News Summary
Bluestockings Cooperative, a prominent feminist bookstore in New York City, has announced its impending closure due to financial and operational challenges. Established in 1999, the co-op has served marginalized communities for 26 years. Despite efforts to sustain the business, including a GoFundMe campaign, the collective’s financial troubles remain overwhelming. The decision reflects broader issues faced by community spaces dedicated to social justice amid an increasingly challenging economic environment.
New York City – Bluestockings Cooperative, a significant feminist bookstore and community space, is set to close by the end of 2025. The announcement, made public on September 22, details the shop’s struggles with sustainability due to health, disability, and financial issues faced by the remaining worker-owners and staff. The 26-year-old institution has served as a haven for marginalized communities, including women, queer individuals, and sex workers, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side since its opening in 1999.
Operational challenges have compounded over the years, leading to a financial crisis that precipitated the decision to close. Monthly expenses, specifically a rent of $12,000 along with significant utility bills, have proven to be unmanageable. The collective acknowledged “shared failures” in reaching consensus around operational principles, which further contributed to this outcome. The current situation has led to disputes within the co-op, particularly between co-owners and certain worker-stewards who have expressed feelings of being excluded from crucial decision-making processes.
The bookstore’s financial difficulties are substantial, with nearly $100,000 in debt owed to publishers and distributors. This debt situation has been exacerbated by a reliance on donations for inventory, which became inconsistent over time, preventing new purchases essential for maintaining operations. A recently initiated GoFundMe campaign raised approximately $65,000 for the bookstore; however, these funds have not been sufficient to enable a recovery, leading to the decision to stop purchasing new inventory altogether.
Despite its mission, Bluestockings has faced criticism over the years regarding its harm reduction practices and their perceived role in increased street-level drug use in the area, which has created tension with some neighboring establishments. This context underscores the complex environment in which the bookstore has operated and the challenges that have contributed to its decline.
Bluestockings plans to honor outstanding book orders throughout the remainder of 2025. Memberships will officially cease on December 15, 2025, although the associated perks will continue until that date. The closure decision has sparked surprise and disappointment among staff, many of whom believed a more collaborative approach could have been beneficial. Co-owner Raquel Espasande cited dire financial conditions and a lack of productive dialogue with worker-stewards as motivations behind the announcement.
Moreover, questions arise regarding the legality and ethical implications of the closure process. Some worker-stewards are seeking clarification on their rights within the cooperative structure, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation. As Bluestockings prepares for its final days, there is a sense of loss felt throughout the community that has long depended on the bookstore as a resource for mutual aid, radical politics, and collective care.
The end of Bluestockings marks a significant loss not just for its immediate patrons but for the broader New York City area, as it has served as a model of community solidarity. The unique space that fostered activism, social justice, and support for underserved populations now faces an uncertain future amid mounting pressures and challenges in the city.
This closure reflects not only the struggles of a single cooperative but also the broader difficulties faced by similar spaces dedicated to promoting social justice and support for marginalized communities in an increasingly difficult economic landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Gothamist: Bluestockings Closing
- New York Times: The Bluestockings
- Publishers Weekly: Bluestockings Closure Disputes
- Timeout: NYC Bookstore Closing
- The Guardian: Bluestockings Context
- Wikipedia: Feminist Bookstores
- Google Search: Bluestockings bookstore
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
