Recently, it was announced that the Drama Bookshop would be closing, due to their lease ending soon and real estate in NYC skyrocketing. I was crushed- the bookshop was one of my favorite stops in NYC in December 2017. The special store has been a safe haven for artists all over New York. It was founded in 1917 by the Drama League, and is a place where playwrights come to write, find inspiration, and host signings. It houses a blackbox theatre in its basement, and is abound with every book on theatre and drama that you could imagine. In 2011, it won a Tony Honor for Excellency in Theatre.
When I visited, I was welcomed in by the warm atmosphere and friendly employees. Chester the dog was there to greet everyone who walked in the door-- when a store has a dog, you know it's already my favorite place! This bookshop keeps a stock of over 8,000 plays. I wish I had more time to spend in there. It was recently announced that Lin-Manuel Miranda and his Hamilton colleagues have bought the bookshop and are hoping to relocate and open later this year! There is hope after all!
One of my favorite past-times is browsing bookstores. I love fancy, new bookstores as much as the next person, but I am especially fond of second-hand stores. I recently discovered one on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, and visited it twice in one week because I loved it so much.
This shop is called Reader's Corner. Upon arriving, I was browsing the 25 cent and 10 cent books and records outside the shop when I was greeted by Triton the cat (not specifically the shop cat, just a friendly neighbor who has claimed this shop his domain). I walked inside and was transported into another world. Every square inch of Reader's Corner was packed with every genre of book you could imagine. There were records, DVDs, poster prints, and 75 cent vintage postcards for sale. Naturally, I gravitated towards the Drama section, where I found so many plays and books on theatre! I could've spent hours in there. The owners were so kind, and it felt so welcoming. Although I didn't pick up any plays, I found several fiction novels that I cannot wait to read!
Fun fact: all of the random notes, pictures, and clippings on the shelves and walls are all things found in secondhand books!
I encourage everyone, theatre buff or not, to check out their local second-hand stores! It's much more sustainable, and you get to support local business! What could be better?
Source: https://www.dramabookshop.com/about
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