Seattle Punk Band Biblioteka Celebrates 50-Year Anniversary of Rainbow Grocery Cooperative

Biblioteka shares their collections of funky shoes, creepy dolls, and Magic: The Gathering cards ahead of their album release party.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Seattle punk band Biblioteka is gearing up to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, the iconic natural foods store in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood. Ahead of Biblioteka's album release party at Neumos on February 12th, the band members shared their personal collections, from Mary Robins' funky shoes to Hexx's creepy doll souvenirs and Jules' extensive Magic: The Gathering card hoard.

Why it matters

Rainbow Grocery has endured for 50 years in a city marked by high retail turnover and the rise of big-box chains, remaining a community-driven, worker-owned cooperative committed to organic and natural foods. Biblioteka's celebration of this milestone reflects the band's own DIY ethos and connection to the independent spirit of San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood.

The details

Biblioteka, led by high-energy vocalist Mary Robins, is known for their punk sound and lyrics about being turned on and pissed off. The band members shared details about their personal collections - Mary's love of statement shoes and boots, Hexx's growing creepy doll souvenirs from touring, and Jules' extensive Magic: The Gathering card hoard. These collections reflect the band's eclectic interests and the ways they've built community through shared passions.

  • Biblioteka is celebrating Rainbow Grocery Cooperative's 50th anniversary this weekend.
  • Biblioteka is holding an album release party at Neumos on February 12th.

The players

Biblioteka

A Seattle-based punk band known for their high-energy sound and lyrics about being turned on and pissed off.

Rainbow Grocery Cooperative

A local natural foods grocery store in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood, organized as an employee-owned co-op and born out of a 1970s grassroots natural food movement.

Mary Robins

The lead vocalist of Biblioteka, known for her collection of funky shoes and boots.

Hexx

A member of Biblioteka who collects creepy doll souvenirs from the band's tours.

Jules

A member of Biblioteka who has amassed a collection of around 2,000 to 3,000 Magic: The Gathering cards.

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What they’re saying

“There's something about stomping around in big, boxy boots that makes me feel like a giant praying-mantis-meets-Barbarella.”

— Mary Robins, Biblioteka vocalist (thestranger.com)

“I started collecting souvenir plush/dolls/toys while out touring, and it all started with a creepy clown that I found in a Portland alley next to a bag of drugs. I left the drugs, took the clown, and proclaimed her name Gweneviere, which also happened to be the name of the venue owner's daughter (who despises clowns). Gweneviere is our unofficial mascot!”

— Hexx, Biblioteka member (thestranger.com)

“Ideally, this collection never gets any bigger. I'd love to just survive for the rest of my Magic career by selling cards if I want to buy more cards. I've got too many of these things.”

— Jules, Biblioteka member (thestranger.com)

What’s next

Biblioteka will hold an album release party at Neumos in Seattle on February 12th to celebrate Rainbow Grocery Cooperative's 50-year anniversary.

The takeaway

Biblioteka's celebration of Rainbow Grocery Cooperative's milestone anniversary reflects the independent spirit and DIY ethos that have allowed both the band and the iconic San Francisco natural foods store to thrive in the face of corporate consolidation and changing retail landscapes.