Readers in New York City rally to save two long-time stores; Atlanta gets a new bookstore; a store reopens in Louisiana; and more.
Posman Opens in Atlanta: After the New York City mini-chain announced that it was branching out to Atlanta with a notice that it was looking for booksellers in August, the bookstore officially opened its doors in Ponce City Market on Saturday, October 29.
Effort to Keep Bronx B&N Grows: Despite the fact that Prestige Properties and Barnes & Noble couldn’t reach an agreement about the Bronx store, which is slated to close at the end of the year, many are fighting to keep B&N there, just as they did two years ago. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto will launch a petition drive in front of the Bronx Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, November 2, at noon to show the borough’s overwhelming support for the bookstore.
FIT Students Petition to Save Fashion Design Books: The bookstore, which is located across from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City’s Chelsea community, is slated to close on November 15. The bookstore’s owner offered to pay $10,000 a month more rent, or $24,000 for the space. But it was outbid by FIT which offered $35,000 per month. Students launched a petition on ipetitions to try to stop FIT from putting independent retailers out of business.
Comic Store Reopens Following August Flood: Eddie Kay, owner of Southeast Cards & Comics, who lost almost everything when the Baton Rouge store flooded three months ago, has made good on a promise to return. He reopened in a new location two weeks ago, despite having to substitute a calculator for a cash register. So far, Kay said, , business has been booming.
Follett Renovates St. Bonaventure University Bookstore: As part of its new contract with the St. Bonaventure, N.Y.-based campus, Follett is installing new carpeting and vinyl flooring in the convenience area, painting the space, putting in a new checkout station, and adding new fixtures.
Franklin, N.H. Bookstore to Close Following Attempted Armed Robbery: George Mansfield opened George Books and More in July 2015 to help improve the city’s downtown. Last spring when a group of homeless people began coming into the bookstore daily, Mansfield tried to help them by buying the DVDs and other items they were selling. He also gave some people small loans and put a few up in his home. But after one of the people he tried to help held him up at knifepoint, the retired school teacher has decided to close the bookstore on October 31.
