Last week, Westsider Rare & Used Books store announced they’d be closing next month. However, thanks to concerned New Yorkers, this cozy book store will now get a second chance.
Originally, the book store at 2246 Broadway was expected to close at the end of February, and had already begun their 30% off sale of everything in the store. By Tuesday, the day after management made their Facebook announcement, there was already a GoFundMe page created to try and save the shop. The description included warm sentiments from those in the neighborhood who don’t want to see it go:
Customers reminisced as they browsed the store on Tuesday.
“I’m sad. I’ve been coming here for many, many years,” said Linda Herskovic. “There’s always something here for me. I keep hearing that all these smaller bookstores are opening and doing well. I’m not sure what’s happening. I know people in this neighborhood read.”
Others bemoaned the loss of small shops on the Upper West Side.
“Another delightful little corner spot is being wiped out, to join an ever-widening collection of empty storefronts in this neighborhood,” said James Libby. “It’s part of a sorrowful process.”
And it also featured a quote from the owner, Dorian Thornley, that read:
“I guess if somebody did a crowd funder and raised $50,000. I’d do it. Don’t see that happening though.”
Well, it happened! The crowd fundraising effort surpassed its goal of $50,000 dollars in less than a week (in five days to be exact) with $52,631 collected by 815 people as of the time this article was written. The page was shared nearly 900 times on Facebook and has endless comments from people showing their support. According to amNY, the owners are already planning their “grand reopening” celebration.
It’s a touching moment that truly shows what a community can do when we all come together to help our local shops and neighbors.
What: Westsider Rare & Used Books
Where: 2246 Broadway (between West 80th and West 81st Streets)
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., daily
featured image source: Yelp / Westsider Rare and Used Books