Here’s some good news for nerds across New York: most independent booksellers in The Big Apple are thriving. Borders went bankrupt and closed all of its Manhattan stores. High rents forced Barnes & Noble to shutter many of its stores in the city. Meanwhile, ebooks, which used to be popular but have since declined, comprise only about 20% of the market. Print sales, meanwhile, have stayed relatively strong.
Kendra Drischler via FlickrIndie bookstore have filled the void, and they remain open because customers get a unique experience–leisurely looking at the shelves of books, finding a gem you forgot all about–that rarity you can’t fine online. So we decided to take an indie bookstore tour around New York to see why they’re so special and how they’re adapting to the digital age.
Dan Love via Flickr, Astoria BookshopAstoria Bookshop (31-29 31st St, Queens)
Our first stop is still pretty new to town, but they’ve made quite the splash in a little over three years. Astoria Bookshop has thrived, not only due to the lack of competition, but also because they’ve fostered a close relationship with Queens. In fact, that’s the goal of all the bookstores we visited. They’ve become a community literary center with author readings, book clubs, and storytelling sessions for kids.
BookCourtBookCourt (163 Court St, Brooklyn)
Brooklyn is the bookworm’s Shangri-La—a haven for hipsters, students, bibliophiles, and old school intellectuals alike. At BookCourt in Cobble Hill, we were surprised to find that most bestsellers were 30% off, and they also host author events nearly every day. BookCourt is unique in that it has book clubs. It also puts a spotlight on new work by local authors.
Community Bookstore via FacebookCommunity Bookstore (143 7th Ave, Brooklyn)
This local institution in Park Slope has been around since the 1970s, featuring readings almost every night. We spoke to one of the owners, Ezra, about the fate of indies and he said that stores like his thrive because they “provide a place for customers to engage with books, talk about them, and discover new ones.” They have a nice garden on the property, not to mention a resident cat and turtle.
St. Mark's via FacebookSt. Mark’s (136 E 3rd St, Manhattan)
Then we went to an indie institution that’s been around since 1977. They specialize in art and photography books and academic works. In 2011, high rent caused St. Mark’s Bookshop to relocate to a less-expensive location in East Village, yet it’s still a challenge to stay in the black. That’s somewhat of a different story than the other indies we visited, but a common problem faced by booksellers across America. Still, owner Robert Contant believes in indies because “customers need a connection to books and publishers need a place to showcase the new books they’re releasing, which just can’t happen on Amazon.”
Housing WorksHousing Works Bookstore Cafe (126 Crosby St, Manhattan)
Our next stop took us to SoHo. HW is a great place for those who want to buy used books in good condition at a discounted price. While the store doesn’t carry current titles, it does look like a movie-set library with wood paneling, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves spread over two floors, and two dramatic curling staircases. Order a latte at the in-store café, which offers plenty of chairs and tables. You’ll also be doing a good deed since all proceeds from the café go to providing support services for homeless people living with HIV/AIDS.
Slowpoke Taiwan via Flickr, McNally JacksonMcNally Jackson Books (52 Prince St, Manhattan)
McNally in Nolita offers many author events, a book club, an in-store café, and a staff that seems to know every book ever written. Despite these features that distinguish them from mainstream outlets, the challenge is to attract new customers, which many booksellers agree is hard to do. But there’s a “need for spaces like McNally that can’t be replicated on Amazon,” Kevin Cassem, a bookseller, told us. He also said “print is definitely coming back.”
Indeed. All the stores we talked to said that physical books can’t be replicated because book readers like the heft and durability of a real book, as well as the jacket covers. The book is yours for your entire life, and you can put it on a bookshelf to remind you of a time in your life when you read it, which you can’t do with an e-book. The book is an extension of your life, a link to your past experiences and journeys.
Book Reviews Lite, Three LivesThree Lives & Company (154 W 10th St, Manhattan)
Three Lives was nearby, so we walked to it. The store features the latest in fiction and non-fiction. In the heart of the West Village, Three Lives somehow has managed to survive while a nearby Barnes & Noble closed. It comes down to a knowledgeable staff who can hand-sell books to customers in a world of information-overload. Perhaps this is why Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham called Three Lives “one of the greatest bookstores on the face of the Earth.”
The Odyssey Online, The StrandThe Strand (28 Broadway, Manhattan)
Our last stop brought us back to East Village. The Strand’s claim to fame is having 18 miles of books. That’s plain to see with towering bookshelves on three levels as well as the basement. Besides new releases, most books are discounted because they’re used. The Strand is the best way to find forgotten titles, as well as out-of-print issues. One floor is devoted to art and children’s selections, and another floor features contemporary first-editions. They’re also known for hosting very famous authors.
Our trek covered some ground, but we barely scratched the surface of NYC’s literary scene. After going to a few indies and hearing about their struggles, we don’t think we can ever go back to Amazon or B&N.com. We might have to shell out more than we’d like, but in return we’ll feel part of the book club and the community as a whole.
What’s your favorite bookstore in NYC?
[Featured Image: Gad via Flickr]
The post The Nerd’s Guide to NYC Indie Bookstores appeared first on UpOut Blog.
