Historic New York City Bookstore Begs for Business
The Strand Bookstore in New York City is sometimes described as “historic” by shoppers or reviewers, but I’m not so sure. It opened less than 100 years ago, and I don’t think that’s really “historic.”
To me, maybe a location 150 years or older would be historic. To somebody from Europe or Asia or Africa, maybe a location has to be 1,000 years old to be “historic.”
Anyway, The Strand Bookstore in New York City (or somebody who works there) recently sent out a tweet asking for help or more business or thoughts and prayers.
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We need your help. This is the post we hoped to never write, but today marks a huge turning point in The Strand’s history. Our revenue has dropped nearly 70% compared to last year, and the loans and cash reserves that have kept us afloat these past months are depleted.
We have survived so much in the past 93 years, and we are ready to fight against all odds to keep The Strand alive, but we cannot do it without book lovers like you.
Read more here at Strand Book Store on Twitter:.
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I’m not suggesting that anybody should pitch in to help The Strand. I don’t know the owners. They might be dicks to their employees. They might have supported and voted for the government regulations that are destroying their business in the first place. There might be other better local book stores that deserve or need more help.
I don’t even have advice for the owners of The Strand. If my family ever goes to New York City, maybe we’ll stop by. I like historic bookstores, though I don’t think a store founded in 1927 is really “historic.”
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What do you think? How long should something exist before it can be considered historic in the United States? 100 years? 200 years?
Dysfunctional Literacy 
This is sad! 😥I love going to Strand
Cool. If The Strand deserves it, I hope people give them more business.
All we will be left with is Barnes and Noble – I love those old bookstores, they have such interesting books and that great musty, timeless smell. I think 100 years for any establishment in this day and age is pretty admirable.
I agree. 93 years for a business is a pretty good run.
I’m surprised, From what I’ve heard bookshops – at least in Britain – were doing well during lockdown. especially when the public libraries were shut. I’m glad to say they are open again – with reduced access and some restrictions but open. I suppose there’s always Amazon and other online bookshops.
From what I understand, New York City has some issues that are more intense than in most other parts of the United States.
I don’t live in New York City, so I’m not 100% sure what’s going on, but a lot of businesses in NYC are (maybe unnecessarily) struggling.
Any book store closing down is always sad 😔
I’ve been to Strand. I went there with my wife after an appointment at the Indonesian consulate. While it does look like any other old bookstore, I felt like walking on hallowed ground.