Barnes & Noble Renews Lease On Austin Street
As other bookstores close, local retailer soldiers on in Forest Hills.
While brick-and-mortar bookstores in other parts of the city and the country may be closing, Forest Hills has at least one literary retailer that isn’t going anywhere.
Muss Development, owners of the shopping center at 70-00 Austin Street, announced this week that the Forest Hills Barnes & Noble store has extended its lease.
The store, which opened on Austin Street in 1995, has extended its lease through January 2016, according to Russ Colchamiro, a spokesman for the landlord.
Leslie Brown, the president of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, said she was "thrilled" by the news.
"It brings a lot of people into the area and they're a thriving business, so we think it's a great thing," Brown said.
The bookstore anchors the western end of Austin Street, the most high-profile retail strip in Forest Hills, and includes a Starbucks coffeehouse, as well. It’s not unfamiliar to see local residents reading in both the coffee shop and on the bookstore’s second floor.
Jason Muss, of Muss Development, touted the area in a statement after the announcement of the renewal.
“With a constant flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and even a place to park your car, Austin Street has a virtual parade of potential customers moving up and down the street and sidewalk all day long,” Muss said.
The book store is located across the street from a New York Sports Club, and in the same complex as a TGI Friday’s, Eddie Bauer and Men’s Wearhouse.
In This article
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Barnes & Noble Booksellers
7000 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY -
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New York Sports Clubs
6947 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY -
T.G.I. Friday's
7000 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY -
Eddie Bauer
7000 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY -
Men's Wearhouse
7000 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY
Ken
8:27 pm on Saturday, May 21, 2011
It is sad that so many bookstores have closed, including many of B&N. Along with the now virtually nonexistant music stores, these are places to be educated as well as to purchase. By browing, you can learn many things you can't learn by online purchases. The particular branch is an important spot in our community and I welcome its continuation. (I was just there today!)
LR
2:21 pm on Monday, May 23, 2011
I love the B&N on Austin St. Great selection of books and the store is always busy. I'm glad they're sticking around. Many shops along Austin Street haven't been so lucky.
Donna Stephens
2:47 pm on Saturday, June 4, 2011
I am new to the city and I was thrilled to learn that a B&N was so close. I love to take my grandson there and read as well as purchase books for him. Very excited that they will be staying put!
Stephen Melnick
8:12 pm on Saturday, June 4, 2011
B&N is a major anchor store in Forest Hills. Without it, foot traffic in the area would surely be reduced. Let's hope that the private equity group is effective in saving it.
Otherwise there will be another hole to fill 5 years hence. What's a vibrant community without a bookstore?