Inspired by the independent bookseller revival in Brooklyn, Lexi Beach and Connie Rourke are hoping to open an indie bookstore in Queens. DNAInfo reported the women are currently "hunting for the right place to set up shop and hosting book events as they map out plans to launch the Astoria Bookshop this spring." Another Queens indie, Seaburn Bookstore, closed last year.
"An independent bookstore will have a hard time competing with the Internet in terms of prices and in terms of selection," said Beach (in photo), who has worked for Simon & Schuster and for a digital retailer selling audiobooks. "But customers also want personal attention, they want someone to tell them: 'Here is a great book that I have read and I can tell you if you will like it or not.' I have some very good examples to follow in Brooklyn. There are a couple of new bookstores there that are doing spectacularly well."
As the search for the right location continues, Beach said they've started organizing book events "to build awareness and to get people engaged" in their plans to open a permanent, "community space" bookstore. "People can come there and flirt with each other and meet someone to go on a date with, or they can bring their kid for a story hour while they poke around in the stacks a little," she said. "We want to offer that kind of space to the community."
