Everything at B. Dalton is 30% off now, plus other savings. I've gotten a few good finds for like $5-$10. I definitely plan on going back in the next few weeks as prices are reduced.

The Book Room On Grove (364 Grove) and the Imagine Atrium at 528 Jersey are no more?

That's a shame about JC losing its last bookstore. What does it say about the City, and its inhabitants, that not one bookstore can stay in business?? But, to be perfectly honest, the bookstore business model is a tough one in today's day and age: lots of people get their books online (as I do) and others will simply choose to save by borrowing books from the local public library (which I also do on occasion) so the prospective buyers pool has definitely been shrinking for quite some time.

B Dalton in Jersey City is closing in a couple of weeks. So now, no bookstore in JC at all.

Nobody mentioned that great big book store on Jersey Ave known as "the library".

Nevertheless the whole quirky independent book store thing won't work because there's not a big enough audience here. C'est la vie. Maybe when the real estate market bounces back and more people move in around here. I crack myself up.

Quote:

Wrong, my friend. There is a bookstore with a Jersey City address. It's not the delightful little independent store selling cheap used books everyone else on this thread desires, in fact it's not even that great a store - a very small location owned by one of the retail behemoths, Barnes & Noble (but its not a Barnes & Noble). It's a B.Dalton Bookseller in the Newport Mall. It's small, cramped and the selection isn't great, but it is a bookstore within the Jersey City limits. Better than nothing I guess.

Much as I'd like to see an independent bookstore in J.C. too, you gotta admit that the small independent bookstore has been a dying breed for some time now, like the travel agency. The sale of books on the internet, both new and used, through Amazon and other sites where prices can be easily compared has pushed prices down and squeezed a lot of retail players, both big and small, out of the game. Of course, few book retailers could match the buying power of Barnes & Noble and Borders, who have managed to squash much of what little retail competition is left pushing prices down as well. By and large, independent bookstores that remain are either large and have that "cult-like" status like The Strand does, or are specialty stores that sell rare and antiquarian.

That said, if you do want to still support the independent bookstore and get a good deal on books, used and new, the American Booksellers Exchange is an association of independent bookstores, and they have formed a website where you can search for the books you want, then the website will list the independent bookstores around the country selling what you're looking for, and then you can purchase online, straight from the independent store. Not the same as walking to one in Jersey City, but at least you're supporting the small businessperson and giving a shot in the arm to a largely dying business.

www.abebooks.com is the site.

I love the Sunday Book sale at the church! The selection rotates faster than you would think and clearly the people donating books to this place have excellent and diverse tastes in what they read. The price is as right as any price could ever be on anything you could ever buy. The only drawback is that it?s only on Sunday.
I agree with everyone else that there needs to be a bookstore in the city, it makes us look like a bunch of slobs that there could be a city this size yet NOT have a SINGLE bookstore.

The one on Grove was kick ass. It was all used books, so you could go in there with $10 and walk out with a bunch of oddball stuff you'd never see anywhere else that would last you weeks. One of top few businesses in Jersey City that I was REALLY sorry to see go.

We've had them. The last two, one on Grove and one on Jersey, went out of business.

I think a bookstore would be great but I don't think now is the time. There is not enough critical mass yet. I hope this changes.

WOW first post - well done. I think that would be a good idea for the people who live locally and don't have a car/don't want to take the path to hoboken/nyc to go to Barnes and Noble, etc. It's rare that you see a non-chain bookstore these days.

I can't believe that downtown Jersey City doesn't have a bookstore (no, the one in the mall doesn't count). The Grove St area seems like the perfect place to open a bookstore/cafe. What do you think? Would it work?

Quote:

Awesome. Thanks!

Can I just "bring a book"? Or like 13 of them?

Yes, they do accept donations of books.

You will also be able to ?bring a book ? take a book? at city?s book fair to be held in VVP Sept. 13th (much more info to follow).

Local authors should contact Cultural Affairs if you want to participate in this event.

-parkman

Quote:

Do they accept book donations? I have at least a dozen books left over from a book swap months ago.

(and if you guys are reading this, I promised I would donate the leftovers...just didn't say I would do it soon...lol).

I would love to see the new Strand Annex in JC...not that it will happen. Which by rhe way then Fulton Street location is probably going to be finished by end of august. Anyone know if the sales have gotten better? It was 20 percent off everything a few weeks ago.

Would anyone be interested in doing a book swap?

People in publishing are just as wierd.

Quote:


Ditto. Three Lives & Co is a fantastic bookstore. I never know what I'm going to find there, but I always know I'll find something good.

I love a small bookstore like Three Lives & Co on west 10th in the West Village. Such a store here would be wonderful. I know west 10th and West Village but the westside to big.

There used to be a bookstore on Grove or Newark. I think it was a used bookstore. This was 8 years ago now.

It would be nice to have another small, independent bookstore, but for those, you need a community of readers. Sorry, maybe I'm too judgmental, but I think the yuppie tower people are more like Barnes & Noble customers-- they want to be told what to read. I used to work at a B&N-- very little respect for the books, among people of all classes.

Not sure where a Barnes & Noble could go. Ideally somewhere where low-income people (without cars) could walk to.

In Maine, where I once lived, there were many small bookstores, and only one B&N-- an hour away, in Augusta. I miss that.

Not a bookstore, but Grace Van Vorst Church on Erie has a book sale on Sundays, 12:30 until 4:30, I believe. 50 cents for all paperbacks, $1 for hardcover. Selection is hit or miss but you can find some good stuff. And for 50 cents, you don't have to feel like you wasted 15 dollars if you hate it.

Thanks to all. I will check out the mall. When it somes to bookstores I like to peruse around because sometimes I have nothing in mind. I am suprised as was written by someone here that they have not put a bookstore with all the construction. Oh well. Thanks again.

unless you know what exactly what you are looking for, it is a lot easier to browse and sample the goods in a real store as opposed to a virtual store. Unlike music, where it is easier to sample the goods in a virtual store than a real store.

It is so much cheaper to buy books online, I don't know why anyone would go to a bookstore. Unless you absolutely need to have a brand new copy, you can usually buy used copies online for a fraction of the original price.

Quote:

That is a good idea - not sure if it's ready for a full B&N just yet. :)

As of now, best places for books are B&N in Hoboken, somewhere in the city (I go to Borders on B'Way near Wall St.), or Amazon.com. ;) B.Dalton's in the mall is the best place downtown, but is still very limited.

Quote:

B. Dalton is owned by Barnes & Nobles so maybe they will upscale and enlarge soon. They really need to make it an anchor store - I still think it would be best placed where the first floor of parking exists now -- it will help integrate the Mall to Downtown.

There's a small bookstore in the Newport Mall. I believe it's called B Dalton Booksellers.

We need a Barnes and Noble. Pain in the a** driving to Hoboken and double parking.

Are there any bookstores in the downtown area? Just moved here and have not seen any in the downtown.