To many New Yorkers, St. Mark's Place is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in New York City.

While it may seem like there are always a bunch of tourists on those couple of sacred blocks in the East Village, that's really nothing compared to say, Times Square or the Empire State Building.

Since long before Chipotle arrived on the block, people have been concerned about rising rents on St. Mark's. 

Now it's costing St. Mark's Bookshop $150k.

The Bookshop was forced to move last year, from Third Avenue to 136 East Third Street. However, they were not financially prepared, or "undercapitalized," (meaning that the move put them in the red pretty deep).

So deep, in fact, that they've yet to recover. 

In order to restock the shelves, the book store needs $150,000, and is seeking to raise the capital with a GoFundMe campaign.

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The crowd funding effort has attracted 134 donors in two days, raising $7,320 at the time of writing this article. 

St. Mark's Bookshop is a good example of the types of small businesses that New Yorkers generally want to be saved. 

Instead of huge retail chain like Barnes & Noble, or the extinct Borders Booksellers, St. Mark's Bookshop is a local operation that fosters the creative community around it.

Thirty-eight years young, the Bookshop's open consignment policy has helped emerging writers showcase their self published work for years. 

It's been called "arguably the best bookstore in NYC" by New York Magazine and even features award-winning interior design. 

If you've never been, check it out. Buy a book, and read it. If you're familiar with the shop, then click over to their GoFundMe and drop some cash in their coffers-- you'll get lifelong discounts, and those are well-worth it. 

Check out 5 Reasons Bronx Gentrification Is a Real Thing in NYC. 

[via DNA Info] [Feature Image Courtesy Book Patrol]