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.
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.
Since the shop isn’t open yet, it’s unlikely the photo is from it.
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, http://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…”)
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.
Speaking of Book Court, when are they opening the extension?
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.
Biff and T-Lady,
Buttseks snark is the best kind. Always.
J.
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.
I re-read it twice too Biff. I saw anal snorting the first time as well and thought where’s he going with this?