Venerable Bookstore to Close in Village

By SEWELL CHAN
Published: February 3, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/nyregion/04bookstore.html?_r=1

The Oscar Wilde Bookshop in Greenwich Village, which is believed to be the oldest gay and lesbian bookstore in the country, will close on March 29, its owner announced on Tuesday, citing economic troubles.

The original store opened in 1967 on Mercer Street.

The store nearly closed six years ago, only to be sold and given a last-minute reprieve.

It was opened in 1967 on Mercer Street by Craig L. Rodwell, who was influential in the gay rights movement. It later moved to 15 Christopher Street. Mr. Rodwell, who inspired owners of gay bookshops around the country and who helped organize the city's first gay pride parade in 1970, died of stomach cancer in 1993.

We lost two of our oldest bookstores in the Bay Area this past year.  The net has made it hard for such stores to survive I think.  Its not like electronic stuff where you might need someone with technical expertise, as most book buyers know exactly what they want.

Sorry to see them go.

Darn, I hope Giovanni's Room in Philly keeps going. Their range is wide including a decent selection of books on trans-therapy, health and education. Nice fiction as well and excellent lesbian and gay selections.

R~