Bluestockings Cooperative in New York City, which launched a GoFundMe campaign earlier this summer to help it recover from financial difficulties, will be closing as a business at the end of 2025.
"The current, former worker-owners, and staff part of the sunsetting crew are gutted to be delivering this news," a statement on the bookstore's website noted. "After 26+ years of serving marginalized communities as an independent feminist bookstore, event hub, and all-around radical community space, the daily operations are unfortunately no longer sustainable on multiple fronts. Your support and contributions have sustained the spirit of this radical bookstore for years. We cannot thank you enough for everything you've done for us, and this beautiful, messy, space!"
Noting that the closure was "our absolute last resort," Bluestockings cited the "ongoing struggle against the organized abandonment of New York City and constant crises" as key factors in the decision, adding that "it's time to sunset, transition on our terms, and envision new chapters."
While Bluestockings' storefront is now closed for business, the staff plans to continue to fulfill any book orders through the end of 2025, and will also aim to send out any outstanding membership perks within this time. Memberships will officially cease on December 15, and no further events will be held.
"This decision comes after the shared failures of multiple cohorts to come to consensus around the guiding principles and practices Bluestockings should embody to move forward as a worker-owned cooperative that serves as a radical bookstore, cafe, and community event space," the statement noted. "We've made a lot of mistakes, but the lack of political and business-operations alignment on upholding the responsibilities of our space has directly led to many of the setbacks we've faced the last two years."
"The bookstore has been fighting a losing battle against debt for over two years now. Unfortunately, we frankly hit the wall," co-owner Raquel Espasande told Gothamist, which reported that the closure comes after years of financial strain and mounting public controversy.