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December 13, 2007
Closing Bell: A Peek at BookCourt's Expansion
The folks at BookCourt let us check out the progress on their store expansion, which is expected to be finished sometime in February. The new space, which is in the back of the existing shop, is going to have a coffee bar underneath a large skylight (see pic on jump). Nice to see an indie bookstore getting bigger and better while others drop like flies, no? GMAP
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Comments
I have never been to this book store but now that I know and its expanding I will definitely check it out. I agree, its nice to see the smaller bookstores surviving.
Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 4:19 PM
This is great, I live across the street and am thrilled to see they're expanding. It shows what quality service and a friendly staff can do as this place survives within just a few blocks of a Barnes & Noble. I'm sure their coffee bar will also do banner business even though it's located next to a Starbucks.
Of course, it doesn't hurt to be located in a neighborhood where people have money to burn.
Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 4:29 PM
I love BookCourt. It makes me happy just thinking about it.
Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 4:40 PM
This is a terrifc book store.
Posted by: Boerum Hill at December 13, 2007 4:56 PM
But what effect will AY have?
Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 4:59 PM
Yes, great to see this excellent store getting bigger. As a publishing person I once got to peek into the old space. It was a huge rear extension that looked like an old greenhouse but in completely falling down condition. But I believe this area of Cobble Hill was famous for its wholesale fruit and vegetable markets back in the day (ie. the early years of the 20th century). Similar rear extensions can be seen on ward maps of the neighborhood. Presumably the old structure I saw was a remnant of that era. Perhaps someone can confirm this? Hey, Kevin Walsh, you out there, man?
Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 5:24 PM
Don't know about that, but one of the storefronts now occupied by Bookcourt used to be a flower shop, which I think had greenhouse space behind it. The flower shop was used as a location in the movie Moonstruck. (Cher worked there.) Bookcourt took over the space sometime in the 90's, in an earlier expansion.
Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 8:19 PM
The staff is not kowledgable here and the selection is slanted toward best sellers. An independent book store in name and trappings only.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 6:41 AM
Slanted towards BEST SELLERS?????? Are you an idiot? Bookcourt has never sold a Danielle Steele book. The "Best Seller" area occupies one wall, or are you confusing Best Sellers with NEW FICTION. They aren't The Strand or Rizzoli or a rare book room and they don't try to be. They have filled a void in this area for years and have managed to stay a float even with B&N a block away. B&N tucks the Paris Review and the like behind the magazines. I am sorry, but, you are completely wrong. They have just the right amount of everything and a nice Children's section. I'm not happy about the expansion including a coffee bar. I would prefer a place to sit..
And " a neighborhood with money to burn"??? What are you talking about??? What does that mean? You must have moved here 2 minutes ago. What does that mean???? Go back to West 77th Street and never come back.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 8:09 AM
Yes I am an idiot, thanks for being so polite. Glad to have you in the neighborhood.
Their staff knows little about books. Their shelves are stocked with mainstream books. That's my opinion. Please be more polite.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 10:08 AM
the staff is better than any other bookstore in the city, in my opinion. bookcourt features tons of independent & university press books, and they have their OWN bestseller list, which reflects what the neighborhood is reading. their selection is by no means comparable to a bestseller driven chain environment.
and i hear that they are expanding the children's section to be 4 x the size.
bookcourt is truly independent, and they have been there for almost 30 years, so name and trappings only? get a handle ...
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 10:53 AM
6:41 You obviously never spent time there --listening to staff and neighbors discussing authors, recommending books, etc. You can come in for a quick gift and learn about authors, art etc.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 11:11 AM
Yep, I also can't figure out how anyone would begrudge them the adjective "independent". Their selection is far from mainstream, with lots of local authors, great staff picks, interesting magazines, small presses given more emphasis than the latest bestsellers, etc. And they will special order more obscure titles, if you wish.
Posted by: Carol Gardens at December 14, 2007 11:13 AM
I'd be more likely to shop there -- in fact, I'd LIKE to shop there -- if the staff didn't come off as bunch of smug, arrogrant (yes, it's redundant, but it needs to be stressed), unhelpful graduate students with a hope-for MFA as a butt plug.
Someone should tell the owner that his or her staff have driven us online or elsewhere. Which is a shame.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 11:26 AM
6:41, you obviously don't know what you're talking about or perhaps you're thinking of some other bookstore. I've been patronizing BookCourt since they opened, and the shop is not...and never was...what you say it is. I have always enjoyed BookCourt's expert and well-edited selection of books and admired the staff's knowledge. Sorry, but you're very wrong.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 12:17 PM
Book Court is the best! Yes, that space was a florist with a large rear greenhouse years ago. Best of luck to Hebryu, Mary & Zak
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 12:41 PM
The area where the expansion is going was indeed the greenhouse of the old-time florist Fitzsimmons & Rooney. The last Rooney was Congressman Rooney, eventually replaced by Liz Holtzman, who had held office so long that the neighborhood joke in 1972 was that Congress Street was named for him.
And indeed, it is a totally independent bookstore, with truly helpful help and an eccentric stock. Good people.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 4:30 PM
The area where the expansion is going was indeed the greenhouse of the old-time florist Fitzsimmons & Rooney. The last Rooney was Congressman Rooney (eventually replaced by Liz Holtzman), who had held office so long that the neighborhood joke in 1972 was that Congress Street was named for him.
And indeed, it is a totally independent bookstore, with truly helpful help and an eccentric stock. Good people.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 4:33 PM
i would say that the staff, selection, etc. has improved over the years (many years) and this expansion seems to be led on by proxy of those improvements! i mean, this store has stood ground again the wall-mart of books just two blocks away! how many independent bookstores can pull that off? tehy are doing something right.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 5:00 PM
i think that guy wants HIS mfa
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 5:03 PM
Great news.
I patronize BookCourt as often as I can, and the staff has always been fantastic and had wonderful recommendations.
Love the cafe idea.
Posted by: guest at December 14, 2007 11:23 PM
Actually Liz Holtzman replaced Emmanuel Celler. Wasn't it Fred richmond who took over Rooney's seat?
Posted by: guest at December 17, 2007 10:24 PM
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