Book Revue faces possible shutdown

Economic hard times and a rent dispute with its landlord could force a shutdown of Book Revue, an independent Huntington Village bookstore that over the past three decades has given a literary flair to the business district, a store co-owner said.

"We want to stay in Huntington Village. This has been home to the store for 34 years, but if we have no choice, we have no choice," Richard Klein, who owns the store with his brother Robert, said Tuesday.

A sign saying "Space Available" is in the store's front window at 313 New York Ave., and many customers have asked about it, he said.

Klein said the store, which has 27 years left on its lease, had made a deal with its previous owner to pay a reduced amount of about 75 percent of the stipulated rent. But the new owner requires the store to pay full rent, Klein said. The owner did not return a call seeking comment yesterday.

Klein declined to state the store's revenue or its lease payments.

Bookstores across the country, from small independents to mega-chains like Borders, are closing some locations due to the advent of e-books and online sales through Amazon and eBay.

In that climate, Klein said, paying full rent could push the store toward moving or closing.

"This may very well force us out of Huntington. We hope that doesn't happen," Klein said.

The store is known for bringing high-profile literary and celebrity authors to town for readings and book signings. The store's list of visitors includes such names as Madeleine L'Engle, Lauren Bacall, Ray Bradbury, Jon Stewart, William Shatner and J.K. Rowling.