As most of us prepare to spend much more time at home, it’s the perfect time to escape to another world through the best way we know how: books.
Though restaurants and bars are now being ordered to close, stores in NYC are still open, including bookstores. Since most had to cancel all their upcoming spring events, it’s a great time to show them some extra love and support (safely, of course!). Here are 10 NYC bookstores that are still open, and are also offering online shipping so you don’t even have to leave the house if you don’t want to.
Also, of note: perhaps NYC’s most iconic bookstore, Strand, will be closing their flagship and kiosks, and also canceling online ordering/shipping currently. Find out more about how you can help on their Instagram here.
1. Shakespeare & Co., Upper West & East Sides
Where: 939 Lexington / 2020 Broadway
What: We will be open Monday thru Friday from 7:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm and this Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. The cafe will close at 6 pm. If in doubt, call the store to make sure we’re open. We’re offering FREE STANDARD SHIPPING on all orders. You can order by phone at 212 772 3400 or on our website.
2. Three Lives & Company, West Village
Where: 154 W 10th St.
What: We will be temporarily closing our doors to customers as of 3/15 at 5 p.m. We will still be accepting orders for curbside pickup, delivery within the West Village, and shipping anywhere in the United States every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please contact us for more information, and stay safe! Place orders here.
3. Albertine Books, Upper East Side
Where: 972 5th Ave
What: Dear friends, as a gesture of solidarity and support during the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve waived the $50 minimum for online book orders. Visit this link to stock up on your favorite French reads this weekend.
4. Mysterious Bookshop, Tribeca
Where: 58 Warren St.
What: As of right now (March 16 morning), we are open our normal hours, but will let you know if anything changes. Feel free to shop online if you’re looking for something to read while you are “social distancing”.
5. McNally Jackson, Soho
Where: 52 Prince St.
What: All events across all stores have been cancelled for the remainder of March. As you socially distance, a reminder that you can always shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com. We’re offering free economy shipping in New York City. Gift cards and economy orders above $50 ship anywhere for free, as always. We’ll update you as things change, which they most assuredly will.
6. Book Club Bar, East Village
Where: 197 E 3rd St.
What: Open for to-go coffee only, and special order book pick-ups. Shop bookclubbar.com (we ship!) and thanks for the support.
7. Astoria Bookshop, Queens
Where: 31-29 31st St, Astoria
What: Starting Monday 3/16, we will be closed to in store browsing while this public health crisis continues. You can continue to purchase books from us through our website, for USPS delivery or for curbside pickup, meaning we will pass your books to you through the front door. We will operate in this manner as long as we are able, i.e. as long as staff are safely able to get to the store and as long as our vendors can continue to fulfill our orders.
8. Rizzoli Bookstore, Flatiron
Where: 1133 Broadway
What: We at Rizzoli Bookstore believe in the power of books. Books bring beauty into our lives and nourish our souls. In these anxious times of closures and distances, books can also orient us in the world. They can open us to the experiences of others and offer other possibilities for living. Most importantly, books are accessible to all of us and remind us that we will all get through this, together.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and/or subscribe to our newsletter to receive special content and book recommendations! We will deliver books directly to your door!
9. Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn
Where: 686 Fulton St, Brooklyn
What: Like many indie bookstores and small businesses nationwide, we are striving to do what’s best for our many communities – our customers, our neighbors and neighborhoods, our staff, the authors and publishers we work with – which means balancing a lot of factors and making hard decisions. We want to let you know where we are now: 1) We have canceled all author events through the end of March. We’ll keep you posted on further cancellations or reschedulings. 2) We have reduced our hours to 10am-8pm in Fort Greene and 10am-7pm in PLG. BUT: 3) Book groups are still preceding as scheduled, since small groups present less risk and it can mean a lot for folks feeling isolated to talk to fellow book lovers. 4) You can shop 24/7 on greenlightbookstore.com for store pickup, UPS shipping, or digital-only ebooks and audiobooks (though bear with us if order responses take a bit longer than usual). And finally 5) our heroic booksellers are happy to recommend books perfect for holing up for a while – or puzzles, games, or art supplies (like this appropriate Susan Sontag stencil). Thanks for supporting Greenlight, and your own communities. Let’s take care of each other.
10. Books Are Magic, Brooklyn
Where: 225 Smith St, Brooklyn
What: Starting Monday 3/16, we’ll be open from 10-7, but closed to browsing business. You can still place orders online with 99 cent media mail shipping, call us on the phone, and place orders for pick-up. Love and magic, as always, are free. Much longer and goofier note in our newsletter, but them’s the facts. We love you and want you healthy, so stay home.
featured image source: Instagram / @chroniclebooks