New Bookstore To Open In Kew Gardens

KEW GARDENS, QUEENS — Book lovers in Queens are getting a new store after a Kickstarter campaign raised $70,000. The Queens Bookshop Initiative will open what it says is only the second English speaking literature store in the borough in Kew Gardens.

The campaign to open the store started in April 2016, shortly after Barnes & Noble closed its locations in Bayside and Forest Hills. The only other bookshop is the Astoria Bookshop.

"While we have libraries, owning your own book collection from a young age, dog-earing your favorite book (please use bookmarks, we beg you), or writing your thoughts down on the page is an experience that cannot be replicated," read the Kickstarter page.

"These things are what make a book yours."

After almost a year of searching for the right location, the group has found its new home on Lefferts Boulevard, near the Kew Garden Cinema. The founders told QNS that they aim to open the location by the 2017 holiday season.

Founders are calling for volunteers to help them with their first shipment of books, the design for their logo and a mural for the kids' section. Those interested are encouraged to email info@thequeensbookshop.com.

"All throughout the last year, we have been so grateful for our community’s endless encouragement and patience while we worked tirelessly to bring another bookstore to Queens," an update on the campaign page read.

"We are anxious and excited to begin the renovations, which will start very soon."

Book Culture recently announced it would open a location in Long Island City, meaning Queens will soon have three book shops. The initiative welcomed the competition.

"Our borough can only benefit from more bookstores," it said.

"We believe we can co-exist since, as we have stated and our community has realized, we only have ONE general purpose bookstore."

Lead image via Google Maps