Save the Shop Around the Corner!

Yes, this is another story about a West Village bookstore that's closing . . . then reopening a few blocks away. The New York Times called this a reprieve. The store in this case is Left Bank Books, on W. 4th St. I've been in here only once, because it sells predominantly first editions, making it attractive but expensive. Attraction + expensive = me avoiding it. I, however, have walked by it many times because I love love love how the store looks. Chipping white paint, slightly disarrayed books in the front windows, glass door, small chalkboard billboard on the sidewalk in front. It's perfect. In fact, a picture I took of it serves as my Twitter background. I'm happy the store will still be open, because someday I will buy a book from there, but sad it won't look the same. Yes, this really does matter to me. Click on the link to the store and you'll understand. Now we wait to find out which expensive clothing store moves in.