Fire doesn't stop shoppers for rare, used books at landmark Oklahoma City bookstore

“If the fire had gotten to these books, the majority of them are older books, so they are drier,” Walker said. “It would have been a really big fire.”

The fire put a dent in her Christmas season business. A number of customers said they would rather wait until the electricity was restored and the heat back on before trying to shop for books.

Aladdin Book Shoppe opened downtown in 1930. For many years it was located at NW 24 and N Pennsylvania Avenue before moving to the Mayfair location.

Despite smoke and water damage to the building, most of the books are intact and only three books appeared damaged from water that leaked from the ceiling, Walker said

She said this was the second fire in recent years that started in the awning.

Fire investigators have not determined the exact cause, but it could be electrical.

Walker said the shop will remain open despite the fire.

“It's chilly and dark but we're doing business by flashlight and headlamp. I'm providing the headlamps,” Walker said.