-- the bookstore.
Even the smallest bookstore still contains more ideas of worth than have been presented in the entire history of television.andrew ross
Dead Poet Books
www.deadpoetbooks.com
(718) 232-7233
1908 86th St (at 19th Ave)
Brooklyn, NY
11214
THE RUNDOWN
'Dead Poet Books' is an independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York. It was under a different name two years ago; the original owner was an elderly man who had passed away, leaving his wife to run things in his place. After a year of struggling, she had decided to simply close it down until Sara, an employee at the time, decided she wasn't so fond of that idea. A few loans, some corporate sponsorship, and a sizeable donation later, Dead Poet Books was born. It's a pretty different place now, what with the new name, new management, new attitude, and a significant facelift.
Though Sara may be something of a literary snob, she has a genuine passion for getting other people to read, so she's more accomodating to the customers than you might expect her to be if you knew her outside of work. The bookstore itself is excellently cared for and doing much better in her hands than it did originally. (After all, there is something to be said for being part of the demographic you hope to attract.)
'Dead Poet Books' is definitely not your local Barnes & Noble, but that tends to work in its favour -- it offers you something different. Along with the typical mass of shelves and literature, there is a little something called atmosphere. Warm and welcoming, the store is quirky and comfortable with strong ties to the community. They often host readings and workshops, as well as open-mic poetry nights and regular book clubs.
THE LAYOUT
In entering the store from off the street, one first passes through a small entranceway. The walls here are usually covered in posters for local events or productions. There's also a large corkboard against the right hand side where people can post personal ads for anything from gaming groups and band members to purebred puppies or antique wristwatches.
From there, it's through the electronic gate (for detecting unpaid merchandise, of course!) and into the store proper -- which is essentially two rooms, one behind the other.
The first room is pretty much just books, books, and more books. The left wall is entirely window, looking out onto the street, but the other three are completely taken up by shelves. In the center are tables with more volumes laid out upon them, generally to showcase new arrivals or weekly themes. To the right, at the back of the room and opposite the window, is the front desk. It has a computer, several boxes of index cards, a cash register, a hand-held barcode scanner, and... Well, a big mess. Papers, pens, novels, nicknacks and post-it notes are in abundance. If Sara isn't sitting there herself, some other employee will be. Prominently featured on the wall behind the desk is the illustrious Wall of Shame. (see MISC.)
On a little table next to the desk is a small commercial Van Houtte coffee machine and a stack of styrofoam cups. The machine serves three kinds of coffee -- light, medium, and dark roast -- as well as a french vanilla cappuccino and hot chocolate. A small taped-on sign reads: "$2.00 a cup!" Occasionally there will be a basket of homemade muffins nearby, courtesy of an employee or very generous loyal customer.
In the center of the back wall, opposite the store entrance and between the shelves, is the archway leading to the second room.
This room is bigger, more open, and brighter. The right side has several parallel rows of bookshelves, while the left is windows again. A seating area is directly below the windows, comprised of six couches arranged in facing pairs with a coffee-table between them. It's a nice place for people to study, read their purchases, have some coffee, skim the paper, and generally feel comfortable. Behind the rows of shelves are several doors, including the washroom and several back rooms whose doors are labelled 'EMPLOYEES ONLY'.
MISCELLANEOUS
• DPB boasts an appreciable selection of both new and used material intermixed upon the shelves. Used copies will bear an easily removable orange sticker, though are also listed appropriately in the computer system.
• Sometimes books will wind up with a colour-coded employee 'Pick of the Week' tag. Customers are encouraged to mock poor literary taste.
• A wifi connection is available, though customers must show a receipt to get the day's password. (Yes, they do actually check the date on the receipt.)
• Yes, the store is wheelchair accessible. (The back rooms are not.)
• The Wall of Shame, prominently featured behind the front desk, is a bulletin board collection of polaroids. Each shoplifter has their photo taken, and next to it goes a snapshot of the merchandise they tried to swipe. Employees are encouraged to write disparaging commentary to their hearts' content.
• Yes, the washroom is unisex. No, the employees have no problem with throwing open the lock if they hear any hanky panky going on inside.
Dead Poet Books
www.deadpoetbooks.com
(718) 232-7233
1908 86th St (at 19th Ave)
Brooklyn, NY
11214
THE RUNDOWN
'Dead Poet Books' is an independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York. It was under a different name two years ago; the original owner was an elderly man who had passed away, leaving his wife to run things in his place. After a year of struggling, she had decided to simply close it down until Sara, an employee at the time, decided she wasn't so fond of that idea. A few loans, some corporate sponsorship, and a sizeable donation later, Dead Poet Books was born. It's a pretty different place now, what with the new name, new management, new attitude, and a significant facelift.
Though Sara may be something of a literary snob, she has a genuine passion for getting other people to read, so she's more accomodating to the customers than you might expect her to be if you knew her outside of work. The bookstore itself is excellently cared for and doing much better in her hands than it did originally. (After all, there is something to be said for being part of the demographic you hope to attract.)
'Dead Poet Books' is definitely not your local Barnes & Noble, but that tends to work in its favour -- it offers you something different. Along with the typical mass of shelves and literature, there is a little something called atmosphere. Warm and welcoming, the store is quirky and comfortable with strong ties to the community. They often host readings and workshops, as well as open-mic poetry nights and regular book clubs.
THE LAYOUT
In entering the store from off the street, one first passes through a small entranceway. The walls here are usually covered in posters for local events or productions. There's also a large corkboard against the right hand side where people can post personal ads for anything from gaming groups and band members to purebred puppies or antique wristwatches.
From there, it's through the electronic gate (for detecting unpaid merchandise, of course!) and into the store proper -- which is essentially two rooms, one behind the other.
The first room is pretty much just books, books, and more books. The left wall is entirely window, looking out onto the street, but the other three are completely taken up by shelves. In the center are tables with more volumes laid out upon them, generally to showcase new arrivals or weekly themes. To the right, at the back of the room and opposite the window, is the front desk. It has a computer, several boxes of index cards, a cash register, a hand-held barcode scanner, and... Well, a big mess. Papers, pens, novels, nicknacks and post-it notes are in abundance. If Sara isn't sitting there herself, some other employee will be. Prominently featured on the wall behind the desk is the illustrious Wall of Shame. (see MISC.)
On a little table next to the desk is a small commercial Van Houtte coffee machine and a stack of styrofoam cups. The machine serves three kinds of coffee -- light, medium, and dark roast -- as well as a french vanilla cappuccino and hot chocolate. A small taped-on sign reads: "$2.00 a cup!" Occasionally there will be a basket of homemade muffins nearby, courtesy of an employee or very generous loyal customer.
In the center of the back wall, opposite the store entrance and between the shelves, is the archway leading to the second room.
This room is bigger, more open, and brighter. The right side has several parallel rows of bookshelves, while the left is windows again. A seating area is directly below the windows, comprised of six couches arranged in facing pairs with a coffee-table between them. It's a nice place for people to study, read their purchases, have some coffee, skim the paper, and generally feel comfortable. Behind the rows of shelves are several doors, including the washroom and several back rooms whose doors are labelled 'EMPLOYEES ONLY'.
MISCELLANEOUS
• DPB boasts an appreciable selection of both new and used material intermixed upon the shelves. Used copies will bear an easily removable orange sticker, though are also listed appropriately in the computer system.
• Sometimes books will wind up with a colour-coded employee 'Pick of the Week' tag. Customers are encouraged to mock poor literary taste.
• A wifi connection is available, though customers must show a receipt to get the day's password. (Yes, they do actually check the date on the receipt.)
• Yes, the store is wheelchair accessible. (The back rooms are not.)
• The Wall of Shame, prominently featured behind the front desk, is a bulletin board collection of polaroids. Each shoplifter has their photo taken, and next to it goes a snapshot of the merchandise they tried to swipe. Employees are encouraged to write disparaging commentary to their hearts' content.
• Yes, the washroom is unisex. No, the employees have no problem with throwing open the lock if they hear any hanky panky going on inside.