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In the city, there once used to be a holy trinity of Japanese-owned bookstore chains: Kinokuniya, Asahiya, and Book-Off.
Asahiya closed down a few years ago, but back in my high school manga-buying days, I used to go to Kinokuniya and Book-Off all the time. As time went on, however, Book-Off gradually replaced Kinokuniya in my affections, both due to its marketing and ease of access with regards to my train route. In addition, Book-Off also stocked a ton of used English books and CDs on the main floor, turning it into a "one-size-fits-all" kind of place. It was located on 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, and...I was kind of addicted to going there! Along with the Strand, it was my favorite bookstore in the city.
Then a couple of weeks ago, I stopped by there, and much to my shock and horror, I found out that the place had closed down! In the store window, there was a note that said a new location would be opening up on the 17th, a few blocks down on 45th Street. Since I had already planned on going into the city that day, I managed to take a look at the new Book-Off on its first day open.
( have a look inside? )
Asahiya closed down a few years ago, but back in my high school manga-buying days, I used to go to Kinokuniya and Book-Off all the time. As time went on, however, Book-Off gradually replaced Kinokuniya in my affections, both due to its marketing and ease of access with regards to my train route. In addition, Book-Off also stocked a ton of used English books and CDs on the main floor, turning it into a "one-size-fits-all" kind of place. It was located on 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, and...I was kind of addicted to going there! Along with the Strand, it was my favorite bookstore in the city.
Then a couple of weeks ago, I stopped by there, and much to my shock and horror, I found out that the place had closed down! In the store window, there was a note that said a new location would be opening up on the 17th, a few blocks down on 45th Street. Since I had already planned on going into the city that day, I managed to take a look at the new Book-Off on its first day open.
( have a look inside? )
