We should know by now that nothing gold can stay. Especially in New York. 

But here's the thing: how have New Yorkers not gotten over losing beloved establishments yet? Don't think we don't feel you. We definitely feel you.

That wasn't even a nice place. But we were still one, surprised when it closed and two, deeply sad. So last June, when we read that Three Lives & Co. Bookstore wasn't renewing its yearly lease on Jeremiah's Vanishing New York, our hearts plummeted our my chests.

And when we saw that the building had been sold to a luxury real estate company, we were sad all over again. Why weren't we more prepared? 

Sure, we were kinda comforted that Three Lives was continuing a month-to-month lease. Kinda. But now, even though nothing is final, it's hard to ignore the warning signs that the beloved bookstore is going the way of Carnegie Deli.

As reported by Curbed NY, the building, at 154 West 10th Street at Waverly Place, was sold to a company (Oliver's Realty Group) headed by a guy (David J. Wine) who was involved in other high-end projects like The Caledonia and Tribeca Park.

And also, the property went for $4 million over the $10 million asking price.

So basically, there's not much anyone, even customers, could have done. In an e-mail from June, to Three Lives' customers, owner Toby Cox noted that this actually has nothing to do with what we usually think when independent bookstores close. 

"This is not about a small, independent bookshop being battered by chain retailers, or online retail conglomerates, or new electronic devices on which to read a book. Three Lives & Company is a thriving enterprise."

[anad]

He also points out, "We have had record years the last three years as the independent bookstore market in general has found its footing despite many challenges."

So if if we can't blame Barnes & Nobles and their DVD section that expands every time someone walks by, what are we supposed to do?

It's really depressing that we can't just be like hey, start start supporting independent bookstores because then, they'll stop leaving us. 

sleepyvoids

Transplants who've only lived here a year will grumble loudly about the cafe that closed on their block six months ago. And don't you dare start a conversation about anywhere below 14th Street with anyone around in the '90s (including, actually especially, twenty-somethings) unless you have 2 hours.

New York City is not the best place for the nostalgic but New Yorkers are nothing if not the most nostalgic people on the planet. We're a proud but sad member of that population.