Sunday, November 1, 2009
Books Bailey/Coy Books Is Closing
Posted by Paul Constant on Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Chris Kissel over at Publicola broke the news earlier tonight: Bailey/Coy Books on Broadway will be closing by the end of this month. (Kissel is a bookseller at Bailey/Coy.)
Here's the press release that Michael Wells, the owner of Bailey/Coy, has sent out:
Bailey/Coy Books, after serving the Capitol Hill community, the greater Seattle area and generations of book lovers everywhere for 26 years, will be closing its doors at the end of November. This has not been an easy decision for us. We have struggled, along with independent bookstores across the country, for the last decade to keep our bookstore profitable and healthy. The economic downturn of the past year, combined with the rapidly changing world of bookselling, has led us to believe that this is the most responsible decision.Starting this week, we will begin a closing sale with everything in the store marked down 20 percent. Gift certificates and redeemable book cards will be accepted until the final closing date, at the end of November.
The recent news that Elliott Bay Book Company is considering moving to Capitol Hill has no bearing on this decision. We wish Elliott Bay Book Company and all Seattle independent bookstores the best of luck in this challenging time.
The rest of the release is after the jump.
Bailey/Coy Books began as B. Bailey Books, founded by Barbara Bailey, in the Rainier Square building in 1977. In 1982 she opened a second store on Broadway and in 1983 that store became Bailey/Coy Books. That year she sold the downtown store and Broadway became the store’s home. In 2003 Barbara retired from the bookselling business and sold the store to Michael Wells, the manager of the store since 1989.Barbara created a bookstore that was not only a model of the best in bookstores but was also specifically designed to welcome a lesbian and gay clientele. The American bookselling landscape at that time included general independents and lesbian and gay stores but rarely did those two models mix. Barbara wanted to create a store where the best in general literature existed side by side with the best in lesbian and gay books. Today that seems like a fairly pedestrian idea, but in 1982 it was nothing short of revolutionary. We remain proud of our long history with the Seattle lesbian and gay community and the rich and varied culture that that community has supported over the years.
We have been active participants in the Broadway Business Improvement Area, the Mayor’s Task Force on Broadway and the newly formed Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce. We have been deeply involved in the Capitol Hill community for over 20 years. It is our belief that this bookstore could not have flourished the way it once did in any other Seattle neighborhood. Capitol Hill’s history of diversity, eccentricity and a commitment to the arts are a part of our history that we cherish. Capitol Hill rules.
We would like to thank the customers and friends who have come through our doors in the last two decades. Our bookstore is a community that includes all of you. We urge you to continue to support independent business and especially independent bookstores. It makes a world of difference.
Again, thank you to all of our customers, to the hundreds of authors who have read in our store, to all of the Pacific Northwest bookselling community and book lovers everywhere. We are honored to have been part of your lives.
And a special thank you to the marvelous people who have staffed Bailey/Coy Books over the years. We have been lucky enough to work with the best and brightest in the Seattle community. We cannot begin to tell you how those people have enriched our lives and the life of this store.
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7
Just when I was in an inexplicably happy mood for once, this. Ugh. I wish I had a hundred thousand bucks so that I could add a room to the house, so that they maybe I would have room for more books - books I could then have bought the books that might have saved Shoreys, Beattie, M Coy, Standard Books, Horizon, Take Another Look, Buy the Book, Red & Black, Bailey Coy, etc etc etc.
Let’s all resolve to give books this year, and get them at Elliott Bay, University Bookstore, Mystery Bookstore, the Columbia City Book Exchange, Left Bank, and any other indie you can find.
Let’s all resolve to give books this year, and get them at Elliott Bay, University Bookstore, Mystery Bookstore, the Columbia City Book Exchange, Left Bank, and any other indie you can find.
8
Who spent $200.00 there in the last year? - quit your stupid crying. To keep a business open required paying customers, not emotion based on air head stuff. I buy all my books there.
You all should have done the same.
Too bad. Very too bad.
You all should have done the same.
Too bad. Very too bad.
9
First they came for the Taco Bell, and I did not speak out—because I was not a fan of Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes...
10
Word @2. It really is sad that the small, independent book-store is no longer a viable business model. Not because those businesses provide so much better value to their customers (if they did, the model would continue to be viable), but because so many of those stores are the bearers of the cultural souls of their neighborhoods.
I lived on Capitol Hill in the early 90s. Every time I visit now, I am newly shocked at how much shabbier it is, despite how much more money is there now.
I lived on Capitol Hill in the early 90s. Every time I visit now, I am newly shocked at how much shabbier it is, despite how much more money is there now.
12
Someone should just take a gun and get Capitol Hill and get it out of it's misery.
What the fuck is left on Broadway at this point? Holy Fuck.
Oh, thanks a lot to the rich breeder yuppies who moved in and chose not to support your local businesses. Real real classy!!
What the fuck is left on Broadway at this point? Holy Fuck.
Oh, thanks a lot to the rich breeder yuppies who moved in and chose not to support your local businesses. Real real classy!!
13
Right--let's forgive the asshole hipsters who don't buy books but sit for hours reading a bookstore's stock- in- trade.
14
How many millions of dollars were spent at Amazon in the surrounding ten blocks in the past year?
The problem isn't just books or bookstores. If retail dies, the things that make our cities livable die. We're becoming a nation of nail shops and teriyaki joints.
The problem isn't just books or bookstores. If retail dies, the things that make our cities livable die. We're becoming a nation of nail shops and teriyaki joints.
15
@8 I did!
OMG, I love that place so much. It's the only bookstore I really care about. I'm SO bummed out.
OMG, I love that place so much. It's the only bookstore I really care about. I'm SO bummed out.
17
Also, how long until one of the Seattle Times' commenters logs in and says this doesn't matter because they get all their books at Costco...
18
That's sad news indeed. I always tried to visit them when I found myself on Capitol Hill. Here's hoping Elliott Bay makes a good run for it if they make the move.
21
Jesus. Full circle. Guilt. When Bailey/Coy opened how we pooh-hooed it. Aimed too nakedly at the aspiring-class gays. Gentrification of Broadway, bleaugh. Queer section too cramped to make it a real gay bookstore. Fiction a mile wide and an inch deep. These little handwritten staff reviews - what, you figure I'm illiterate? (Of course I am, don't remind me.)
Now that it's too late, I take it all back. Don't know what you've got til it's gone.
Now that it's too late, I take it all back. Don't know what you've got til it's gone.
22
In the last year or two they stopped stocking any science or science fiction books I wanted to read. They shrunk their magazine rack by about two thirds, and covered an entire wall with greeting cards. (?!) The last couple times I've gone in there, I couldn't find one thing I was looking for. Still though, I've still got 3 half filled out punch cards for a free book though. I think I'll pass on using it.
23
Fuck. I just moved to the hill, too. Well, I guess I'll buy some discounted books there in the next month.
24
Can someone tell me why Amazon (along with all other internet retailers) still gets their sales tax exemption?
25
I will miss their fantastic note-card reviews. Some guy named Michael drove 100 percent of my reading choices from 1992–2000 (about when I began buying 95 percent of my books elsewhere; yes, mostly online or in big chains). I'm sorry Bailey-Coy!
28
@27, their press release indicates you'll still be able to redeem a card. But it's unclear if you can still get new "punches" (probably not).
29
Of course you can still use your punch card. Gift certificates too, if you have them. Everything is discounted now by 20%, so that's the price that will go on your card. Thank you to everyone for the kind words. I came to Bailey/Coy in 1989, so I guess I could be stuck in the 80's, but more than likely I'm stuck somewhere in the 90's. The 1890's, perhaps...
32
"They shrunk their magazine rack by about two thirds, and covered an entire wall with greeting cards. (?!)"
@22, Nobody buys magazines anymore, and people buy greeting cards. I don't see how either of those are bad decisions.
@22, Nobody buys magazines anymore, and people buy greeting cards. I don't see how either of those are bad decisions.
34
great, great book store. laid back place, good selection, really nice and helpful staff. i dont make it up to capitol hill much, but bailey coy was mos def a mandatory stop for me. a comic (the boys) and a pizza at pagliacci's.
what am i gonna do with my stamp card? i only had 4 books to go on this one and im broke.
it was a great run guys, you will be missed. thanks for hanging in there, for as long as you did it could not have been easy.
all is lost, for in case you have not noticed, this is not even capitalism any more, its corporatism.
what am i gonna do with my stamp card? i only had 4 books to go on this one and im broke.
it was a great run guys, you will be missed. thanks for hanging in there, for as long as you did it could not have been easy.
all is lost, for in case you have not noticed, this is not even capitalism any more, its corporatism.
36
@8 - I probably did. Seriously, about 90% of the new books I've bought since moving to Seattle in 1991 have come from Bailey/Coy. Every xmas I buy a punchcard's worth of books to send to my family in the East - looks like I'll have to get my xmas shopping done early this year.
I'll miss their staff recommendations, their great window displays, friendly staff and even their awesome Harry Potter opening night parties. le sigh.
I'll miss their staff recommendations, their great window displays, friendly staff and even their awesome Harry Potter opening night parties. le sigh.
37
rat's ass uncle fucking fuck..! i hate this is happening.
i hosted the first reading i ever did there ( along with laurie conner and jourdan keith ..now that i remember it it was a rare independent bookstore that didn't curate and host readings ) and bless michael who said to me ;'i can't wait for you to finish your book . i would be proud to see and sell a book of yours on our shelves instead of that e lynn harris'. it remains as one of the best encouragements and lovelier things anyone ever said to me.
.. even when times weren't hard i never bought a book from amazon or any other online store and i don't like to imagine that i ever will...but i had to curtail new book purchases because of a shrinking wallet . i hate not having money. being broke fucking sucks rat's ass..
i hosted the first reading i ever did there ( along with laurie conner and jourdan keith ..now that i remember it it was a rare independent bookstore that didn't curate and host readings ) and bless michael who said to me ;'i can't wait for you to finish your book . i would be proud to see and sell a book of yours on our shelves instead of that e lynn harris'. it remains as one of the best encouragements and lovelier things anyone ever said to me.
.. even when times weren't hard i never bought a book from amazon or any other online store and i don't like to imagine that i ever will...but i had to curtail new book purchases because of a shrinking wallet . i hate not having money. being broke fucking sucks rat's ass..
38
The sad truth is that public space is changing. When everything is bought online, where do we spend our time? Customers at indi bookstores love the browsing, the carefully selected titles. But many take photos with their iphones, or ask the clerks for pen and paper, so they can record what they want and buy online for a 10-30% discount off list price. However the space to discover those titles, the browsing experience, living and breathing books is no longer supported. That's what is lost with the online discount, a place, a community, an experience, not to mention jobs and a vital commercial district for the community to enjoy.
39
Aw shoot, I didn't even think of the holiday season--I do buy a lot of gifts there. Crap I guess I need to get on that sooner this year.
40
This has to be the end of the end of CH's Belle Époque - an ending that started with the loss of The Pink Zone, Hamburger Mary's, the Broadway Market Cinemas, The Cramp, The Jade Pagoda, and others. If Charlie's closes, they may as well raze Broadway.
Best wishes to all the employees at Bailey/Coy and to the owner.
Best wishes to all the employees at Bailey/Coy and to the owner.
41
I'm typing this with tears in my eyes.
craptity, crap, crap.
but, at least we can look forward to the inevitable $10 a drink martini bar that will probably take over that spot..
and, yes, Amazon DOES charge its Washington State customers sales tax.
craptity, crap, crap.
but, at least we can look forward to the inevitable $10 a drink martini bar that will probably take over that spot..
and, yes, Amazon DOES charge its Washington State customers sales tax.
42
Oh, motherfucker. This is very, very sad news.
I have a lot of memories of the place. Saw Samuel Delaney read there, and got a signed copy of NOVA. Saw Seth and Julie Doucet sign there, and talked to Seth at length (everybody was lining up to talk to Julie) about cartooning, and he cheered me up. I missed when they had Alison Bechdel signing there though.
I always used to steer K. there near my birthday or Christmas and point her toward books I liked, then discreetly leave the store for a few minutes while she bought them ..
If the place closes and then the space sits empty for the next five years, there will be sorrow.
I have a lot of memories of the place. Saw Samuel Delaney read there, and got a signed copy of NOVA. Saw Seth and Julie Doucet sign there, and talked to Seth at length (everybody was lining up to talk to Julie) about cartooning, and he cheered me up. I missed when they had Alison Bechdel signing there though.
I always used to steer K. there near my birthday or Christmas and point her toward books I liked, then discreetly leave the store for a few minutes while she bought them ..
If the place closes and then the space sits empty for the next five years, there will be sorrow.
43
Stupid Library and its stupid free books...
Best wishes to all at Bailey/Coy - may you never set foot in a Barnes & Noble for so long as you live!
PS Don't even bother to apply at Amazon-the only time I ever went there no-one even said "hello" for hours and it's not a very nice place decor wise-I couldn't even find the book area-it reminded me of an old hospital lobby.
Best wishes to all at Bailey/Coy - may you never set foot in a Barnes & Noble for so long as you live!
PS Don't even bother to apply at Amazon-the only time I ever went there no-one even said "hello" for hours and it's not a very nice place decor wise-I couldn't even find the book area-it reminded me of an old hospital lobby.
45
Someone at that store was a World War II history enthusiast and I will miss them (along with my dad who I bought many books for). They had the most interesting selection and one did not have to search for hours to find a really good book. Only the best for their limited shelf space. The main reason why Bailey Coy is/was so much better than Amazon or Borders is you could go in a find somthing really interesting without previous knowledge of it. This announcement is so sad.
46
Oh, I loved that place! Even though I'm usually too poor to buy new books (Thank you, Twice Sold Tales), I used to buy one there anytime I could guess the book from the featured first line.
Maybe I don't want to move back to CH after all...
Maybe I don't want to move back to CH after all...
47
Ouch, I knew this was coming. They cut their stock of books to nothing about six months ago. I have dozens of full punch cards cuz I always felt guilty about redeeming them (same with asking for the discount when I knew the answer to the quiz). For almost 20 years every Christmas and birthday present I have given has been a hardcover book bought at Bailey-Coy (except for some kids books--the selection for tweens runs toward goth, not popular in my family). Thanks so much for your great service.
Well, now I won't feel guilty about passing by my neighborhood book store in favor of Bailey-Coy.
And to those of you who shop on line and in chain stores, well, what the hell did you expect?
(Since the holidays are coming up, do consider giving books--they're art, they don't go out of style, they support writers and bookstores, they don't contribute to the plastic-made-in-China-instantly-obsolete-crap industry, the recipient can use them whenever it's most convenient, or simply pass them along to others, and finally, they can be composted or sold when you're done with them.)
Well, now I won't feel guilty about passing by my neighborhood book store in favor of Bailey-Coy.
And to those of you who shop on line and in chain stores, well, what the hell did you expect?
(Since the holidays are coming up, do consider giving books--they're art, they don't go out of style, they support writers and bookstores, they don't contribute to the plastic-made-in-China-instantly-obsolete-crap industry, the recipient can use them whenever it's most convenient, or simply pass them along to others, and finally, they can be composted or sold when you're done with them.)
48
Uhm, maybe I'd be more sad if I had actually felt like the people who worked there actually wanted me to spend my money there. Every time I walked in, I got major 'tude and lots of eye rolling. Eventually I just stopped going in.
49
I wish I could say I am stunned, but agree with 47. The landscape is changing, not just the Hill, but the path of consumerism.
50
It isn't just book sellers - Seattle is losing many of its independent businesses. It isn't just that people are spending money on-line, it is also because people don't have money to spend. The way to fight back against this kind of crap is to support your local businesses. Buy your books at Bailey Coy, Twice Sold Tales, or Cinema Books. Rent movies at Scarecrow, Rain City, or Broadway Market video instead of Netflix or Blockbuster. Seattle still has some really great independent businesses, but the only way to keep them around is to give them your money!
52
"or Blockbuster"
Errrrrr, 15th st. I can do, but Blockbuster isn't quite what i'd think of for Indie.
"Uhm, maybe I'd be more sad if I had actually felt like the people who worked there actually wanted me to spend my money there. Every time I walked in, I got major 'tude and lots of eye rolling. Eventually I just stopped going in."
I really have no clue what you're talking about. Even if they were busy they weren't the fictional hipstersnotty you seem to be implying.
Errrrrr, 15th st. I can do, but Blockbuster isn't quite what i'd think of for Indie.
"Uhm, maybe I'd be more sad if I had actually felt like the people who worked there actually wanted me to spend my money there. Every time I walked in, I got major 'tude and lots of eye rolling. Eventually I just stopped going in."
I really have no clue what you're talking about. Even if they were busy they weren't the fictional hipstersnotty you seem to be implying.
53
I literally walked passed this place YESTERDAY, and as I passed it I was saying how nothing on Broadway can stay open, except the bookstore. Guess I was wrong...
54
I will miss this store so much! I've been shopping there since the 80s and even after moving from the Hill, made a point of coming back for my books. They always had interesting recommendations, and just a lovely ambiance. More recently, Michael has been very kind to me by carrying the greeting cards I design and giving me invaluable advice. I can only hope that he, and the rest of the BC family, weather this storm and find a new way to profit from their love reading and readers. I will now go and cry.
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