The Che Guevara Bookstore was a focal point of radical Left activity during the nearly three years of its existence beginning on January 1, 1969. The directorship of the bookstore was changed in September 1969 and again in July 1970; and on February 23, 1970 the bookstore incorporated as the Che Guevara Movement Center. Despite these changes its purpose and function remained constant.
In addition to selling revolutionary socialist literature, the Bookstore served as the headquarters for a number of political organizations including the Young Socialist Alliance, the Socialist Workers Party Campaign Committee, the Madison Committee to End the War in Vietnam, the Student Mobilization Committee, The Committee Against Political Repression, and The G.I. Civil Liberties Defense Committee.
The Bookstore also was a center for forums, movies, and a variety of other political activities until it ceased operations on August 31, 1971.
