There was a time that American bookstores were community centers where people turned to for information, for interaction, for intellectual stimulation. But for Best Bargain Books, that time has passed, and owners Russ and Cheryl Ruvinsky have announced the closing of their two stores, located in Port Jefferson and East Patchogue.
"The economy is the primary reason," Russ Ruvinsky said in an interview Tuesday. "The electronic media, the e-readers -- we're a victim of the electronic age."
Best Bargain Books has been around for about ten years. Their Centereach location closed in 2010, and they expect to close their doors for good in Port Jefferson and East Patchogue at the end of August.
They are not the only brick-and-mortar bookstores to close down in recent memory. Borders finished closing all its locations in 2011, and Barnes & Noble has announced the closing of some stores, according to USA Today. Indie bookstores have been closing left and right, Russ Ruvinsky said.
One of his managers, Etienne Melton, called indie bookstores "the dinosaurs of retail" and said it's scary and dismaying.
"There was always an American bookstore where people could gather to find what they need...But that form is disappearing," Melton said. "It seems that American society, our culture in general, is swaying away from actual intellectuism and is going towards the lines of instant gratification. That's just a trend. I think in general, people are not reading."
Both locations are holding clearance sales to try and move the merchandise they currently have in stock.
"We're very sorry that we're closing our doors," Russ Ruvinsky said. "Thank you for allowing us to be part of your community for so long. It's been as wonderful for us as it has been for you, and as we are closing we appreciate you coming in and buying as much as you can so we can liquidate in a dignified way."
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