Bookshop Spotlight: Inside The Strand Book Store, New York’s Iconic Literary Haunt
Welcome to Bookshop Spotlight, Service95’s guide to finding your next literary treasure trove. Whether you’re looking for the next book to keep you up all night, somewhere to visit during your travels or a place to find your people, we’ve got you covered.
It’s the bookshop that regularly tops everyone’s favourites list – with everyone from David Bowie and Bella Hadid to fictional bibliophile Carrie Bradshaw known for browsing its expansive shelves. With a legacy that began in 1927, Strand Book Store has long been New York’s literary darling.
The original owner Ben Bass bought the shop aged 25 for just $600, on a street known as ‘Book Row’ – then home to 48 bookshops across just six blocks. The name was inspired by stories he’d heard of London street the Strand, once home to publishers and frequented by the likes of Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf and John Stuart Mill.
The store quickly garnered a reputation among the writers and artists of Greenwich Village, who gathered there to discuss ideas, sell their books and seek their next literary inspiration. To this day, it is esteemed by authors worldwide. “I have been going to the Strand since I was a kid,” says Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko. “I didn’t have much money to buy books when I was young, so I used to buy their discounted selections on the carts outside the store. The memories of finding a prized book for a few dollars and having money left over in my wallet for a slice of pizza remind me that joy is for everyone. The Strand is a landmark cultural institution disguised as a neighbourhood bookstore, and as both things, this essential literary space allows us readers to be in conversation with writers across time and place.”
It is now New York’s largest independent bookshop, housing more than 2.5 million books. To guide customers through the vast shelves, staff offer personalised recommendations. “My favorite part of the Strand is the Rare Book Room,” says founder Bass’ granddaughter Nancy Bass Wyden, the store’s current owner. “I love the antique leather books lining the walls and their distinctive scent. I can feel the history and words of the classic authors coming alive. I love the serendipity of never knowing what will show up here. One day it is the complete works of Mark Twain, the next it’s a signed autobiography by Helen Keller. I adore watching the room transform at night into an intimate event space, where our curious community gathers to listen and engage with authors.”
The store has hosted celebrated writers including George Saunders, Sally Rooney and Rupi Kaur – and this October, comes another exclusive author evening, in partnership with Service95 Book Club. On Thursday 10 October, Alana S Portero will be at the Strand in converation with journalist Mona Eltahawy to discuss her book Bad Habit – which was Dua’s Monthly Read for September.
08.08.2024
Nancy shares her favourite memory of the store: “Oprah held her book club discussion with [writers] Eva Chen and Elizabeth Strout at the store. Oprah was her usual touching, inspirational self. She talked about her family, reading habits, and, of course, her friendship with [TV host] Gayle [King]. I love that every day holds something new and exciting at the Strand.”
Jamie Styles is Editorial Assistant at Service95
