Fort Greene Bookstore Has Support, Needs Space
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…
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.
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.
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?
How about the space on Gates and Downing where the video store is closing? Bet it’s cheap!
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.
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.
What about the old Cellars spot on Dekalb? That has been empty for 2 years already. Does anyone know whats going on with it?
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.
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.
I like Vanderman’s suggestion–Tillies and book shop team up!