Greenlight Bookstore Turns One!

It seems like Greenlight Bookstore has been around for so much longer than it has, since it has quickly become a neighborhood institution known for great service, selection and ambiance.  But in fact, it is just about to turn one year old! Join the staff and supporters for a fun-filled evening:

Greenlight Bookstore To Celebrate One Year in Business

With Champagne Toasts at Anniversary Party on October 16

Greenlight Bookstore will celebrate the conclusion of one full year in business with a day of festivities on Saturday, October 16, 2010.  Two events, at 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM, will feature authors, refreshments, and special offers and announcements to help to mark this special day in the Fort Greene bookstore’s life.

On October 16, 2009, a Fort Greene neighbor – with exact change in cash – bought the first book from Greenlight Bookstore, and the store was officially in business.  The store’s launch party the following week hosted more than 300 excited fans for champagne toasts by Borough President Marty Markowitz, City Councilwoman Letitia James, local author Toure, and bookstore owners Jessica Stockton Bagnulo and Rebecca Fitting.

The opening was a fulfillment of the dreams of Bagnulo and Fitting, and of the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, as evidenced by a 2008 survey of residents that named "bookstore" as the number one retail need in the neighborhood.  The community has actively supported the bookstore during its first year through book purchases, word of mouth, event attendance, and praise for the store’s selection and staff.

An August 2010 New York Magazine article documented the rise of new independent bookstores in New York City, including Greenlight; the store opened its books to the magazine for the article, revealing better than expected sales figures. The store’s sales during 2010 are projected to exceed $1 million.

Greenlight will host a First Birthday Party for kids and families at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 16.  Balloons and cake will be provided for kids, and many of the local children’s authors who have read at Story Time will be present for activities and celebration, including Elisha Cooper, Gilbert Ford, Maya Gottfried, George O'Connor, and others.

At 7:30 PM on Saturday, October 16, the store will host a One Year Anniversary Party for adults, with champagne and refreshments provided.  Bookstore staff and friends will read toasts written for the occasion by luminary authors who have appeared at the store during the past year, including Jennifer Egan, Nelson George, Jhumpa Lahiri, David Mitchell, Rick Moody, and Gary Shteyngart.  Neighborhood residents, including Paul Holdengraber of the New York Public Library and Johnny Temple of Akashic Books, will be present to offer their toasts as well.

Greenlight Bookstore will also use this celebration as an opportunity to unveil several new offerings, programs and services to be launched in the store's second year.  Partygoers are encouraged to RSVP on Greenlight’s Facebook page (which also contains updated information on featured authors), but all events are first come, first served.