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| Bob Contant at St. Mark's Bookshop's 25th anniversary party in 2002. | |
Very sad news: Bob Contant, co-founder and longtime owner of St. Mark's Bookshop in New York City, died November 6 of cardiac arrest after a short bout with Covid.
Born in Rochester, N.Y., Contant grew up in the Washington, D.C., area. After attending the University of Rochester and then the University of Maryland, Contant worked at the Washington Public Library. Upon moving to Cambridge, Mass., he worked at two of Harvard's libraries and then at several Harvard Square bookstores during their heyday, including as manager of Paperback Booksmith. He came to New York in 1972 and was manager of the old 8th Street Bookshop in Greenwich Village. In 1977, Contant with others working at East Side Books--Terry McCoy, Peter Dargis, and Tom Evans--decided to open their own store at 13 St. Mark's Place in the East Village.
St. Mark's Bookshop moved to a larger location, at 12 St. Mark’s Place, in 1987 and then in 1993 to a new development by Cooper Union at 31 Third Avenue. The store built on its strength in poetry, critical studies, small press literature, and art. But after many years, with a change of board, the school shifted its approach to the bookstore and offered no help when, in the wake of the financial crisis, St. Mark's had trouble paying its $20,000-a-month rent. St. Mark's was supported by friends and customers in a local campaign, but Cooper Union would not back down, and in 2014, St. Mark’s moved to 136 E. Third St., which had a much lower rent but no foot traffic. The store closed in 2016.
Principal buyer as well as owner, Contant was beloved by fellow booksellers, sales reps, and publishers. Chris Kerr of Parson Weems remembered Contant as "a fabulous story-teller with a long list of grateful authors, including Sam Shepherd [Contant was best man for the playwright Walter Hadler at his and Shepherd's double wedding] and Patti Smith. He and St. Mark's last co-owner, Terry McCoy, attracted a long list of gifted booksellers, many of whom were scholars and published authors. It was the only store I ever called on that sold as many copies of new poetry, and critical theory, as bestsellers. After J.D. Salinger's death, the store sold 200 copies of Nine Stories in the first week of the announcement."
Retired rep Adena Siegel remembered Contant as "a passionate bookseller, principled, enthusiastic, so knowledgeable. Sales calls were exhilarating because of Bob's tremendous appreciation for university press books and understanding of how they are published. He was quick to applaud smart moves and generous with advice. He loved art and nature, had a beautiful baritone speaking voice, and often wore a pocket square. He will be so missed."
Carl Lennertz called Contant "one of the greats."
Contant is survived by his third wife, writer Marilyn Berkman--they were together for 45 years--a daughter from his first marriage and two grandchildren, and a sister and two nephews.
Even after the bookshop closed, Berkman said, Contant kept up his great interest in books, writers, and New York cultural scenes, and always eager to add to his wide knowledge and appreciation. The last books on his nightstand were new ones on T.S. Eliot and Harry Smith.