An article from The New York Sun discusses that while we have seen some unfortunate downfall of established independent NYC bookstores, there are new ones opening up, some in Brooklyn. Dumbo Brooklyn based powerHouse Books is featured as one of five independent bookstores that opened in the last several months:
In 1995, Daniel Power began powerHouse Books, which publishes high-end photography books, often with a touch of product placement. Along with collections by respected photographers, such as Larry Fink and Joseph Rodriguez, powerHouse has published a book about jeans that features a back-cover ad from the Gap, and a book about weddings with an ad from De Beers.
Last spring, when the publisher lost the lease on its previous, much smaller location in Hudson Square, Mr. Power, 44, saw it as an opportunity to stretch the limits of his company. “It inspired us to think on different levels,” he said. The new space, in DUMBO, just off the East River, was coined the powerHouse Arena. Open since October, it boasts 10,000 square feet, with 25-foot ceilings and windows galore. It will serve as both a bookstore and a multipurpose event space, accommodating 500 people for art exhibits, dance performances, and film screenings. The company has also recently started an eponymous magazine, and is considering adding a bar to the store. “I want to make it a culture space, a destination,” Mr. Power said. “The new building has the ‘wow’ factor.”
The store is currently promoting “Disco Years,” a 200-page photo book by Ron Galella that chronicles the 1970s New York club scene. Shoppers can purchase the book, for $65, as well as any of the dozens of photographs from the era, which are displayed on the store’s walls. A 1977 black-andwhite shot of Studio 54 by Mr. Fink goes for $3,000.
While Powerhouse has been open since November, they have been actively involved in community events and has hosted several event programming.
{Booksellers Fight Back As 5 New Stores Open, The New York Sun, 1/15/07}
{While some famed NYC booksellers close, new stores open, Newsday, 1/15/07}
Previously on DumboNYC.com:
{Meet the PowerHouse Arena staff 11/11, DumboNYC.com}
{powerHouse Event: Human Spare Parts, 11/10 and 11/11, DumboNYC.com}
{PowerHouse Arena’s No Sleep ’til Brooklyn This Weekend, DumboNYC.com}
