Greenwich Village Book Vendors Suffer Unlikely Competition

When exiting the subway at the West 4th Street stop in Greenwich Village people are immediately struck by rows and rows of used books, spread across four tables. These tables, operated by two friendly competitors, have been perused by residents, commuters and tourists for decades. Thanks to increased competition from portable electronics and a tightening economy, though, business lately has taken a turn for the worst.

“Two dollars, two dollars,” proclaims the first proprietor, who calls himself Ron John, trying to tempt a young, well dressed couple thumbing through the books on his table. He explains that although his sales are still good, he has seen a steady decline over this year’s spring and summer seasons. He believes that people will always need something to read, but he’s noticed that less people are stopping to check his selections. And because he’s been in the same location for nearly 20 years, he has experience from which to judge.

His affable rival is located just five yards down the block. Supreme, as he calls himself, is frank when he assesses the falloff in sales that he’s recently experienced. Sure economic downturn plays a part, but changes in the neighborhood are also to blame.

“The yuppies just don’t want used books,” he says. “They’re only looking to buy something that’s brand new.”

He may have a point. Greenwich Village was once famously home to a bohemian community of artists, musicians and students who sought the neighborhood out as much for the funky attitude as for the cheap rent. But this hip enclave was soon discovered by the real estate developers and the upwardly mobile. Today the Village has retained much of the gritty feel that made it a favorite of creative types without much to spend, but those cheap rents have long since dried up.

Both men also mention the rise of an unlikely competitor: the laptop computer. Not long ago commuters headed for the subway were among the best customers at the tables. Now, says Supreme, his dog-eared selections are no match for the contents of a Macbook.

All of this has meant a slow decline in the sales from the tables. Because both men are homeless and supported solely by what they are able to make selling remaindered reading materials, they’re feeling a pronounced pinch.

Neither man intends to give up selling books. When asked if this decline in business might force him to consider a new line of work after the 30 years that he’s been on the same spot, Supreme laughs. “Readers are going to read man. That’s never going away.”