A petition to keep Barnes & Noble open in Forest Hills has almost 3,000 signatures. You can view and sign the petition here: Keep Barnes & Noble Open at 70-00 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY!
While I personally would love the Barnes & Noble to stay open in Forest Hills, I would also love a lot of things, like to be 18 again. (Those were the days!) But unfortunately, that ain't going to happen, and I'd be very surprised if a petition will keep B&N from eventually leaving Forest Hills. Times have changed. I used to spend many an enjoyable hour browsing the aisles of Barnes & Noble. But in recent years, that browsing for books has been done virtually all the time on my Kindle. The last time I stepped foot in B&N was around Christmas-time when I was looking for a gift.
What I think should happen is B&N should consider a smaller format store so we can have some bookstore remain in Forest Hills.
But I think a broader issue is this neighborhood's need for more things to do, whether it be easier access to parks (The Queensway would solve this), more cultural events open to the community at large, or expanding the Greenmarket to more days of the week.
Also, since many parents especially seem to cite a need for a children's bookstore in the neighborhood, either one should open or B&N should consider leaving open a smaller kids' store.
The Tennis Stadium's recent partnership with the New York Pops to be its summer home is a fantastic development. I hope the Pops expand their presence in our neighborhood and give something back in the form of some free performances as well. How cool would a July Fourth Pops concert be at the Stadium or somewhere else locally where everyone can enjoy them?
While I personally would love the Barnes & Noble to stay open in Forest Hills, I would also love a lot of things, like to be 18 again. (Those were the days!) But unfortunately, that ain't going to happen, and I'd be very surprised if a petition will keep B&N from eventually leaving Forest Hills. Times have changed. I used to spend many an enjoyable hour browsing the aisles of Barnes & Noble. But in recent years, that browsing for books has been done virtually all the time on my Kindle. The last time I stepped foot in B&N was around Christmas-time when I was looking for a gift.
What I think should happen is B&N should consider a smaller format store so we can have some bookstore remain in Forest Hills.
But I think a broader issue is this neighborhood's need for more things to do, whether it be easier access to parks (The Queensway would solve this), more cultural events open to the community at large, or expanding the Greenmarket to more days of the week.
Also, since many parents especially seem to cite a need for a children's bookstore in the neighborhood, either one should open or B&N should consider leaving open a smaller kids' store.
The Tennis Stadium's recent partnership with the New York Pops to be its summer home is a fantastic development. I hope the Pops expand their presence in our neighborhood and give something back in the form of some free performances as well. How cool would a July Fourth Pops concert be at the Stadium or somewhere else locally where everyone can enjoy them?
Judging from this post and from your other one about a possible Whole Foods taking over the location, I think we all get it - you don't care about B&N staying open on Austin St. Perhaps YOU only read on your Kindle and don't ever shop there, but that is not the case for many others in the Forest Hills community. Clearly, as the petition shows, almost 3,000 people disagree with you and want the store to remain open.
ReplyDelete1) It's become obvious that the news about Barnes & Noble closing was done by the landlord as a negotiation play. It's up there with "Apple Store on Austin Street" and "Drive Thru Starbucks on Queens Blvd."
ReplyDelete2) You're right about the book industry and if it's legit about the closing then there's certainly nothing that 3000 signatures will change.
3) I disagree about the broader issue. Barnes & Noble represents something unique, perhaps nostalgic, for people of all ages in the neighborhood. Not simply "need for more things to do" I don't disagree there can always be more things but it's oversimplifying. Queensway as a park would be nice but you can't really compare it to a major bookstore on Austin Street.
Respectfully, I think the QueensWay project is infinitely more important than the B&N - it could potentially even help sustain the B&N. The QueensWay project with its proposed scope across several areas, its amazing architectural design, and its bike paths have the potential to draw visitors to FH, RP, KG, etc.. These dynamics alone could attract new businesses to FH - the kinds of businesses we would love to see and not Dunkin Donuts or Duane Reade. Think of comparable projects like Bklyn Bridge Park or the LIC waterfront. These are significant urban renewal projects around which we see interesting eateries, festivals and art fairs sprout - activities that everyone can enjoy. Unfortunately, Central Queens does not have any sort of urban renewal project of this nature to speak of.
DeleteThat's because we have a bunch of old and traditional knuckleheads living in the area. I wish most of them would move out to the burbs!!
DeleteTo first Anonymous's point above, yes, the QueensWay *could* attract new businesses to FH, but not if they're stuck paying exorbitantly high rents, which is the reason why B&N might be forced to close up shop. The City Council desperately needs to do something this year to reform the out-of-control commercial real estate market and give business tenants some of the rights they deserve - pressuring our representatives for that will go a much longer way towards sustaining the neighborhood than building a park will (which ultimately won't attract more people than a rail link would).
DeleteSeems to me that many of the people complaining about the loss of this chain store are the people who are complaining about how there are too many chain stores in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHow did you reach that conclusion? Also, this isn't about losing a "chain store," it's about losing a BOOKSTORE.
DeleteRead enough of the neighborhood blogs, facebook groups and other neighborhood sites and it starts getting easy to connect the dots.
DeleteIf it's too expensive for a CHAIN STORE to stay in business, then it's certainly way more expensive than any small business could afford. If B&N can't make it in this neighborhood anymore, then NO ONE is safe from these greedy landlord vultures.
DeleteEbooks account for only a third of overall book sales.
ReplyDeleteAnd of the other 2/3 of the books, what percentage are purchased online?
DeleteThat's right now, the growth in ebook purchases is escalating. Brick and motar bookstores have to pay rent, utilities and their employees, there is no financial interest for them to stay open when their online counterparts make more money and cost less to operate.
Deletetake away 1/3 of a store's revenue and see how long it can stay in business
DeleteI have actually noticed more people reading real books on subways, buses, and in parks lately.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the fact that, although you are personally comfortable with the prospect of a new business coming into the B&N location, you also took the time to inform us about the petition and include the link. That is fair and balanced; thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhich major retailer would take over this space? Clothing : H&M Food: Whole Foods Dining: ???
ReplyDeleteA whole foods would be a great addition.
ReplyDeleteBrick and mortar bookstores are suffering across the country. I'd love B&N to stay open but there are so many forces at play outside of just FH alone and the petition. With a lot of ppl advocating for the reading of actual books and calling for more children's resources, I think the same energy applied to the petition should be applied to calling for resources for our Queens Library branches. I used to live in Bklyn near the Grand Army Plaza Library which was open 7 days/week, had an amazing kids' section and tons of programming for all ages - music, arts, etc... I can't say the same for any of the Central Queens Library branches. Right now, the City Council and Mayor are debating the budget and the Queens Library has asked the City for $65m in funds for programming and longer hours. I also understand that BP Melinda Katz has funding she can put towards this. Now, that is a petition I would sign!! Drake, maybe you can make a plug for this: http://speakup.queenslibrary.org
ReplyDeleteIf you really look at Austin street right now there are more than a handful of empty storefronts. Having a national chain store replace b&n might jumpstart interest in businesses to come in. But on the other hand I agree that b&n has a lot of nostalgic significance to a lot of people locally.
ReplyDeleteOn balance I would rather see a premium national store chain like jcrew, Equinox, Apple, etc to come in and give legitimacy to forest hills than to see another run of the mill store but that's me.
I hate to be the dark cloud, but there is no way we are getting a Whole Foods at that location. A supermarket of that size would need parking and I doubt the existing parking management company behind B&N would relinquish ownership.
ReplyDeleteI shop at all of the Whole Foods in Manhattan all the time without a car. And apparently, so does everyone else. None of them have parking.
DeleteTrader Joe's should move into the B&N store.
DeleteJust lost a lot of respect for this blog. Barnes and Noble with it's Starbucks store is a major attraction in Forest Hills that attracts a lot of traffic to Austin Street. It is loved by young and old alike, a place where you can find teens and toddlers alike sitting in the aisles and designated reading areas, browsing, reading, studying. Since public libraries have become havens for the homeless and mentally ill, Barnes and Noble serves as a library, community center and coffee shop all at once. Barnes and Noble is one of the few things that is good about Forest Hills.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I doubt that Drake is losing any sleep over Zee Zeem's losing respect for this blog. Anyone who refers to public libraries as "havens for the homeless and mentally ill" is making a statement with no basis in the facts. Also, anyone who expects a for-profit business to provide the services of a library and a community center without receiving any payment for such services is not living in the real world. For-profit businesses are in business to make money. If most people who visit the FH B&N are not buying anything, then B&N will not be able to make a profit and they will not be able to stay in business.
DeleteThe Whole Foods on E57 St near 3rd Av has 2 floors. No parking. The one in Time Warner Center is below ground and is their 2nd busiest store next to Union Square. No matter what the circumstances, WF seems to make it work.
ReplyDeleteI hope a Twin Peaks opens!!!! Sorry, I really don't care about your families; and Dad needs somewhere to hide once and awhile.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what is moving into the former Laytner store?
ReplyDeleteThe store is insanely popular and lengthy lines are the norm. I'd love it to stay, but I'd also love something wonderful to come in its place. What we don't need is frozen yogurt, cheap jewelry, cell phones or sushi. -DW
ReplyDeletei wonder how many of these 3000 people have actually bought a book there. Most of the time i see kids reading and then putting the books back on the shelf. The toys are too expensive unless you buy them on sale. no blu rays or they cost $10 more than best buy or amazon.
ReplyDeleteand i haven't read a paper book in years. either kindle on my phone or the library loans out ebooks as well and i might buy a real kindle next month
The rent the landlord is trying to bump it up to is ridiculous. Only thing that can afford that is an urgent care center unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteTarget will replace Barnes and Noble in the Austin St spot.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/target-replace-barnes-noble-forest-hills-article-1.2338093