BGSQD Queer Bookstore Coming to NYC Needs Your Answers

At last! Some literary folk are scouting locations likely in the East Village or the Lower East Side for a new queer bookstore and café opening in late 2012. It's a mouthful: The Bureau of General Services - Queer Division. To get the store right, they need you to fill out this survey, and to make it useful, you must "please be brutally honest." 

Take the survey now. They want your thoughts even if you live outside the NYC area.

Your high enthusiasm for the store will not blind you to the survey's low points. Question #7 is a little simplistic, missing trends in rent increases, queers reading more non-queer books, the long tail, and OWMB being badly stocked:

"7. Why do you think there are no longer any LGBTQ-specific bookstores in NYC? Please check all answers that reflect your opinion. 

"Note: A Different Light closed in 2001. Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop closed in 2009. Bluestockings is an excellent resource for queers, but its mission is broader than the mission of a bookstore that specifically seeks to serve LGBTQ communities.

Amazon.com and other online booksellers drove independent bookstores out of business.

Barnes & Noble and other large chains drove independent bookstores out of business.

The demand for e-books has lessened the demand for print books.

The current economic crisis forced LGBTQ bookstores (and many other small businesses) to close.

LGBTQ people no longer need our/their own bookstores. Most booksellers sell LGBTQ titles.

People read fewer books than they used to.

I don't know.

Other.

Typically, they want to know your race, gender, zip code, and income. Yet in more than twenty questions on your preferences in book buying and café snacking, they never ask about price. Real people make decisions, in part, based on cost. Anyone opening a bookstore in today's market ought to wonder if their customers demand discounting. Or are you willing to overpay in order to support a physical, browsable queer space? Are you cool with crazy expensive cookies? Do they need to be organic, gluten-free, fair trade, and versatile? Not asked. Instead, the survey wonders, basically, should the store be a Bloomsbury sitting room or a Berlin sex club? Speaking of, they also want to know how important it is to you that the staff and customers look hot. Ruh roh. 

Find BGSQD online or on FB. Their ambitious statement after the jump.

"The Bureau of General Services—Queer Division is a queer bookstore and café opening in New York City in late 2012. We aim to foster a community invested in the values of mindfulness, intellectual curiosity, justice, compassion, and playfulness. The Bureau seeks to excite and educate a self-confident, sex-positive, and supportive queer community by offering books, publications, and art and by hosting reading groups, authors’ talks, and performances. We will provide local and visiting queers and friends with an open and inclusive space for dialogue and socializing. The Bureau of General Services – Queer Division welcomes you."

Comments

[Steve N]

Stephen, thanks for bringing this to my attention. You know how I feel about bookstores and the East Village!!!

[David Perkins]

WOuld love a new LGBTQ bookstore in NYC!

[new york city]

It's veritable that bookstore is too require in our city's. so have you take that tread on about the bookstore it's decisively awesome & helpful for the human being. i will help you , regarding this. so carry on your compatible step. i have with you. no tension..........

[Greg Newton]

Thanks, Stephen, for posting the link to the Bureau of General Services–Queer Division's survey on your blog! The Bureau appreciates your support--and your feedback on the survey. Duly noted. We look forward to meeting you. We'll be at the NY Art Book Fair from Thurs., Sept. 27-Sun., 30:http://nyartbookfair.com. Please stop by.
Greg