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In October, bookshop owner Sarah McNallyannounced that she was leavingher longtime location on Prince Street.
In the last four months, everything has changed.
The other coming location, at South Street Seaport, has been in the works for years.
McNally said when I raised the suggestion.
She was eager to show them off, having spent half the night marking them up.
Surrounding us was a truly incredible number of books on floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall shelves.
In other words, something like the independent bookstore par excellence.
She had her long hair in a ponytail and was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with her original stores layout.
I felt like I needed to have a connection with every shelf and every book, she added.
But after 15 years, at Prince Street,Idont need to have that connection because someone there does.
Shes cultivated a staff with diverse tastes.
There are so many extraordinary booksellers that Im not afraid anymore.
I can just pass the new stores over its like a trust fall or something.
Sometimes you dont know what you have until its gone, she explained.
At that point, shell reassess.
Regardless of what happens on Prince Street, the company seems to be more secure than ever.
I become part of the mission of what theyre building.
The two-story Seaport shop, meanwhile, will span several buildings and more than 7,000 square feet.
The windows upstairs will overlook the water and the cobblestone streets.
Its likeJohn Sandoe in London, buthuge.
It amounts to creating secluded spaces to isolate shoppers from foot traffic.
Its not like people are coming because they dont know how to use the internet, she said.
Theyre coming to really communicate and interact with the books.
I always say that between a reader and an author, its a compatibility thing, like with people.
Are there any more outposts in her future, maybe down the line?
I would do a bookstore in Midtown, I bet, she said.
Theres a point where you have to stop.
