St. Mark's Bookshop Scouts for Another Location

St. Mark's Bookshop, a community staple for more than three decades, is looking for another home in the East Village.

Co-owner Bob Contant said the rent's too high, especially for an industry that's still struggling to recoup losses from the economic collapse in 2008. But he said he still believes in the future of bookselling. "I think there's...going to always be print books," he said. "It's just a different kind of readership. People who collect books, people who want to have books in their home."

Contant said he's looking to change the store into a hybrid, non-profit bookstore, which would mean more community events like readings, book fairs and workshops. He's looking for another, smaller location in the East Village.