This article was originally published on Crafting Your Home. A human contributor also wrote and edited the post.
For almost 100 years, one independent bookstore in New York City has continued selling books through generations of changing tastes, technologies, and retail trends.
The Strand Book Store, a landmark independent bookseller in Manhattan, was founded in 1927 by Benjamin Bass. The business began on Fourth Avenue, an area once known for its concentration of bookstores, or “Book Row.”
Today, the Strand remains at 828 Broadway, near East 12th Street, and continues to operate as a family-owned independent bookstore.
From Book Row to a New York landmark
When Benjamin Bass opened the Strand in 1927, Fourth Avenue was home to many booksellers. The district became known as Book Row and developed a reputation as a destination for people looking for new, used, and rare books.
The Strand eventually became the last remaining bookstore from that historic stretch of booksellers. Its survival has made the business part of New York’s bookselling history.
According to Publishers Weekly, Bass started the business with $600, combining $300 of his own money with $300 borrowed from a friend.
The store was named after London’s Strand, a street historically associated with books, publishing and literary life.
The family business passed to a new generation.
Benjamin Bass’s son, Fred Bass, became involved with the bookstore while he was still young. After serving in the military, he returned to the family business and eventually took over its operation.
In 1957, the Strand moved from Fourth Avenue to its current Broadway location after the family lost its lease.
Fred Bass later brought his daughter, Nancy Bass Wyden, into the business. She eventually became the store’s owner.
The succession from father to son and then to daughter helped keep the bookstore under family ownership while the surrounding retail environment changed considerably.
How the Strand adapted to changing times
The bookstore’s longevity has not meant that its business model remained unchanged.
Over the years, the Strand expanded its operations beyond traditional book retailing. Its activities have included online sales, literary events, and its “Books by the Foot” service, which provides customized book collections for homes, offices, and other spaces.
The store has also had to adapt to the growth of online shopping and changes in the publishing industry.
A New Yorker profile examining the bookstore’s modernization documented efforts to update the business while maintaining its distinctive identity as an independent bookstore.
Nearly 100 years of books
The Strand now describes itself as an independent bookstore specializing in new, used, and rare books.
Its flagship location is widely associatedwith the store’s “18 Miles of Books” slogan, reflecting the scale of its inventory.
The business has also expanded beyond its original flagship, operating additional locations and maintaining an online presence.
Its history shows how an independent retailer can evolve while staying connected to its origins.
The anniversary comes just before its centennial.
The Strand’s 99th anniversary is being marked with Strand Day on September 19, 2026.
According to the published event information, the celebration will include activities for adults and children, including storytimes and other programming. The store has also announced a 20% anniversary discount for the occasion.
The timing adds significance: the bookstore is now only one year away from its 100th anniversary.
A business that became part of New York history
The Strand’s story goes beyond selling books.
The business began during the era of Book Row, survived the disappearance of that bookselling district, moved to a new location in the 1950s, and passed through multiple generations of the same family.
Its continued operation also comes as independent bookstores have had to adjust to online competition and changing consumer habits.
For the Strand, the 99th anniversary is another milestone in a history that began in 1927 and a step toward a century in business.
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