Campaign to save Westsider Books raises $27,000 in just one day

Editor’s Note 1/22/19: Westsider Books has been saved after over 800 people contributed to the campaign, raising more than $52,000 in just four days. The campaign’s organizer, Bobby Panza, told 6sqft: “It’s beautiful to see the community, at large, come together like this. Sometimes you don’t know what you have until the precipice of losing it. Most times you can’t go back and do anything, but here we could. And we did. Thank you to everyone involved. I hope we cherish the great things we love, like Westsider Books and patronize them to keep them in business.”

News broke earlier this week that the beloved Westsider Books, the Upper West Side’s last used book store, would be shutting its doors next month after 35 years at its home on Broadway between 80th and 81st Streets. Co-owner Dorian Thornley had told UWS blog West Side Rag that he would consider staying open if he could raise $50,000. And now a group of locals are trying to do just that, starting a Go Fund Me campaign and raising more than $27,000 in just one day! A tipster tells 6sqft that after hearing the news, a stunned Dorian said, “This renews my faith in humanity.”

Inside Westsider Books, via Google Street View

As 6sqft previously reported, “In addition to the regular internet-age perils, Westsider faced competition from the Barnes & Noble just a block away,” as well as several other local book stores. But none of these specialize in used books, which, among its musty charm and friendly neighborhood feel, make it such a treasured institution.

Dorian says he will use the funds to pay both back and upcoming rent and, of course, to buy more books. To help spread the word, the group behind the campaign has also been distributing fliers at business throughout the neighborhood, including the nearby Barnes & Noble. You can help Westsider reach its goal here >>

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