Barnes’ Doors

As more of its stores close, Barnes & Noble is viewed with more affection and less animosity as "a corporate bully … that helped squash small, independent bookstores," reports Julie Bosman in the New York Times (8/31/10). "It’s a community gathering space," says Monica Blum, president of New York City’s Lincoln Square Business Improvement District. "I think the larger bookstores have worked hard to become those kinds of spaces." Unfortunately, it’s not enough for the Barnes & Noble in Lincoln Square, which, "despite being a reliable site for readings and events focused on the performing arts," is closing.

"We recognize that this store has been an important part of the fabric of the Upper West Side community since we opened our doors on October 20, 1995," said Mary Ellen Keating, a Barnes & Noble spokesperson, in a statement. "However, the current lease is at its end of term, and the increased rent that would be required to stay in the location makes it economically impossible for us to extend the lease." Lillian Kelly is among those grieving the loss, but admits she really wasn’t much of a customer.

"I love buying my greeting cards here," she says, explaining that she visits the store at least two times each week, mostly to frequent the cafe upstairs. "They’re getting business out of me, I suppose," she says. "Even though I’m sitting there reading magazines for free." Roger Hawkins says he likes the store because there aren’t as many park benches anymore. He says he mostly buys audiobooks, online. "I’m just killing time," says Jai Cha, who says he visits the store to read books, a chapter at a time. Barnes says its next chapter will be another store somewhere else on the Upper West Side.