Adiós Lectorum—The Landmark New York City Bookstore Will Close

by Aída Bardales -- Críticas, 9/15/2007

Almost 50 years after it first opened on 14th Street, New York City’s landmark bookstore Librería Lectorum will close its doors September 30. Following much speculation about the future of the store, Lectorum Publications, one of the largest and oldest Spanish-language book distributors in the United States and owner of Lectorum, confirmed that the retail business will shift to its website. 

The building’s landlords, sons of Lectorum founder Argentinian Gerome Gutiérrez, and Scholastic, which has owned Lectorum Publications since 1996, were unable to reach an agreement after negotiating for over a year. "People feel strongly about the store—it's a landmark for the community," one of the Gutiérrez brothers told the New York Daily News, adding that it was a shame that the publishing giant refused to pay for the new lease, which, he said, was 30 percent below market rate.

According to Teresa Mlawer, president of Lectorum Publications, the neighborhood has gentrified over the years and foot traffic has dropped way down. Scholastic considered finding a new home for the bookstore but ultimately opted to move online. “More and more Latinos are going online,” Mlawer told Críticas, adding that they are still considering locations within New York City and across the country as well. “Many major cities still have few, if any, Latino bookstores…. We want to expand our [brand].”

Mlawer said she’s received countless emails from New Yorkers sad about the store closing. “Though we’ve always known it, we were moved to see just how many people loved the bookstore.” She says they have replied to many already and have promised to continue serving the Latino community.

According to Mlawer, the shift to the Internet will result in a more consumer-geared website, as the site currently serves mostly teachers and librarians, and could include Spanish-language content and even reviews. 

Since it first opened its doors in 1960, the bookstore has served as a vibrant hub for Latino culture and has hosted events with many Spanish-language authors, including Eduardo Lago, Isabel Allende, and others. Lectorum Publications will now hold special readings and Latino-themed events at Scholastic stores in Manhattan’s SoHo and Midtown areas.