Word Up Bookstore receives termination notice | Manhattan Times

Posted on July 5, 2012

By Sherry Mazzocchi

The crowd at Word Up Bookstore during their birthday fundraiser in June. Photo Credit: Issacc Garcia

Word Up is still accepting donations–but isn’t clear where they will go.

The popular Washington Heights community bookstore received notice Tues., July 3rd that their lease would terminate in thirty days, and that they would need to move.

Veronica Liu, one of the store’s unpaid volunteers, had been expecting the news, but that didn’t make it any easier. That evening she sat in the back of the store with a dedicated staff of unpaid volunteers, discussing options.

Some of the more creative ideas included a bookmobile, finding event space in local restaurants, bars or churches. More than anything, they want to stay in the Heights.

“There’s enough writers and artists in the neighborhood to accommodate a space like this,” said Liu.

The store, located at Broadway and 175th St., quickly became a favorite neighborhood destination.

Since its inception, Word Up has evolved into than just a bookstore. It’s become a meeting place, art gallery, theatre space, concert hall and language salon.