Adieu, Librairie de France
Wednesday September 2, 2009
The 74-year reign of Librairie de France, which houses the largest collection of new and rare French books in the world, is coming to an end. With the annual rent tripling to nearly $1,000,000 (!) the family-owned bookstore can't continue in its present location in Rockefeller Center, Manhattan. The mail order business will continue out of the owner's home, but the brick and mortar shop will be no more as of 30 September 2009. Whether you already know and love this old shop, or have never had the pleasure of browsing its stacks, head to 5th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets for one last visit before it's too late.
Source: NY Daily News: French language bookstore Librairie de France - a fixture since '35 - loses lease
Source: NY Daily News: French language bookstore Librairie de France - a fixture since '35 - loses lease
Comments
“We just can’t afford to stay here anymore,” he added. “New York is becoming impossible for retail.”
For $300,000/year rent, maybe they can relocate to one of the outer boroughs? Maybe that’s not realistic either. Sigh.
They were pretty rude there. I haven’t been in 15 years–I had completely forgotten about them.