Robert John, owner of Renaissance Book Shop, stands outside his store Wednesday at 834 N. Plankinton Ave. Credit: Mike De Sisti

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The city has shut down Renaissance Book Shop on N. Plankinton Ave., a haven for some bibliophiles and a long-standing eyesore to many neighbors.

An engineer's inspection found structural problems with the building, 834 N. Plankinton, said Doug Krimmer, building codes enforcement supervisor for the city.

"There were some issues with the (building support) columns being out of line," Krimmer said. "I don't know how much out of line, but it was enough that the engineer felt that some corrective measures should be taken."

Krimmer said the city issued its order Wednesday. The front door of the used book store is posted with a notice saying the building must remain vacant until it complies with city code.

"We don't want anybody in the building, including Mr. John," Krimmer said, referring to Renaissance owner Robert John, who for years has scrapped with the city and let nonstructural code violations for such things as missing windows stand uncorrected.

John could not be reached immediately on Thursday.

John has owned the decaying, partly boarded, four-story building since the 1970s. He also operates the used book shop at Mitchell International Airport.