Two iconic New York City bookstores, Shakespeare & Co., are set to close their locations on the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. The stores, celebrated for their extensive collections and intimate connection to the city's literary scene — one famously featured in the film "When Harry Met Sally" — are succumbing to the harsh realities of the book-selling industry.
Reports indicate that the Upper West Side location at Broadway and 105th Street, barely a year after opening, is closing due to an inability to reach sustainable sales levels, as Shakespeare & Co.'s owner Dane Neller expressed to West Side Rag. Running for higher than the sales they were, "It was a really great landlord, a wonderful community," Neller said. "Love the neighborhood, love the customers. We just weren't able to get to the sales level we needed to make the store sustainable," as per NBC New York.
Meanwhile, the Upper East Side location near Hunter College faces a different predicament: its lease is expiring, and the landlord is on the hunt for higher rent, which has precipitated its impending closure. Precise dates for when these stores will officially close have not been announced, but customers can take advantage of a 15% off store closing sale until that time comes. This bittersweet goodbye was accompanied by a token of appreciation from the Shakespeare & Co. team, with a statement expressing thanks for customer loyalty and support. Needing to clear inventory before closing, both locations are offering discounts.
Despite these closures, the second Upper West Side Shakespeare & Co. location nestled between 69th and 70th streets remains in business. The company seeks to continue its commitment to book lovers and the neighborhood: "Thank you for your continued patronage," as noted in a message shared by PIX11.
