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Bookstore Closing — Brooklynian

Bookstore Closing

mookie wilson
mookie wilson
edited November -1 in Park Slope
I'm very sad to see one of the two used bookstores on 7th between 2nd and 3rd closing. (I think the one that's closing is called "7th Avenue Books" and the one that'll remain is called "Park Slope Bookstore.") I really enjoyed this place -- it usually had pretty good deals and a fairly interesting selection, and I always felt comfortable browsing. I know the Slope is still going to have two independent bookstores, as well as B&N, but still, a neighborhood can never have enough places to buy books.

I suppose it's not even worth speculating what's going to replace it (realty office? bank?)

Comments

  • drabrabbit
    drabrabbit
    There is a very nice letter from Tom, the owner, here.

    The space is soon to be a vegan restaurant.
  • drea
    drea
    That's a great letter. i'll have to check out their sale.

    A vegan restaurant? How did you find that out?
  • sprite
    sprite
    This makes me sad. But props to Tom for going out with a bang! I'll try to mosey on over there tomorrow night...
  • ljnd
    ljnd
    Actually, the deal with the vegan restaurant fell through. Tom'll be open through the weekend. I'm helping him out this week (I'm between consulting gigs) behind the counter while Tom handles some financial stuff from home. He hasn't been feeling well lately, and so hasn't been around much - but he'll definitely be in for part of the day on Saturday and all day on Sunday because I can't be there and it's just us two at this point.

    So come on down! The bookshelves are for sale as well ($50/ea, bring your own drill to unscrew them from the wall). And the aquarium needs a home. All the books are half off. The leftovers will be donated. If you're a teacher and you're getting books for your classroom, come see me at the counter.
  • livetotravel
    livetotravel
    Is it just me? I would have expected a much more pronounced mea culpa from someone who spent 15 years of his life steamrollering the demise of small independent booksellers across the country. I can't think of one example of more egregious commercialism than large box stores who lack heart, soul, or one single, intelligent, devoted, knowledgeable staff person.

    So goodbye Tom - hope karma doesn't catch up with you.

    P.S. - why don't you start by giving away ALL the books and have no sale at all? In fact, why don't you invite the neighborhood to drop by and designate their favorite places that you can send the books - postage paid.
  • ljnd
    ljnd
    Live to Travel, Tom IS giving away a lot of books - we've donated to schools and charities. But he does have bills to pay - running a shop isn't cheap, and he wasn't exactly making a killing. He's selling off enough stock to pay his bills, and donating what he can.

    And believe me, karma already did catch up with him. So no need to be judgmental or angry - Tom's good people.
  • kaki
    kaki
    Evryone complaints about corporations, yet you are the ones driving them and them putting locasl out, so keep shopping at Barnes and Nobles!!!!
  • sprite
    sprite
    Blaming one man for the demise of independent bookstores across the country is a stretch. It's true B&N can demand better discounts than independents, so it can charge less, but that's not the only reason people shop there. The stores carry way more stock than almost any independent, so when I'm looking for specific books they're often on the shelves. And they have magazines, and cafes, and let you sit for hours and browse their stock. I read a book once in the B&N cafe without buying it. I suspect B&N loses a lot of stock because customers dog-ear it in the store.

    I believe in supporting independents, which is why I bought HP7 at Community and paid full price. I bought many books from both used bookstores on 7th. But I also have a B&N card. Big box stores have their place.
  • brooklynpotter
    brooklynpotter
    i spent some time down there today: all the paperbacks are $1, hardcovers are $2. still lots of everything, including kids and YA books. go down and stock up. (i was glad not to see my book anywhere on the shelves, but pleased to see the chick-lit book of a childhood rival sitting in a stack on the floor. yes, i'm a bitch that way.)
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