BookCourt, a Cobble Hill Institution, Will Close by Year's End

COBBLE HILL, BROOKLYN — Cobble Hill bookstore BookCourt, a fixture in the neighborhood since 1981, will be closing at the end of this month, as reported by Gothamist.

In a statement published by the news site, owners Henry M. Zook and Mary B. Gannett thanked their neighbors for their patronage over the years, writing that, "We could not have survived the challenges of rent increases, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon otherwise, and we are thankful that we were able to provide this community with an independent bookstore for many years."

"We realize that BookCourt’s closing leaves a void in the neighborhood and the industry," the owners wrote. "We especially want to tell the neighborhood children that we will miss you. Your enthusiasm has been a big part of what made our jobs and the store so wonderful. Seeing you curled up on the bench, the couch, or on the floor reading, brought joy to all of us every day."

In their statement, Zook and Gannett seemed to suggest that they're not being pushed out, as they own BookCourt's building, but rather stepping down from the daily grind of running the business.

"BookCourt has truly been a family business," the wrote. "Our accomplishments were supported by our parents (especially in the early years) and our children. Our son Zachary was BookCourt’s events manager and general manager through the crucial 2008 expansion, and in many ways he is responsible for solidifying our reputation and making the store what it is today. He dedicated his twenties to the store. As he moved on to other pursuits in 2014, we are now doing the same."

Pictured at top: Book Court. Image via Google Maps.