Bayside bookstore to close

Book lovers and regular customers at The Book Shop, 214-05 41st Avenue, Bayside, may be sad to hear that the store will be closing for the last time on January 20 but they can take heart in the final sale which has cards and toys at 40 percent off, and a buy one - get three free deal on used books.
Having survived the arrival of a Barnes & Noble which led to the closure of Walden Books on Bell Boulevard, The Book Shop's owner, Harriet Gasparri has decided to retire because she wants to spend more time with her grandchildren.
The store, which sells up-market greeting cards and toys in addition to used books, will be sadly missed by its patrons.
Laurie Cytryn had just rushed in between meetings to look for Chanukah cards. &#8220I was really pleased with what I found,” she said as she headed back to work. With only one day of Chanukah left Cytryn thought she'd missed out, but instead found exactly what she was looking for there. &#8220I like these small, unique stores, they add flavor to the neighborhood. The cards I got there were really different,” she said.
Unlike most writers, Gasparri has made a good living selling almost exclusively fiction. Her shelves are packed with mass market and paperback romances, mysteries and classics. Despite the success of the store she is going to close the doors and won't even consider offers from anyone wanting to keep the store going.
Edward Fox didn't know where he would get his books once the store closes. He buys most of his books here, reads them and then donates them to the VA hospital. He comes here because, &#8220I can get used books at good prices.” He buys his hardcover books in Connecticut but will have to search for a new used book store. &#8220There's always library sales,” he said.
The store, which also acts as a book exchange, has a large following of regular customers. &#8220They are readers, they read everything,” Gasparri said.
The store will be open six days per week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until stocks run out or until January 20.