Brooklyn’s Indie Bookstores.

Bookstores have suffered since the rise of big chain stores such as Barnes & Noble, the now defunct Borders, and Amazon. Kindle and e-books, as well as ever increasing rent, haven’t helped matters either. Nonetheless, Brooklyn’s indie bookstores are having a renaissance. Brooklyn’s bookshop culture has a rich history and plays an important role in fostering the borough’s literary culture.

Oh the sweet, sweet smell of books.

From quaint used bookshops to modern, innovative stores with quirky layouts, these local establishments offer more than just books to their communities. For many Brooklynites, indie bookstores are more than just a place to buy books. They are the nucleus of the community. They’re where readers, writers, thinkers, and artists gather to engage with literature and exchange ideas.

Brooklyn’s indie bookstores offer a sense of community.

You know you are in a good bookstore when you lose track of time. In this fast-paced world, book shops offer a sweet respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. Warm lighting and wood are snugly and make you feel right at home. But even fluorescent-lit, bookstores with leak-stained ceiling panels, and piles of disorganized books have their own charm.

Bookstores like Unnameable Books in Prospect Heights, and Greenlight Bookstore in Fort Greene, have quickly become beloved institutions. Regularly hosting events like author readings, book clubs, and writing workshops, Brooklyn’s indie bookstores provide an invaluable service.

Brooklyn’s indie bookstores have also played a significant role in promoting diversity in the publishing industry.

Many of these stores prioritize authors and books from underrepresented communities, providing a platform for unheard voices. For example, Café con Libros, a feminist bookstore in Crown Heights, focuses on centering the voices of women of color. Community Bookstore in Park Slope likewise has a robust selection of LGBTQ+ literature.

The history of independent bookstores in Brooklyn dates back to the early 20th century.

It began with stores like Argosy Book Store, established in 1925, and Strand, established in 1927. They paved the way for the new generation of book shops. Independent booksellers continue carrying the legacy of promoting literacy, fostering community, and championing diversity.

Black Spring Books is a story of hope during the pandemic and quarantine.

A fairly recent addition to Brooklyn’s indie bookstores was made by Simona Blat with her store Black Spring Books. It is the quintessential Brooklyn story. Simona Blat was born in Riga, Latvia. She emigrated to Brooklyn in 1990, and is a poet, writer, editor, and teacher at New York University. Being that she always had a deep love for literature, opening a bookshop was a latent dream of hers.

Most wouldn’t think of opening a bookshop at the height of a pandemic and fiscal disaster.

Blat chanced upon this space in Williamsburg in January of 2021, and the price was right for her means. By April Black Spring Books opened. There is another thing that makes this story wonderful however: it is next to the childhood home of Henry Miller. Henry Miller is a famous essayist who wrote extensively on Brooklyn. The store takes its name from Henry Miller’s Black Spring. It is comprised of semi-autobiographical essays written when Miller lived in Brooklyn. Blat said in an interview “When I found the space, located next to Henry Miller’s childhood home, if felt serendipitous.”

Black Spring Books is a one-woman show.

While Simona Blat runs the entire shop herself, her family was involved with building it up. Her family built many of the wooden shelves and much of the furniture in there was salvaged from the street or donated. Black Spring captures much of the d-i-y energy and spirit of the Williamsburg area, which is an artist enclave. Simona Blat is concerned with fostering community, so Black Spring regularly hosts events, ranging from book launches, poetry readings, curated reading series, live music, and comedy shows.

Selling new, used, and vintage reads, Black Spring Books is one of the coolest Brooklyn indie bookstores ever.

All of the great indie bookstores you should visit in Brooklyn.

Black Spring Books

We already talked about Black Spring Books, but did you know a chair of poet Lucie Brock-Broido is there? Sit in this chair for some literary inspiration at 672 Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn.

McNally Jackson

Jackson is a huge store with multiple levels. It’s an airy, well-lit space with many windows. They carry all genres, many indie press publications, and magazines. It is located at 445 Gold St in Brooklyn.

Community Bookstore

For a cozy living room vibe, go here. It’s a small, quiet, softly lit space that looks out onto a patio and garden in the back. They have a wonderful selection of books. There is even a cat that sleepily wanders through the aisles. How can you lose with books and a cat? Find them at 143 7th Ave in Brooklyn.

Powerhouse on 8th

This place packs a lot of punch for its size being rather small. It offers great variety and has a wonderful children’s section, which takes up most of the half-story loft. They regularly have children authors and illustrators do readings. It’s a great little Brooklyn indie bookshop. Visit them at 1111 8th Ave in Brooklyn.

Greenlight Bookstore

This bookshop has a lot to offer with its displays and eye-catching kids’ section. They have a nice selection of indie press books as well. Greenlight has two locations, one at 686 Fulton Street and the other at 632 Flatbush Avenue, both in Brooklyn.

Unnameable Books

This is a small indie Brooklyn bookstore, but mighty nonetheless. They mostly sell books bought from the community, but have a nice selection of books from indie presses and new ones as well. You will find plenty of books signed by local authors. Visit them at 600 Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn.

Desert Island

Desert Island is a comic book oasis. They carry all kinds of comic books, from classics, popular, and self-published. Experimental and underground art fills the walls between the plywood shelves. Visit them at 540 Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn.

Spoonbill & Sugartown

This is one of those old school indie bookstores with that old book smell. Walking into this place you feel like you are stepping back into the beatnik era. Featuring a collection of poetry, literary criticism, and classics that are proudly displayed, you will find rare books here. Visit at 218 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.

Café con Libros

This is an intersectional feminist bookstore and a cafe! Some of their stated values are toward family, community, justice, art, transparency, accountability, earth, and love. Go visit at 724 Prospect Place in Brooklyn.

Strand

This is the Mecca of book lovers in NYC. With four massive floors of books, you can spend hours in this place. Find them at 828 Broadway, on the corner of East 12th Street in Manhattan.

Argosy Book Store

This is the oldest operating bookstore in NYC. The inside has a very old-world, antique feel. They sell vintage, rare, and gorgeously bound books. See their beautiful books at 116 E 59th Street in Manhattan.

As always I, and the team at Brooklynites, thank you for reading. Click back soon. <3

Read more about Argosy Book Store:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argosy_Book_Store

Read more about Powerhouse Bookstores:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerHouse_Books

Go to the Brooklyn Book Festival starting this weekend:

https://brooklynites.nyc/feed-your-head/

Visit Brooklyn’s oldest bars:

https://brooklynites.nyc/brooklyns-oldest-bars/