Cooper Union agreed to reduce the St. Mark’s Bookshop’s rent by $2,500 a month for the next year and send students to help St. Mark’s create a more sustainable business plan.
To celebrate the fact that the book store is still in business and the store’s 34th anniversary, St. Mark’s is hosting a party. The party will be held at the store at 31 3rd Ave. from 5:30-7:30 on December 1st.
Earlier this year St. Mark’s mobilized 40,000 supporters to sign a petition asking for “a significant rent concession” from the bookseller’s landlord. The store sent out an email to thank these supporters and invite them to the party. It reads: “Together we have scored a victory for the St. Mark’s Bookshop and the Lower East Side! Cooper Union has agreed to a new one-year lease to reduce their monthly rent to $17,500. The bookshop has a $2,500/month rent reduction and Cooper Union will forgive back rent owed. This is a $37,500 win for the bookstore. We won through a lot of organizing — including your signature among the 44,128 on our online petition. Thank you!”