Quirky Books encampment court ordered to clear out 

People living in a homeless encampment outside a local bookstore will have to pack their bags in the next two weeks, thanks to a court order released Thursday. 

That homeless encampment, located in the parking lot of Quirky Books a block off Central, has drawn controversy as neighboring businesses decry it as enabling drug use and violence, while supporters defend it as a humanitarian act.

“I am disappointed by the court’s ruling and am saddened that we will no longer be able to shelter our unhoused neighbors,” said Gillam Kerley, the bookstore’s owner.

During a court hearing Thursday, state 2nd Judicial District Court Judge Nancy Franchini ordered that the encampment clear out by Jan. 20.

The order upheld an emergency injunction sought by the city of Albuquerque two days after a fatal shooting was reported outside the bookstore in November. That request alleged that the encampment's presence was causing “irreparable harm.”

Kerley said he plans to meet with his attorneys Friday to discuss how to move forward.

The court-ordered eviction comes just weeks after a large fire tore through the encampment, destroying several tents and the belongings of homeless people living there. No one was injured in the blaze.

The fire also blackened a telephone pole, knocked out the internet and damaged a neighboring business’ fence.

Local business owners said that the court order marks an end to years of strife with the neighboring encampment.

“Thank goodness, hallelujah,” said Alfredo Barrenechea, who owns Absolute Investment Realty, which shares a property line with Quirky. “Two years of literal hell will be coming to an end soon.”

As for the city, it hopes to use the order as an opportunity to get people into shelters and treatment through the Albuquerque Community Safety department.

“The City has built hundreds of shelter beds, and there is no need for anyone to remain in these circumstances,” according to a statement sent by the city and attributed to a city legal department spokesperson.

Gillian Barkhurst is the local government reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com or on Twitter @G_Barkhurst.