On December 31st, 2012, Barnes & Noble at Sixth Avenue and West 8th Street closed. A bookstore had been there at this corner location for years; Barnes & Noble had taken over the space from the B. Dalton chain (the corner had previously been the home of a Nathan’s hot dogs restaurant). People had a mixed relationship to Barnes & Noble over the years viewing it as a chain that had gobbled up the independent book stores. (Some thought the closure was karma.) West 8th Street for years at one time had its own thriving indie bookstore scene.
Nine months after the store shuttered, this blog got a tip that TD Bank was coming to 396 Avenue of the Americas. This was confirmed by DNAinfo; a bank spokesperson told the site, “The bank will open in 2015.” And yet, the space has remained vacant with no visible construction.
WSP Blog reached out to TD Bank and a spokeswoman commented, “We do not have specific details for this particular site. We are currently researching this and other locations in Manhattan, but have not finalized any Store openings at this time.”
And yet they had confirmed it back in 2013. Something must have gone astray. Is it possible TD Bank could not afford the rent there?
What will become of this highly visible corner? Funny how I (sorry) sort of miss the Barnes & Noble. That big hulking empty building just looks so sad.
For something more positive, here is a fantastic map of bookstores in New York City and elsewhere and the site author’s favorites.
Note: Some of the items have not been updated to reflect some bookstores which have moved or closed but still a creative, clever map.
Previously at Washington Square Park Blog:
Barnes & Noble 8th Street Closing November 30, 2012
Is TD Bank Coming to Former Barnes & Noble Space at Sixth Avenue? September 20, 2013
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Photo of Barnes & Noble via Showbiz 411, image alteration by WSP Blog
Other photos: Cathryn
You may want to update your bookstore list. St. Mark’s moved to East. 3rd street, and the Harvard Co-op has been managed by none other than Barnes & Noble for decades. The Harvard Bookstore on Mass Ave is a much better store.
Hey Toni,
You can drop a note to Jesse who runs that bookstore site here: http://jkrweb.com/shelf/?book=bookstores It is her list, maybe a few things are outdated but still it is very nicely done. Thanks. I amended the post to note this.
Cathryn
I’m confused. Why do you say that this location will not be a TD Bank?
The spokesman said: “We do not have specific details for this particular site. We are currently researching this and other locations in Manhattan, but have not finalized any Store openings at this time.” As I read it, that does not confirm that this location will not be a TD Bank. It just says that they haven’t finalized any plans.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your comment. Initially, the TD Bank people were confirming it outright. Then they would not acknowledge its existence. It has been over two years now. It possible but I would be very surprised.
Cathryn
Here is the virtual job folder with the Dept of Building for 396 6th ave. most of this paper work had been submitted back in 2013/14 some of it has just been scanned into the folder .
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/BScanVirtualJobFolderServlet?requestid=3&allisn=0002221110&passjobnumber=121825819&passdocnumber=01&allbin=1008936
Great find, Mary. It is so curious that they (TD) went before Landmarks in 2013 and now it is either stalled or has evaporated. I did not go through other city agency documents – maybe there is more there.
Thanks so much for posting!
Cathryn
According to this, they signed a lease a long time ago: http://thevillager.com/2015/11/26/scoopys-week-of-nov-26-2015/
Hi Sasha, thanks for your comment and the link. I knew TD signed a lease (actually that date noted in the piece seems later than what I believe to be accurate) but something feels off about the whole thing. I will look into it again and with this information from the BID.
Thanks!
Cathryn