bottles containing potentially hazardous chemicals. These items originated from a pharmacy collection purchased several decades ago. The store, a local landmark located on West Lafayette Boulevard, briefly suspended operations as a direct result of this discovery.
Janelle Spann, a long-term volunteer at the store, identified the primary hazard. While organizing the inventory, she encountered a bottle labeled from 1901 that contained picric acid. Spann, who holds an undergraduate degree and previous professional experience as a medical technician, recognized the substance. She recalled that picric acid becomes volatile when it dries out or solidifies. Her background provided the necessary context to assess the situation before the store opened for the day.
Response from Detroit Authorities
Spann took the initiative to inform the Detroit Fire Department at their Fort Street station around 8:45 a.m. Monday. She sought professional guidance on how to safely dispose of the items. Following her report, authorities determined the situation required specialized intervention. The Detroit Fire Department deployed its bomb squad to the bookstore location, which sits near the John C. Lodge Freeway.
Corey McIsaac, the media relations director for the fire department, confirmed the arrival of the bomb squad to handle the chemical containers. First responders established a safety perimeter, resulting in temporary road closures around the store property to protect the public. Spann remained stationed down the road while John K. King and another staff member sheltered in a separate building on the property. According to Spann, the responding officers provided her with water and a place to wait while they performed their duties.
Resolution and Store Operations
The bomb squad successfully removed the two bottles containing the chemicals. With the threat removed, the authorities lifted the road closures. The store, which typically opens its doors at 11 a.m., resumed business shortly after that time. King reported that the store was fully operational by roughly 11:30 a.m. No injuries occurred during the process, and the structural integrity of the multi-story building remained unaffected.
This incident highlights the challenges of managing antique inventory that includes historical pharmacy supplies. John K. King Used & Rare Books houses over a million volumes across its four floors, drawing collectors from across the region. The bookstore is known for its vast, maze-like layout and its role as a cultural anchor in downtown Detroit. The store management plans to continue its standard operations while remaining vigilant about the contents of its eclectic antique collections. For the time being, the focus shifts back to the millions of books awaiting readers.