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What happened to the used book store on 7th? — Brooklynian

What happened to the used book store on 7th?

wtgirl
edited November -1 in Park Slope
I just walked buy the Used Book STore on 7th and noticed a FOR RENT sign in the window. Are they moving or going out of business. I like that store.

Ugghh, will there be no small eclectic businesses left on 7th?

Comments

  • I THOUGHT there weren't quite enough bank branches on 7th avenue, and I'm glad someone has stepped in to rectify the dire need for more convenient ATM withdrawals. OH BUT WAIT, maybe it will be a realtor's office, THAT would be vibrant and exciting too! Glad I'm getting my money's worth of diversity and big city individualism with this almost unlimited selection of bank branches and realtors.
  • WhyFi wrote: WHAT ARE YOU EFFIN' KIDDIN' ME? HOW CAN ANOTHER BANK BE A GOOD THING? GOD DAMN YUPPIES. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CHECK CASHING PLACE - THEY WERE ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH BEFORE YOU ALL GOT HERE WITH YOUR DOUBLE-WIDE STROLLERS AND DOUBLE-TALL LATTES.
    Duh-huh-huh-huh! :lol:
  • Restless Native wrote: [quote=WhyFi]WHAT ARE YOU EFFIN' KIDDIN' ME? HOW CAN ANOTHER BANK BE A GOOD THING? GOD DAMN YUPPIES. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CHECK CASHING PLACE - THEY WERE ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH BEFORE YOU ALL GOT HERE WITH YOUR DOUBLE-WIDE STROLLERS AND DOUBLE-TALL LATTES.
    Duh-huh-huh-huh! :lol:

    Did I miss something? What are you quoting from? :? :shock:
  • None of the above. The owner, Tom Simon, is selling for reasons having to do with his family, not being priced out or banks coming in or anything like that. He just doesn't have time to run the store anymore. He's looking for a buyer for the whole business, but barring that, he'll sell off his inventory.

    Tom's amazing - he was my boss at Muze and BN.com for many years - a brilliant guy. And his stores were great. I'm sorry to see the business close up as well. I hope someone can buy the whole store.
  • try this website paperbackswap.com
  • seven24 wrote: try this website paperbackswap.com
    Hysterical that you should mention them - I just blogged about them:

    http://www.ljndawson.com/permalink/2007/07/09/PaperBackSwap.html
  • I did check out that website.. very interesting. I am considering joining.. as soon as I start to go through my shelves and set aside books I am willing to part with.
  • veets wrote: I did check out that website.. very interesting. I am considering joining.. as soon as I start to go through my shelves and set aside books I am willing to part with.
    That's always the hardest part!!!!
  • which of the 2 bookstores was this? the one that's a big mess and no one knows how to find anything? or the well-organized one with knowledgeable staff that i'll actually miss? (please say #1)
  • unfortunately sweet tea I think its #2 on your list
  • BrooklynAni wrote: unfortunately sweet tea I think its #2 on your list
    I think so, too. And I've been in (and bought from) both.
  • I used to walk by his original store further down on 7th when I took the F to work, and I spent so much money there, I finally had to cut myself off. When they moved closer to PS 321, their inventory became more focused on children's books, so I didn't go in as often. But it's a great little store. I'm sad to hear he's selling it. :(

    Anyone else notice all the New Yorker cartoons taped to some of the shelves across the counter? I really liked those.
  • sprite wrote: When they moved closer to PS 321, their inventory became more focused on children's books
    I think that may have been mostly because of the new location, but it is worth mentioning that Park Slope Books, which is located next door, doesn't seem to have so much of a kids' section. Never did, I don't think.
    sprite wrote: I'm sad to hear he's selling it.
    I was under the impression that the goal was indeed to sell the store, but I think he hasn't exactly been getting perspective buyers. Hence the "for rent" sign.
    sprite wrote: Anyone else notice all the New Yorker cartoons taped to some of the shelves across the counter? I really liked those.
    Yep. I've seen them, too. New Yorker cartoons are hit-and-miss for me: some of them go way over my head. But most of the ones posted are really good!
  • sprite wrote: I used to walk by his original store further down on 7th when I took the F to work, and I spent so much money there, I finally had to cut myself off. When they moved closer to PS 321, their inventory became more focused on children's books, so I didn't go in as often. But it's a great little store. I'm sad to hear he's selling it. :(

    I think it started as two separate stores and then they closed the one near 9th Street (which was a great store) and consolidated with the other one (which had been a kids' bookstore originally).
  • "sprite" wrote: I used to walk by his original store further down on 7th when I took the F to work, and I spent so much money there, I finally had to cut myself off. When they moved closer to PS 321, their inventory became more focused on children's books, so I didn't go in as often. But it's a great little store. I'm sad to hear he's selling it. :(

    I think it started as two separate stores and then they closed the one near 9th Street (which was a great store) and consolidated with the other one (which had been a kids' bookstore originally).

    An employee told me they had to close the kids store because parents were sprawled all over the store reading the books and the kids were ruining the books (and because they are an independent, they couldn't return them to the publisher)
  • Yeah, unlike B&N, which can return any books it wants, in any condition, and frequently doesn't even get them to the right publisher.
  • WTGirl wrote:

    An employee told me they had to close the kids store because parents were sprawled all over the store reading the books and the kids were ruining the books (and because they are an independent, they couldn't return them to the publisher)
    Most of their stock was used books so I don't think they could have returned them anyway. My daughter used to sell her books there for credit to buy new books.

    Why couldn't they set out a basket of books for kids to look at and handle? Wouldn't that be a better solution than closing the store? Or has B&N now set the precedent that it's fine to mistreat bookstore books?

    When my brothers and I were little, if we were rough with our books, my father would say, "Books are our friends. Be nice to them." I have always remembered that and tried to be nice to my books. I hate when I loan a book to someone and it comes back with the pages dog-eared and coffee-stained. :x
  • The sign in the store stated he was looking for someone to take over the business but if that didn't happen, the shop would close. SAD! It's hasn't been as good since they re-combined the kids store with the grown up store but it's still a sad thing!
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