Kinokuniya to Open New Bookstore in New York

PW reports that Kinokuniya, the largest bookstore chain in Japan, is opening a 24,000 square foot store in NYC this fall. 24,000 square feet!

They already have a store in Rockefeller Center that is a measly 13,000 square feet, which, despite the fact that I used to walk by it every day on my way to work for 5 years, I went in only once. I think to look at their Go boards. Yes, I’m that kind of nerd.

Kinokuniya’s philosophy is that bookstores should function as centers for the promotion of culture and the arts, and not merely as outlets for selling books. “The new store will focus on Japanese arts and culture; Anime; fashion and cooking,” said spokesperson Brent O’Connor.