By Melinda Katz
The Forest Hills Barnes & Noble has been a neighborhood treasure and retail anchor on Austin Street for over two decades. Countless families—including my own—frequent the bookstore on a regular basis.
Whether for weekly story time with the kids or schools wrapping gifts during the holidays or catching up with friends, the Forest Hills Barnes & Noble is an integral part of the community’s daily story.
While the financial challenges that bookstores and landlords face in an ever-changing market are both undeniable and understandable, just as certain is the deep level of organic support from throughout community to have the Forest Hills Barnes & Noble remain open.
In recent weeks, my office has reiterated this in candid discussions on behalf of the community with both Muss Development LLC and Barnes & Noble, and urged an agreement. Most encouraging has been to hear from both parties a mutual desire to stay open for business on Austin Street.
Forest Hills Barnes & Noble is good for families, and therefore good for Queens. It is in everyone’s interest to reach an agreement to keep the Forest Hills Barnes & Noble open, and I and my office remain available to be of any assistance to this end.
Melinda Katz
Queens Borough President
