Oldest Gay Bookstore Closing

[Lucky]

From kennethinthe212.com:

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Shoppers Not Wilde Enough for Oscar

Sure made me sad to read that the famed Oscar Wilde Bookstore in the West Village, believed to be the oldest gay and lesbian bookstore in the country, has announced it will close on March 29 after 41 years in business. This isn't the first time the shop has been on the brink of extinction -- six years ago it was set to shutter when a new owner came to the rescue -- but with the current economic climate it seems certain this is the end. I hate that a shop that played such a pivotal role in the lives of so many of my brothers and sisters is perishing, yet at the same time I find myself buying all of my books online these days (and I can't help but buy all my CDs and DVDs online because all those shops have already gone under), so I can't say I'm not partially responsible for its demise, too.

Kim Brinster, the store’s manager since 1996 and the store’s fifth owner (since 2006), sent the following e-mail to customers on Tuesday afternoon.

It is with a sorrowful heart that after 41 years in business the Oscar Wilde Bookshop will close its doors for the final time on March 29, 2009. We want to thank all of our customers for their love and loyalty to the store over the years. You have helped make this store a world wide destination and all of us at the store have enjoyed welcoming our neighbors whether they are next door or half way around the world.

In 1967 Craig Rodwell started this landmark store that not only sold Gay and Lesbian literature but also became a meeting place for the LGBT community. Over the years it grew into a first-rate bookshop thanks to the loyal, smart and dedicated staff. There are not enough words to thank these dedicated booksellers for making the OWB one of the world’s finest LGBT bookstores. I feel very honored to have gotten to work with them.

Unfortunately we do not have the resources to weather the current economic crisis and find it’s time to call it a day. So thanks to all who have been a part of the Oscar Wilde family over the years, you have truly been a part of a great global community.

[BigK]

This is very sad. But then the only constant in life is change. And we're seeing a lot of change these days. Whole industries are on the brink of going under like Newspapers. It's important to constantly reinvent your business to stay relevant.

[Guest mineallmine]

I have heard that quite a few smaller bookstores are going under not only because of the economy but just because people are ordering more online and the bigger chain stores are taking away their business. I try to frequent the local book stores here in SD as much as possible when I get the chance.

[Lucky]

Even in LA, the two gay rags, In and Frontiers, are consolidating into one.

[BigK]

The Seattle Dispatch Intelligencer, after failing to sell itself, is shutting down. That's a major American city!