Venerable Bookstore to Close in Village

[TomClash]

Source: NYT

The Oscar Wilde Bookshop in Greenwich Village, which is believed to be the oldest gay and lesbian bookstore in the country, will close on March 29, its owner announced on Tuesday, citing economic troubles.

The store nearly closed six years ago, only to be sold and given a last-minute reprieve.

It was opened in 1967 on Mercer Street by Craig L. Rodwell, who was influential in the gay rights movement. It later moved to 15 Christopher Street. Mr. Rodwell, who inspired owners of gay bookshops around the country and who helped organize the city’s first gay pride parade in 1970, died of stomach cancer in 1993.

<SNIP>

In a phone interview, she cited declining sales figures and said that on Tuesday, the store had only two paying customers.

“People are hemorrhaging, and we’re no exception,” she said.

Ms. Brinster said she paid $3,000 a month in rent, which she said was already below market value.

“Even if we were rent-free, it wouldn’t be enough for us to cover the bills we have,” she said. “This is one instance in New York where it’s not a case of the landlord gouging the tenant. Our landlord has always been remarkable with us.”



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/nyregion/04bookstore.html?em

[madaboutharry]

1. That makes me so sad.

It just hurts me to hear these stories. I haven't been to the Village in over 20 years. I bet I wouldn't recongnize it.

[libnnc]

2. tried to go there everytime we vistied NYC

have a couple of tee-shirts from that store

they're a part of history

very sad indeed

[Bluenorthwest]

3. Two of my 'pet issues' in one

GLBT history, and the plight of the independent bookstore. Lousy news.

[OneBlueSky]

4. what a shame . . . but most independent bookstores are hurting . . .

with the advent, first, of megastores like Barnes and Noble, and second, the internet and online shopping . . . very few indys are making money, and a lot of them have simply closed down in the past few years . . . more closings will likely follow as the economy remains in the dumps . . .

[Renew Deal]

10. Everyone is hurting.

NYC is losing businesses. The Brooks Brothers on 5th Ave. just closed. Hawaiian Tropic on 7th Ave. is closing. The Virgin Megastore is closing. And there's been a few mom and pop restaurant closures.

[xchrom]

5. recommend

[AngryAmish]

6. It is too bad, but they are in the buggy whip business

I like independent bookstores...but the future of publishing is digital - kindle and the ilk. I can read books on my Blackberry.

Now how does one come across a book that you have never heard of before - like in a good bookstore? I don't know. Amazon thinks I'm some sort of right-winger because I like history.

Bottom line - books are information. The way the information gets into my head is fungible. Bookstores are too inefficient, unfortunately.

[bobbert]

7. nah, I think it's online sales

They really should have moved into online sales, a lot of bookstores have done so. They didn't close based on digital media being the future (key word: future) they closed because of how their business has done the last few years. Now I do agree that digital media is becoming more popular, but I'm sure that's less than 5% of all book sales and that wouldn't close a business. Amazon.com and such are more responsible, but that's not a bad thing at all. I much prefer online shopping.

[melm00se]

8. it's a challenge

to thrive in an environment where they are so many choices from which to buy reading material. For the small independent bookseller (even one serving a niche market by making niche material available), it is even more challenging when faced with chains (who can margin blend across their company) and online sellers (with their extremely low cost of doing business).

[myrna minx]

9. K&R That's so sad. n/t