Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
St. Mark's Bookshop DENIED Rent Reduction From Cooper Union
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Oct 26, 2011
Modified Oct 26, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Oct 26, 2011
Modified Oct 26, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The long, sad saga of the St. Mark's Bookshop vs. Cooper Union has come to an end today, as Cooper Union hands down its final word: there shall be no rent reduction.
Instead of granting the Bookshop's request for a $5000 monthly reduction, Cooper Union instead is offering to postpone one month's rent that the store can pay back over the terms of the lease, which has another seven years. "What it amounts to in reality is a $27,000 loan with no interest that we can pay back over seven years," Bookshop co-owner Bob Contant told us. "But that's not a gift, that's not forgiveness—it's either they're collecting now or they're collecting later." During the meeting, a Cooper Union vice president told Contant and co-owner Terry McCoy that the school is "broke."
"St. Marks is not getting a rent reduction. Books: so unimportant to EVERYTHING FOR WHICH HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD STAND," tweeted Soho bookstore McNally Jackson this morning upon hearing the news, which highlights just how strongly the lit community has rallied around the plight of the Bookshop. "The most heartening aspect of this whole thing has been the support shown by the community," Contant told us. "We've had very good business over the past two months—people not only signed the petition, but they actually bought books."
As of right now, the Bookshop is not in "imminent" danger of closing, though Contant and McCoy are scrambling to put together a plan for the future. "We had been optimistic that Cooper Union would offer us something, but they offered us nothing," said Contant. "We're still trying to come to terms with that."
UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Joyce Ravitz of the Cooper Square Committee has told us that that Committee is "very disappointed" with Cooper Union's decision, and that the organization is planning some "other tactics" to help the store.
UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: The New York Times Local is reporting that Cooper Union has NOT made an official decision. “I can’t control what the bookstore says,” said a Cooper Union spokeswoman, adding there is a possibility the owners misunderstood the officials. “A decision has not been made.” We've placed calls to Cooper Union and will update when we find out more.
Tagged
books
cooper union
denial
east village
rent
st mark's bookshop
Jamie Feldmar
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .