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February 11, 2008
StreetLevel: Park Slope Bookstore Thriving
While other small Park Slope bookstores drop like flies, the Community Bookstore on 7th Avenue between Carroll and Garfield is doing banner business, according to a report on Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn. Sales at the shop are up over 40 percent from the same period last year, when the store was facing a serious financial crisis. The crisis has been solved—at least temporarily—because of a novel (har) funding structure: 12 investors, including John Turturro, have put up cash to keep the Community Bookstore in business. The shop’s owner, Catherine Bohne, is ecstatic about the establishment’s new lease on life: “It feels a bit like having been a Dodo, translated (oh, Bottom!) to a Phoenix.”
Park Slope Bookstores's Success [OTBKB] GMAP
The Book Angels [NY Times]
Slope Losing Another Small Bookstore [Brownstoner]
Photo by Kate Leonova for PropertyShark.
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Comments
So glad to hear this news.
I think we just had a few too many book stores in PS and now it's just right.
I know I've made a conscious decision in 2008 to not buy Chinese goods, if at all possible and I stop at the Community Bookstore to see if I book I want is in stock before going over to the dreaded Barnes and Noble.
So far, the only reason I've set foot in there this year is to take a leak.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 3:02 PM
What if the book in the Community Bookstore is printed in China?
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 3:11 PM
yeah, that's a problem, 3:11.
notice i said...if at all possible...
not an exact science. just trying to do what i think is right.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 3:16 PM
I am a long-time resident of the Slope who had stayed away from the store during the long period that it was devoting half its window to posting -- in my view --radical left-wing diatribes. I found them offensive, and didn't want to give my (considerable) book business to a store that gave such a high priority to shrill politicking.
Well, now the diatribes are gone and the store is getting more business -- including some of mine. Am I the only one who sees a connection here?
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 3:42 PM
I've always shopped here.
So, so far...yes...you are the only one who sees a connection, 3:42.
If there are establishments that want to make a case for politics and be passionate about something, I believe community bookstores are the place for it. Especially seeing as Park Slope is about 90% liberal.
I believe the much improved selection and the closing of two other nearby bookstores are the cause for the increased business.
But you can believe what you want.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 3:47 PM
"Am I the only one who sees a connection here?"
I don't know of any connection but that turned me off as well..well, that and the slim selection.
Another thing that turns me off this place are the window selections. Is it really appropriate to have books titled "Hand Job" and "Do Me" in the window in what everyone knows is a neighborhood full of families with young kids.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 7:41 PM
3:02, I hope you made it to the bathroom!
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 7:50 PM
Is this related to the Community Bookstore at Warren and Court in Cobble Hill?
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 8:57 PM
Bookstore's on life support just like the economy.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 10:35 PM
8:57, if I'm remembering the story correctly, the original owners of both bookstores were a former couple. I don't know if there were two stores that they split between the two of them, or if they agreed to each open a separate store using the name.
I think the first Community Books was actually gentrified out of Brooklyn Heights in the 80s, if I'm not mixing up my local bookstore stories.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 11:07 PM
barnes and noble is doomed unless theres another harry potter book.
Posted by: slick at February 12, 2008 3:01 AM
"If there are establishments that want to make a case for politics and be passionate about something, I believe community bookstores are the place for it."
I'm sure if a bookstore had displays calling for the outlaw of abortion or an increase in the use of capital punishment you'd be singing a different tune.
Posted by: guest at February 12, 2008 9:43 AM
"I am a long-time resident of the Slope who had stayed away from the store during the long period that it was devoting half its window to posting -- in my view --radical left-wing diatribes. I found them offensive, and didn't want to give my (considerable) book business to a store that gave such a high priority to shrill politicking.
Well, now the diatribes are gone and the store is getting more business -- including some of mine. Am I the only one who sees a connection here?"
Personally, I find Barnes and Noble much more offensive. Let's see, what did B&N do after 9/11? Oh yeah, they closed the store and hung a big American flag in the window. Catherine, on the other hand, provided a meeting place for the community. She posted news in the window, collected donations of supplies, and provided an outlet for people that wanted to help but didn't know how. The Community Bookstore has done more for the community than B&N. But I can see why you'd rather give your "considerable" book business to a corporation that doesn't give 2 figs for the neighborhood.
Posted by: caseopele at February 13, 2008 11:02 PM
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