Crowdfunding May Save Westsider Books: Report

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A crowdfunding effort may raise enough money to keep Westsider Books, the Upper West Side's last remaining used bookstore, in business, according to reports.

Days after Westsider Books announced that it would be closing in February after a run of 35 years selling used and rare books on the Upper West Side, the business may have a path to survival. The store's owner Dorian Thornley told neighborhood publication the West Side Rag that the store would remain open if a crowdfunding effort generated $50,000 for the business, but that he didn't "see it happening."

The interview prompted Upper West Siders to start a campaign on GoFundMe, which has raised nearly $30,000 in just one day as of this writing. A little more than 300 people have contributed to the fund, some pledging three, four- and five-figure sums.

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Thornley has seen the success of the GoFundMe page and confirmed to the West Side Rag that if the fund hits its goal of $50,000, Westsider Books will not close.

The bookstore launched a closing sale on Tuesday, discounting all items by 30 percent until the store shuts its doors. The store's hours will remain 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the closing sale. Westsider Books is located at 2246 Broadway between West 80th and 81st streets.

GoFundMe is a promotional partner of Patch.

Photo by Bobby Panza courtesy GoFundMe