St. Mark's Bookshop Is in Danger of Closing Again

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St Mark's Bookshop is still struggling. After a long history of financial woes, the indie bookstore now needs $150,000 to keep operating or it will be forced to go out of business, DNAinfo is reporting, so they're yet again turning to patrons to raise money for its survival with an online fundraiser.

"For St. Mark's to have a future beyond 2015, we need the immediate help of friends like you who value the bookshop as it once was and can definitely be again," owner Bob Contant wrote on the fundraiser's designated page, initially created on November 30th. Everyone who donates will get a lifetime discount at the shop; so far, 94 people have contributed $4,305.

Last year, the bookstore moved to 136 East Third Street from its Third Avenue home since 1992 (it's been in business for 38 years) because of an insurmountable rent hike. But the move was "undercapitalized...cost overruns left us with little money to stock the store with books and to hold the free literary events we want to present," Contant also wrote on the fundraiser page (he previously hinted at these troubles). St. Mark's Bookshop previously tried to enlist investors, but was unsuccessful in securing any.