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July 1, 2009

Streetlevel: Unnameable Books Re-Opens on Vanderbilt

Unnameable Books has completed its move we told you about last month and is up and running in its new storefront space at 600 Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights. We went by on Saturday and thought the set-up looked very nice. Folks in the hood must be pleased!
StreetLevel: Bergen's Loss is Vanderbilt's Gain [Brownstoner] GMAP

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Comments

Awesome.

LOVE Vanderbilt!

Posted by: 11217 at July 1, 2009 2:04 PM

Worst. Signage. Ever.

All snark aside, I wish them well. Now if only that crappy bodega next store would get with the program...

Posted by: DitmasSnark at July 1, 2009 2:17 PM

Especially since the original place had like a piece of paper taped to the window.

Trivia time people (not you two though): what was the original name of the place? And don' Google it either!

Posted by: infinitejester at July 1, 2009 2:19 PM

quote:

Trivia time people (not you two though): what was the original name of the place? And don' Google it either!

Moldy,Stinky,Musty,Old Books Even Yo' Grams Don't Wanna Read?

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 1, 2009 2:28 PM

I'll ignore that:).

Posted by: infinitejester at July 1, 2009 2:30 PM

> Especially since the original place had like a piece of paper taped to the window.

Yes, but it looks like they actually spent money on this craptacular bit of graphic design."

> what was the original name of the place?

Steve's? Something nondescript like that.

> Moldy,Stinky,Musty,Old Books Even Yo' Grams Don't Wanna Read?

Heh heh heh.

Posted by: DitmasSnark at July 1, 2009 2:31 PM

Yeah sign is weird - looks faux vintage.

that said - best of luck to them. love used book shops.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at July 1, 2009 2:34 PM

I don't mind the sign, actually. It's fine.

Posted by: 11217 at July 1, 2009 2:36 PM

Weren't they called 'no name books'?

There is something very lovecraftian about the name "unnameable books".

You'd expect to find a moldy, stinky, musty, old copy of the Necronomicon in the back with a Miskatonic University label on the inside cover and some unidentifiable dark sticky liquid on the dented spine.

But I didn't see any copies when they were on Bergen.

Posted by: northsloperenter at July 1, 2009 3:13 PM

I believe the sign is meant to be a little kitschy and what you can't see in this photo is the smaller, perpendicular version with the name misspelt. "Unnameable," geddit?

Loved this store on Bergen and am happy to see Adam move even closer to my home. But would also like to see a bit more effort on the visual merchandising front. Yeh, I understand the appeal of non-glitzy, olde-fashioned bookstores. But as a book industry professional of 25+ years (groan, yes, it's been that long), it strikes me as a little willful to make the store look so unenticing. It's still retail after all! Those books currently in the window -- shoved behind the bookcases -- will be sun-faded and dusty within a couple of weeks. Ugh.

Posted by: grand army at July 1, 2009 3:24 PM

It was called "Adam's Books" but they got threatened with a lawsuit or something and changed it to Unnameable, kind of definatly it seemed to me. the Sun had a good piece (before that paper folded) about this place and a few other indie bookstores fighting the tide of non-bookishness.

Posted by: infinitejester at July 1, 2009 3:33 PM

i am very glad to see them on the block. i am hoping that this place, plus the new-ish nail salon and maybe some new occupants of the former garden cafe space will form a critical mass of merchants willing to do something to clean up that side of this block. it is always just littered with trash and glass and is generally inhospitable and unwelcoming. i saw that the nail place seems to have planted its tree pit, which is a definite step in the right direction! but a couple of planters and benches would work wonders, too!

Posted by: i disagree at July 1, 2009 3:51 PM

Adam's Books!

Posted by: washingtonandatlantic at July 1, 2009 4:00 PM

This is a great and very welcome addition to the neighborhood. Now all we need is a good butcher and a we'll be all set.

Posted by: clintonhillbuyer at July 1, 2009 4:07 PM

silly sign

great bookstore

Posted by: Santa at July 1, 2009 4:55 PM

I like the crappy bodega. It is places like this that give a neighborhood character and make it interesting. I love the sign on the door that says No Skates, No Smoke. The people that work there are pleasant and they carry some interesting goods. I understand that this might not be my attitude if it was the only place to shop but PH is cool like that, plenty of flavor to go around. Whadda ya want a 7-Eleven (generic) or Union Market where a can of peaches is 3.99?

Posted by: sbbrock at July 1, 2009 5:35 PM

"Whadda ya want a 7-Eleven (generic) or Union Market where a can of peaches is 3.99?"

Yes.

Posted by: Big Jugs at July 1, 2009 6:19 PM

Umm, the "crappy bodega" next door, Pena's, is awesome, with nice people, friendly cats, delicious cheap sandwiches made with love and attention, and great prices. When it goes, there goes the neighborhood. I don't know what "program" you expect Pena's to "get with" ... you must be a realtor.

Posted by: Lothar of the Clinton Hill People at July 1, 2009 7:38 PM

Only Asshats know how to read.

Posted by: ghettoazzpnkbtch at July 1, 2009 9:15 PM

sorry, but pena's is pretty disgusting. look behind the counter some time and you'll see a bottle of roach killer on the same shelf as stuff they use to make sandwiches, along with all kinds of other filth. nice people, nice cats, and decent cold beers in a pinch, but that's really about it.

Posted by: z at July 2, 2009 1:27 AM

They need to fix the Vanderbilt traffic signal on Atlantic so those of us on the other side of it can cross to Prospect Heights without dying. The walk sign literally lasts for about fifteen seconds -- not enough time to cross a four-lane highway.

Posted by: Heather at July 2, 2009 8:25 AM

That's what the flashing dont-walk is for. It flashes for plenty long enough to cross the street.

Posted by: zinka at July 2, 2009 9:00 AM

I would LOVE a Union Market. And a butcher!

Posted by: clintonhillbuyer at July 2, 2009 10:46 AM