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September 19, 2008

Fort Greene Bookstore Has Support, Needs Space

rainbowbooks_0908.jpg
What does Fort Greene really need? A bookstore, according to a survey by the Fort Greene Retail Association; some 75 independent bookstores have shuttered their doors since 2000. Now, a 29-year-old Park Slope resident named Jessica Stockton Bagnulo plans to defy the odds and open her own shop there, an endeavor that seems to have the neighborhood summoning community optimism in this time of economic blahs. Bagnulo suffers from a lack of wealthy pals and investors, but not from lack of support. She won a coveted $15,000 prize from Citibank for small businesses, cozied up to other successful indie bookstores in the city and eventually hooked up with the Fort Greene Indie Bookstore Initiative, an offshoot of the Fort Greene Retail Association, the NY Times reports. This week, the group threw Bagnulo a party at BAM, replete with Brooklyn's literary stars, donated booze and sushi. So, now that they've got the hype and the pat on the back by Brooklyn's cultural institutions, all they need is the space. Anybody got an affordable storefront to rent?
A Woman Dreams of Opening Bookstore, Defying Trends [NY Times]
A Rainbow of Books. Photo by Dawn Endico.




Posted by lisa at 8:58 AM | Comments (30)
Categories: Fort Greene, Retail

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Ft. Greene needs a barbershop.

Posted by: diego at September 19, 2008 9:14 AM

I don't understand why it's so hard to find space. How about just doing it on Fulton Street in Clinton Hill. Help make over that horrible stretch.

Posted by: guestula at September 19, 2008 9:48 AM

And a Starbucks.

It's not that I don't support local businesses, or want people not to realize their dreams, but frankly, a Barnes & Noble that could afford a large retail space and could also afford to pay its employees a living wage with benefits would probably be a better asset to the neighborhood.

Also, for the cost of the benefit, couldn't they have done something wacky like, oh, I don't know... opened the bookstore?

It's a shame the Border's deal at One Hanson Place fell through.

Posted by: Heather at September 19, 2008 9:48 AM

Good luck to her.

Posted by: Polemicist at September 19, 2008 9:56 AM

Is it just me or do those books look color coded.

Posted by: Adam Dahill at September 19, 2008 9:59 AM

This is so great! Blue books are my favorite!

Posted by: superstooper at September 19, 2008 10:03 AM

Compare Barnes & Noble on Court St. w/ Book Court. If all you want is what everyone has I guess you'll go to B&N, but if you like an eclectic selection & the availability of mass market paperbacks instead of the same book in the high-priced spread, a small, independent wins every time.

Posted by: Arkady at September 19, 2008 10:10 AM

Wow, and I thought I was anal sorting my dress shirts in accordance with the light spectrum, ROYGBIV.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 19, 2008 10:13 AM

Doesn't everyone actually buy their books from Amazon?

Posted by: superstooper at September 19, 2008 10:15 AM

Biff,

Read as "anal snorting". Funny!

Posted by: superstooper at September 19, 2008 10:18 AM

In all seriousness, when I see books arranged by color or size, I immediately think that the people don't really read. I love the idea of any new bookstore and support it with well-wishes but how would you actually find something there?

Posted by: superstooper at September 19, 2008 10:21 AM

superstooper, you sort your shirts how you want it and I'll do what works for me! :-)

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 19, 2008 10:27 AM

I re-read it twice too Biff. I saw anal snorting the first time as well and thought where's he going with this?

Posted by: TownhouseLady at September 19, 2008 10:38 AM

I would love, love, love a bookstore in Ft Greene. We usually walk over to Book Court, but it'd be nice if we didn't have to go so far.

The only open retail space that I know of is on Fulton where the New Orleans restaurant used to be, but I'm sure the rent is a fortune.

Posted by: bjm1977 at September 19, 2008 10:41 AM

Biff and T-Lady,

Buttseks snark is the best kind. Always.

J.

Posted by: superstooper at September 19, 2008 10:41 AM

What about L'Epicerie, now that they've folded? That would make a great space for a bookstore, and it's right around the corner from Tillie's which sometimes hosts readings. They could team up and become the literary hub of F.G.

Posted by: Vanderman at September 19, 2008 10:46 AM

Speaking of Book Court, when are they opening the extension?

Posted by: GHB at September 19, 2008 10:48 AM

I second questula who suggested looking further east on Fulton, past Vanderbilt in Clinton Hill. Still accessible to FG an CH as well, and the rent would likely be cheaper. As the Fulton Street BID comes into swing, would be a good place to be as well.

Posted by: 1842 at September 19, 2008 10:48 AM

Thanks for your thoughts! I'm the prospective bookstore owner, and I'm working with realtors, the Fort Greene Indie Bookstore Initiative, and leads from the survey we passed out at the party to find a great space. I'd love any input I can get -- you can comment or email me on the bookstore blog, www.abookstoreinbrooklyn.blogspot.com. It's great to see the support for this bookstore in the neighborhood - not only do indie bookstores have the potential to be more unique and tailored to their neighborhood, but tons of studies show that locally owned businesses bring a far higher percentage of profits back into the local economy. And with so many authors, publishers, and readers, Fort Greene is a bookstore neighborhood waiting to happen!

(And just for the record: I have no idea where that picture came from. I've worked in bookstores for eight years and I'm always baffled when someone asks "Do you have that one book, it's blue...")

Posted by: booknerdnyc at September 19, 2008 11:01 AM

Since the shop isn't open yet, it's unlikely the photo is from it.

Posted by: Arkady at September 19, 2008 11:33 AM

It seems like there are a few vacant storefronts on Myrtle in Ft Greene. It would be so great to have a bookstore in the neighborhood.

Posted by: brooklynfamily at September 19, 2008 12:40 PM

I like Vanderman's suggestion--Tillies and book shop team up!

Posted by: wasder at September 19, 2008 12:56 PM

So many people talk about supporting these small local businesses, then get online to save two bucks. Bookstores need a lot of square footage and if you sell used books, you need an online presence. Did you know that between B&N and Borders, they have locked up 90% of the retail (not counting online). So put your money where your blog mouth is.

Posted by: Iknow at September 19, 2008 1:02 PM

booknerdnyc-Are you planning to sell used books as well as new books at your bookstore? I myself usually buy new books online to save money, but I'm a sucker for used book stores. The prices are more reasonable and I'd love to have a place to trade in old books.

Posted by: chnewbie at September 19, 2008 2:13 PM

What about the old Cellars spot on Dekalb? That has been empty for 2 years already. Does anyone know whats going on with it?

Posted by: Amelia at September 19, 2008 3:02 PM

booknerdnyc - would you ever seriously consider Fulton Street in Clinton Hill. The rents might be much more competitive. There is the bottom of the new condo coversion between St. James and Grand, and several other spots along the way.

Posted by: 1842 at September 19, 2008 3:24 PM

booknerdnyc- I read about this yesterday and the first thing i thought of was Clinton Hill- there's an open space on the NW corner of Greene and...St. James, I believe? Or somewhere on Fulton Ct in CH would be great. I'm sure there's many spaces that would work, and probably not as expensive as any spot to the west. I know the Fort Greene Initiative is supporting you, but really, Clinton Hill is like a 4 avenue extension of FG.

Posted by: blowfish at September 19, 2008 4:35 PM

How about the space on Gates and Downing where the video store is closing? Bet it's cheap!

Posted by: rf at September 19, 2008 5:42 PM

Is the photo from one of those stores that sell various items for home decorating and movies/TV? The "color coding" is for the purpose of selling... not for content, but for looks.

Right? Or?

Posted by: tybur6 at September 19, 2008 6:32 PM

I hope all the indy bookstore nearby do well. I'm spoiled. I think Book Court is really well-run with a great "curated" selection. There's also Community (weird, but open late), Pranga (not that well known, Court near President, good prices on the used books), Freebird (great events), and now we'll have the relocated 12th Street Books on Atlantic Ave.

Posted by: Carol Gardens at September 19, 2008 10:55 PM

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