« previous next »
Pages: 1 [2]

Author Topic: The old Hallmark store?  (Read 7302 times)

Offline Ed

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 656
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #15 on: August 29, 2011, 12:43:09 PM »
Sorry, it's more internet and e-books than it is street vendors.
Logged

Offline StevenGrey

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 420
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #16 on: August 29, 2011, 12:56:11 PM »
With the closure of Borders chain it seems as if the brick-and-mortar bookstore is virtually assured of becoming a thing of the past, but I have to say that I now read more than ever since buying my iPad earlier this year. I'm always downloading a new book, and read several magazines, as well as my digital subscription to the NY Times on a daily basis. So the publishing industry isn't necessarily dying, but rather going through a rapid evolution into a digital format. (I will say the one major drawback of this evolution is the inability to lend someone else that copy of the great book you just finished reading.)
Logged

Offline alx86

  • Tourist
  • **
  • Posts: 1
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #17 on: August 29, 2011, 02:07:14 PM »
go can go to the nyc dob website input the  address and it will tell you what project they filed ... at that space.... and it will give you an idea. weather restaurant. commerical space.. etc...
Logged

Offline Ed

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 656
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #18 on: August 29, 2011, 02:15:31 PM »
Quote from: StevenGrey on August 29, 2011, 12:56:11 PM
(I will say the one major drawback of this evolution is the inability to lend someone else that copy of the great book you just finished reading.)
Or reading in the bathtub or at the beach or in the middle of the woods/desert/mountaintop/other location with no electricity to recharge. And somehow I don't think that the phrase "That was a real forward keyer!" will ever gain the same currency as "That was a real page turner"....


What we know of Sumeria, Babylon, Greece, Egypt etc. is based primarily on having extant examples of wide sources of their written word. When all of what we write becomes digital, will we look like a civilization of architectural savants with no language or literature to those who paw through our rubble?
Logged

Offline StevenGrey

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 420
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #19 on: August 29, 2011, 03:54:09 PM »
Actually before there was an alphabet or papyrus on which to write, much of what we know of the ancient civilizations you mentioned is thanks to a rich tradition of oral storytelling. Epic poems were recited and handed down from generation to generation before they were finally transcribed (and later translated) for our benefit. And for centuries, even the written word was pretty much useless to the vast majority of the population that was illiterate. Today's digital files are not quite as "ethereal" as you make them out to be either, but that's a discussion that starts veering too far off topic for this thread.
Logged

Offline FoxyWiles

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 432
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #20 on: August 29, 2011, 04:05:07 PM »
What happened to supporting your local libraries? Your tax dollars are used. Books are free. You can request any book online. Is it too plebeian?
Logged

Offline Ed

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 656
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #21 on: August 29, 2011, 04:26:21 PM »
Quote from: StevenGrey on August 29, 2011, 03:54:09 PM
Actually before there was an alphabet or papyrus on which to write, much of what we know of the ancient civilizations you mentioned is thanks to a rich tradition of oral storytelling. Epic poems were recited and handed down from generation to generation before they were finally transcribed (and later translated) for our benefit. And for centuries, even the written word was pretty much useless to the vast majority of the population that was illiterate. Today's digital files are not quite as "ethereal" as you make them out to be either, but that's a discussion that starts veering too far off topic for this thread.
We know what we know because it got written down. To think that that's ALL there is to know is the height of folly.
Logged

Offline StevenGrey

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 420
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #22 on: August 29, 2011, 05:10:36 PM »
Quote from: FoxyWiles on August 29, 2011, 04:05:07 PM
What happened to supporting your local libraries? Your tax dollars are used. Books are free. You can request any book online. Is it too plebeian?

Nothing's wrong with free, especially when it comes to knowledge or books. I'm just trying to do my part to stimulate our consumption-driven economy!  ;D
Logged

Offline dssjh

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 5314
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #23 on: August 29, 2011, 09:19:21 PM »
i've tried e-books and magazines, and can't make the leap. much like watching movies on my i-phone. it's possible, but not pleasurable. i don't mind using different devices (including my hands) to use different forms of media. old fashioned? perhaps. but if a looooooooong power outage comes down, i have about a dozen books in my queue.
Logged

Offline madalyn

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 1076
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #24 on: August 30, 2011, 12:42:51 PM »
Quote from: alx86 on August 29, 2011, 02:07:14 PM
go can go to the nyc dob website input the  address and it will tell you what project they filed ... at that space.... and it will give you an idea. weather restaurant. commerical space.. etc...


As I said, the owner said it's set to be a clothing store.
Logged

Offline taggie

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 473
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #25 on: August 30, 2011, 03:41:24 PM »
I noticed a number of stores vacant in Woodside and Astoria earlier in the week and judging from the surrounding businesses, I think
these are lower rent areas. Wish we could stimulate the economy more with retail that we really want here in Jackson Heights rather
than carrying bags home on the subways. Well-made products, good value, appealing look to consumers, scarcity in area. Someone
has to have this capacity as an entreprenuer???
Logged

Offline FoxyWiles

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 432
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #26 on: August 31, 2011, 12:01:48 AM »
Quote from: StevenGrey on August 29, 2011, 05:10:36 PM
Nothing's wrong with free, especially when it comes to knowledge or books. I'm just trying to do my part to stimulate our consumption-driven economy!  ;D

What do you put on your shelves?!
Logged

Offline dssjh

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 5314
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #27 on: August 31, 2011, 07:44:00 AM »
Taggie, i love those ideas, and i would love to see them put into practice

but i wonder how practical that is in this sort of economy -- or, frankly, with the regular American mindset, which emphasizes saving 10% over patronizing a neighbor, or even getting a good product. i buy local and mom n pop at every opportunity, and it's nice to see other people feel that way too.
Logged

Offline Beech Court

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 314
    • View Profile
Re: The old Hallmark store?
« Reply #28 on: August 31, 2011, 07:09:43 PM »
Quote from: dssjh on August 31, 2011, 07:44:00 AM
i buy local and mom n pop at every opportunity, and it's nice to see other people feel that way too.

I'll second that, especially having been raised in the back of a mom & pop establishment. And I enjoy the friendly, personalised service it brings!
Logged
I also channel Gladys Gilbert!
Pages: 1 [2]
« previous next »