A look at Thayer, a new cafe-bookstore opening soon on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Updated 11/2: Thayer is now open!

--

Thayer, an independent press, is moving closer to opening day for its bookstore-cafe at 99 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (First reported here.) 

Founder Matt Lally, an East Village resident, plans to have a soft opening early next month. The two-level space will feature coffee drinks by Irving Farm New York and pastries by Balthazar. There will be grab-n-go soft drinks too. Beer and wine will be available in the evening.

Thayer will host various literary events and offer a curated selection of books and magazines for sale. There will be tables and chairs for drinks and books.

Daily hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week, with a 9 p.m. close on weekends.

Thayer is opening a bookstore and cafe at 99 Avenue B

This spring, Thayer, an independent press, is opening a bookstore-cafe at 99 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

Thayer founder Matt Lally confirmed the arrival in an email, noting the space will serve as its HQ along with a storefront offering books, coffee and pastries as well as beer and wine in the evenings. (They are on this month's CB3-SLA docket for the beer-wine license, though, having received administrative approval, they will not appear before the committee.) 

Thayer currently publishes a biennial magazine of short fiction, poetry and photography ... with plans for a debut novel this spring. 

No. 99 was previously Manitoba's, Handsome Dick Manitoba's namesake bar, which closed in June 2019 after 20 years in service.

Lally, who described himself as a punk rock kid in his youth, said that he wanted "to do right by the legacy of the space." 

You can keep tabs on Thayer via Instagram.

H/T Stacie Joy!