Strand Book Store - NYC No.1 Book Shop

In 1927, on Fourth Avenue, in the heart of what was then known as "Book Row," The Strand was born. This bustling literary hub spanned six city blocks and hosted a thriving community of forty-eight bookstores. The visionary behind The Strand was Ben Bass, a twenty-five-year-old entrepreneur and avid reader, who started his humble used bookstore with $300 of his own money and a $300 loan from a friend. Ben's vision was simple yet profound: to create a space where books were cherished, and book enthusiasts could gather. Drawing inspiration from London's literary history, he named his bookstore after the vibrant street that once hosted literary luminaries like Thackeray, Dickens, and Mill, as well as thriving book publishers.

The Strand swiftly became an iconic institution in Greenwich Village, a place where writers convened to engage in conversation, sell their works, and discover hidden literary treasures. Today, The Strand stands as the lone survivor of Book Row's rich and colorful past.

Ben's son, Fred, started learning the family trade at the tender age of 13. Sharing his father's passion for books, Fred immersed himself in the book trade. After serving in the Armed Forces, he returned to New York and worked closely with his father. In 1957, Fred relocated the store just around the corner to its current location at 12th Street and Broadway. Fred dedicated much of his time to the buying desk, building relationships with regular customers, and hunting for the next extraordinary find.

Main Location

828 Broadway at 12th Street
New York, NY 10003

The Strand at Columbus Avenue

450 Columbus Avenue

(between 81st and 82nd street)

New York, NY 10024e Strand Central Park Kiosk

60th Street and 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10065

The Strand at The Bowery Bay Shops

LaGuardia Airport, Terminal B
Queens, NY