World’s Oldest Gay Bookstore Closes :(

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 1:41pm

http://biggaynews.com/worlds-oldest-gay-bookstore-closes/2489

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 1:58pm

Good job all you Amazon users!

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 2:57pm

While I realize the sadness that must be felt due to closing of such a historical and special establishment I think the fact that many bookstores (big chains and independent) carry GLBT literature and books is a positive thing. Does that make any sense?

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 3:04pm

I agree that, today, it isn't much different than the closing of any specialty bookstore (sci-fi, children's, African-American, mystery, theatre, etc.) Still the historical significance and the changing times for all bookstores makes me sad.

...and cruising the aisles of Amazon.com just ISN'T the same.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 3:07pm

It's also sad to see a store that you've passed every day for the last 30 years close.

[Q]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 3:21pm

That was the only one remaining in NYC? I think the Different Light stores (here and in San Francisco) continue to do OK.

This makes me sad - that was actually the first gay establishment I went to in NYC, back in the 70's (trying to find the other places I wanted to go to!)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 4:00pm

A Different Light closed several years ago here in NY. They had moved to an expensive new location in Chelsea that turned out to be a few blocks away from the Chelsea Barnes and Noble and they couldn't compete. The chain lost so much money it almost brought down the SF and LA stores as well.

Ironically, B&N has been doing so poorly this past year that they closed several stores, including the Chelsea store, where the rent had become exorbitant.

Fewer people reading, and those that do, increasingly buy online.

Soon there will only be Amazon--and places like Costco and Target, where you will be able to buy only the proven bestsellers.

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 4:03pm

Wasn't this a story on Will & Grace?

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 4:10pm

This is sad.

I adore bookstores, and this one in particular, but this is the way of them all, as mentioned.

I download books to my phone or ipod these days. I can carry several books at once and never have to turn on a light to read in bed.

Yes, Mamie, and Roscoe Lee Browne played the bookstore owner.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 4:17pm

I love small, independent bookstores. It's been my dream to own one (although, in this climate - an unlikely dream).

I make a point of shopping in the independent stores. It may cost me a few extra dollars to buy the book, but, it's so worth it to me.

A bookshop in the town I grew up in was going to close this past year, but the town rallied behind it, a new owner was found, and it's now happily in business. I think it's important to keep these shops around - and I love the personal recommendations of the shopkeepers.

I'm sorry to hear about this bookstore closing. It's a loss.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 9:58pm

So upsetting. I love the Oscar Wilde Bookshop. Before moving to New York, whenever I'd visit I had always made it a point to go shopping there and now I take my friends and those who visit there. Down on Christopher Street every one of my favorite stores have all gone under. See what internet shopping and high rents are doing! Curse them!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:10pm

The owner said in this case a rent hike was NOT involved.

Just dwindling business.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:18pm

Jane, the fact that you passed by it everyday for 30 years is probably why it is closing. Perhaps if you had stopped in once or twice?

I agree that it is sad for the business, but great that a "GLBT" bookstore is no longer a necessity. It is kind of like the Bailiwick Theater here in Chicago, it used to be THE gay theater. Now EVERY theater is doing gay plays and Bailiwick is closing. Of course the did BAD gay theater, but still...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:30pm

Gay theater? That's redundant.

I miss the Erotic Bakery on Christopher.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/4/09 at 10:53pm

"I miss the Erotic Bakery on Christopher."

Me too, I loved their bosom cakes.

Sueleenie, I went into Oscar Wilde once or twice!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 10:31am

"Good job all you Amazon users!'

yeah, that's it....blame Amazon...all their fault. Sorry, I am not buying that crap.

As Sueleen mentions the gay selections that can be found in mainstream bookstores is amazing.

As to buying from Amazon, you do not have the right to judge where people spend their money...especially in these times. For many it's a cost issue, Amazon is cheaper.....a

nd in many cities public libraries are doing a booming business as a library card is free.

So before you go blaming one company, take your head outta your er....clouds, that's it, clouds and do your research.

OFF soapbox.

Of course the small independents are where I prefer to buy mine...but sometimes that just isn't practical.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 10:31am

duplicate post

Updated On: 2/5/09 at 10:31 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 10:41am

And that's why there will soon be no more small independent bookstores, Elphaba.

It's just a fact of life. Retail is changing in America, and the small independent bookstore will soon disappear, the way other mom-and-pop shops have disappeared. They can't compete with the discounting the chains can handle.

It's not your fault or Amazon's fault. It's just a fact of life in the 21st century.

Already in this thread, you can see Doodle saying that he downloads books and reads them on his iPod. He's still in the minority, but when he is joined by a majority of readers, that will effectively put out of business typesetters, printers and binderies: an entire industry.

For now, most people would rather read a printed book than a book-on-screen, but sometime in our lifetimes, electronic books will be as pleasant as--or more pleasant than--a hardcover or paperback.

At that point the same thing will happen to the book industry that has happened to the music industry: The major companies, scaled way down from where they are today--will exist merely to choose a handful of titles to market nationwide. All other books will be self-published and offered on the Internet, and authors will do their own marketing.

So buy a book from an independent. Buy a book from a chain, for that matter. (Borders may not survive the fiscal year.)

Hell, just buy a book.

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 10:52am

Just reading this thread has made me want to get out my copies of Fahrenheit 451 and 84 Charing Cross Road. Both of those stories left me craving even more ACTUAL BOOKS.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 11:25am

true Joey, and I also download onto my Kindle....why pay $26 when I can pay $9, BUT....I read a book on my Kindle, and then I read a real book, I switch off.

Nothing compares to holding a real book (also the Kindles page looks like a book page).

And I am nota believer that books will go away....I truly believe there will always be books, IF...parents, educators and librarians teach children and students the love of books.

The printed word survives....but I wonder in the case of war, etc if the electronic word would......how sad it would be to have a worldwide catastrophe where all electronic word disappeared, and nothing survived of our history, etc because we got rid of the printed word.

[Q]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 11:37am

"parents, educators and librarians teach children and students the love of books."

That's going to be difficult in an environment where they take libraries out of public schools, like they did in Hawaii.

I love books - I don't have enough room in our house for the ones we've got, and I keep getting more. BUT, the format isn't what counts, it's the content. I would rather hold the physical thing in my hand because it's what I've always known, what I'm familiar with. There are people who are not going to have that awareness - in fact, will feel that same way about the electronic versions. And they will appreciate and use them as I do the books now.

Even though I feel the way I do about holding a book, I completely get the ease, comfort and practicality of the technological versions.

And for the record, I would think it would be much easier to preserve and protect electronic data, which can be instantly copied and stored, than actual physical copies of things.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 2:00pm

Do my research, Elphaba? Okay.

Good job, all you Amazon users.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 2:22pm

I still prefer used bookstores. They almost always have something I want to read, they are cheap, and they are mostly independent or small chains (though Half Price Books has really grown).

Posted: 2/5/09 at 2:44pm

"I truly believe there will always be books"

There might always be the word or literature, but paper books? No way. It's not a question of if, but when.

[Q]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 5:41pm

"I still prefer used bookstores."

Me, too, Mr. M! I usually ask when I walk in if they have empty boxes available

And don't even get me near a library sale - then I need a U-Haul.