Final Chapter for Brownstone Books?

There has been some talk in the community of the possibly closure of Brownstone Books, 409 Lewis Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Today, we received an email from a reader stating this this might be true. The email is supposedly from the owner of Brownstone Books,  Crystal Bobb-Semple. The email states that the closure will happen at the end of this month.

Subject: Brownstone Books 2000-2010

Good afternoon, all.  Yes, the subject line is correct.  I’ve made the decision to close Brownstone Books at the end of this month.  As you know we have been struggling along in this recession like many business-large and small (I’ve had many Fuld-esque days) and this summer I began contemplating a transition of ownership.  But, like Lehman, we just couldn’t get the capital raise going as effectively. Where are those Koreans when you need them? In any case with no bailout or takeover on the horizon it is just not worthwhile to continue.

I love, love, love “Too Big to Fail” for a number of reasons including the speed at which folks move from one great venture/opportunity to the next.  I don’t know what my next venture will be but I am very excited at the prospects of finding a new outlet for my considerable talents (be quiet Gordon!).  Nonetheless, I cannot thank each of you enough for your support through the years and I look forward to us continuing to meet as a book club.  Nothing need change, save for our location.  We can meet at Peaches, Therapy or any number of other places.  Let’s talk more about it at our meeting on the 20th.

If this is true, it is yet another sad day in Bed-Stuy for a loss of a local business.