New York City entered Phase 1 of the four-part reopening plan yesterday. In this initial phase, curbside and in-store pickup are now available for certain retail outlets, including clothing stores, florists and bookstores.
This does not pertain to East Village Books. The used-book mainstay at 99 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue has been open throughout the COVID-19 PAUSE. Gov. Cuomo stated in March that "any business that only has a single occupant/employee has been deemed exempt."
And we've heard from several residents who have been grateful that East Village Books remained open — albeit with instituted time and occupancy limits while following CDC guidelines. Having the opportunity to be inside a store and find some pandemic reading has been therapeutic.
With the proprietor's blessing, EVG contributor Stacie Joy recently wandered the stacks and shared these photos from her visit...
East Village Books is also continuing to buy used books. Per their website: "On the store-open days, should you wish to sell books without entering you would phone from out front and use the designated bins. You would be paid by envelope and offered an alcohol wipe."
HELL YES THIS PLACE IS ESSENTIAL! thank you grieve and stacie joy for covering, and thank you shop owner for staying open!
ReplyDeleteFor some time they were only buying, not selling.
ReplyDeletedefinitely essential. I hope this place is slinging books foreva.
ReplyDeleteI like to donate my used books here; I have a lot, thanks to my deceased roommate who amassed a lot of them before he got himself a Kindle.
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