I had never heard of retailer Brooklyn Industries until I saw their store in the West Village a few months ago. And the reason I noticed wasn't because of the fashions, but because of what that location USED to be.
The building at the southeast corner of Christopher and Hudson Streets in Manhattan housed the "Christopher Street Bookstore" from 1972 up until 2006. Christopher Street Books didn't sell many "books" (unless you count "Honcho" and "Black Inches"), but the upstairs store sold everything from movies to leather to "toys". Here is a hysterically cheerful and low-budget commercial which ran on local cable access in the early 90's...
Sounds better than Barnes & Noble! In addition to selling "stuff" on the 2nd floor, the location also featured a video booth arcade behind the front counter, and a "theater" in the basement. Or so I've been told [[insert side-eye here]]. For an amusing recollection of what a "normal" night at the Bookstore was like, read THIS.
So, you can imagine my surprise that a relatively hip and upscale retailer like Brooklyn Industries decided to use that particular space. I wonder how many yuppie mothers have dragged their baby strollers in to peruse floral print dresses ($128) and got a hotsweatygaysexy vibe once inside?
If they ONLY KNEW...
