Notable people that have visited Kramer's include Barack Obama, Andy Warhol, Maya Angelou, and Monica Lewinsky, whose purchases at the bookstore attracted national attention during the Lewinsky scandal investigation and led to a high-profile legal battle.

[6] Kramer wanted to open a business that provided customers a place to eat and read, what he described as "two of the three most enjoyable human activities."

[7] In its early history, Kramers was open 24 hours and soon became a popular destination for neighborhood residents, authors, and politicians.

The owners would have fresh bagels from New York delivered to Washington, D.C.'s Greyhound station because they could not find any decent ones in the area.

After U.S. District Judge Norma Holloway Johnson ordered Kramer's management to hand over the information to Starr, they declined and said they were ready to take the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

[11] Despite the decline in the independent bookstore industry, Kramers has continued to draw in customers looking for an intimate setting, live music, author events, and full bar.

"[1][3][4][16] Notable people that have visited Kramers include President Barack Obama and his daughters who shopped at the store in 2011 on Small Business Saturday.

[18] Other celebrities that have visited include Maya Angelou, Andy Warhol, Toni Morrison, and Margaret Cho.

[21] Salis oversaw an expansion and renovation of the business that included purchasing the adjoining building previously occupied by Willie T’s Lobster Shack.

[22][23] In April 2020, Salis set up a pop-up take out and delivery of his BBQ sandwich franchise, the Federalist Pig, in the Afterwords Cafe.

In August 2020, he changed the name of Afterwords Cafe to All Day by Kramers, with a menu designed by Chef Vincent Griffith.