Strand Bookstore Owner Left $25M To Heirs: Report

UNION SQUARE, NY — The late owner of the Strand Bookstore left $25 million to his heirs in his will, the New York Post reported.

Fred Bass, the owner of the legendary bookstore, died in January at the age of 89.

Bass, who died of congestive heart failure, helped to launch the iconic Manhattan book store from a small second-hand shop to the massive Union Square store that boasts "18 miles of books," which adds up to more than 2.5 million volumes.

The Post reviewed Bass's will and reported that the bookstore icon left behind an estate worth more than $25 million. Bass left the majority of his fortune to his daughter and business partner Nancy Bass Wyden and his wife Patricia Bass, according to the Post. His wife also inherited Bass's personal collection of books in their shared apartment.

Bass also left $300,000 to local charities including the Police Athletic League and the Fresh Air Fund, the Post reported.

The Strand, today located at 828 Broadway, first opened on Fourth Avenue in 1927 with Ben Bass, Fred's father, at the helm, according to the Strand's website. Fred began learning the family business at 13, and eventually took over from his father. He worked at the store constantly throughout this life, aside from a brief stint in the Army, and helped expand the small bookstore into the New York institution it is today.

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