Spoonbill & Sugartown Books is an American independent bookstore on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1999, it sells new, used, and rare books in a variety of genres with emphasis on art, design, and architecture.
| Spoonbill & Sugartown Books | |
|---|---|
 Inside of the bookstore in 2024 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Address | 218 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211 |
| Coordinates | 40°43′00″N 73°57′33″W / 40.71676°N 73.95923°W |
History
editIn 1999, Spoonbill & Sugartown Books was founded by Miles Bellamy and Jonas Kyle on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. Bellamy and Kyle had met each other working at another bookstore for a few months in the eighties. Originally, the two scouted Tribeca for the bookstore's location but settled in Williamsburg.[1] In 2003, Quentin Rowan joined as an owner.[2]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bookstore elected to stay open, citing it as a crucial decision for the bookstore's survival. The book's staff worked with "reduced hours" and only permitted "six customers at a time." They also ran a fundraiser on GoFundMe to sustain the bookstore's operations, raising over $100,000 by June of 2020.[3][4] In 2021, Bellamy stepped down from co-ownership of the bookstore.[5]
Past events have included "Paul Auster, Leslie Scalapino, Eileen Myles; artists like Vito Acconci, Lisa Yuskavage; critics and curators such as Jed Perl, Bob Nickas," and others.[1]
In the media
editSpoonbill & Sugartown Books has appeared in numerous publications. Co-owners Bellamy and Kyle have been profiled in The New Yorker, The Brooklyn Rail, and other magazines.[6][1] The bookstore's cats, Hayes and Rainer, have also been profiled.[7][8] Racked included it in a list of the 20 best independent bookstores in New York City, as well as an article about where to shop in Williamsburg.[9][10] Condé Nast Traveler has written about the bookstore several times in articles about Williamsburg and the city writ large.[11][12] The bookstore also made an appearance in the show Girls, directed by Lena Dunham.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Miles Bellamy and Jonas Kyle with Phong Bui". The Brooklyn Rail. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Haughney, Christine (November 10, 2009). "10 Years of Selling Books in an Online Age". The New York Times.
- ^ Bonini, Victor (2020-06-11). "Used Book Stores Aren't Picking Up Where They Left Off". Bedford + Bowery. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "Facing Closure After 20 Years, Spoonbill & Sugartown Books Launches Crowdfunding Campaign". Greenpointers. 2020-04-23. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Bellamy, Miles (2021-04-06). "Co-owner Miles Bellamy Leaves Brooklyn's Spoonbill & Sugartown". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Fishman, Howard (2019-10-23). "Should We Pay to Enter Bookstores?". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Cellania, Miss (2011-01-06). "12 Bookstore Cats". Mental Floss. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Parker, Melanie Jane (2011-03-09). "Ten Best Independent Bookstores of NYC". Gothamist. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Gurfein, Laura (2015-03-17). "New York City's 20 Best Independently Owned Bookstores, Mapped". Racked NY. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Hargrove, Channing (2016-05-03). "The Best Stores in Williamsburg". Racked NY. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Erdekian, Alex (2021-01-07). "A Guide to Williamsburg, Brooklyn". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Liebling-Goldberg, Melissa (2018-03-01). "The 42 Best Things to Do in New York City". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Carlson, Jen; Jan 14 (2013-01-14). "GIRLS Goes To Bedford Avenue's Coolest, Indie-est Bookstore". Gothamist. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
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