Troubled Sleep — Local services in New York

This place used to be my favorite used bookstore in NYC. I've been a customer for several years since they opened, as has my friend who I last went to Troubled Sleep with. Recently, however, my friend and I had a very unwelcome encounter with a staff person. My friend and I met on a weekday afternoon, and we were the only 2 people in the store minus the staff person, who was a tall man in a black beanie/skullcap style hat. My friend and I entered, and we stood at one shelf, looking at the books but also talking for about five minutes. We were not loud, and we kept our voices at a respectful level.

Suddenly, the man working at the counter stood up and said, "You should probably go to a café. With your talking..." he looked away and would not make eye contact with us, but he said "I can hear it, and..." and he made a motion like waving us off.

We were literally both prepared to buy several books. My friend even said, "I was going to buy something, but okay, we'll leave."

I also cannot help but feel like if we were two men, he would not have said this or treated us this way -- it really felt like he was saying, "I don't want to hear two women talking," without saying it. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but the way he wouldn't even look us in the eye was so condescending and obnoxious. I won't be buying books...

Brimming with interesting discoveries and so many great books filling the shelves, which are well organized and laid out in such a way that it is easy to browse--spacious aisles and packed shelves. They seem especially strong in poetry, fiction (English and foreign language), philosophy, art, New York City and local interest, and that's just what I've found so far. There is a lot of depth to what they have here--children's books, zines, science and nature, at least a little of everything. The store carries mostly used books, but they have new titles too, a kind of hand-picked and cool selection. I think they can probably order new books for you on request, but I haven't asked yet. It's fun to look through the $1 books outside the shop too. There is a really thoughtful and unpretentious feeling to the bookstore, and the bountiful stock is always changing (they will buy books at any hour they are open). Easily one of the best bookstores in NYC, and my...

i have given this place a couple of opportunities to surprise me despite the rumors i’ve heard (check nextdoor)

anyways, i’ve been in three times looking for POC women authors’ works and they have never had any of them. i understand not having niche authors but to not have angela davis when you’re in the specific borough and neighborhood you’re in…bad taste.

also, as someone who has worked in customer service for over a decade and who has worked/started small businesses, i’ve never felt welcome there which is #1 in my book. last time i went in, i asked where angela davis would be — the shopkeeper sat and kept reading instead of getting up and helping their only customer.

all the best, hope they figure their stuff out to make a more inclusive and intersectional place especially considering who...