Adam Frank reported on Pentrace this weekend about the sudden closing of the venerable (next year would have been their 90th year) Manhattan pen shop, Art Brown -- a family business.
All reports indicate that this was due to an increase in rent that could no longer be sustained (some report an increase to $50,000 per month!).
What a sad event.
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So sad. Marilyn Brown sold me my 149 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Norman!
Any number of local, independent merchants have been hit by similar outlandish increases in rent here in Kansas City in recent years. And as with Art Brown, it's resulted in some of them going out of business.
ReplyDeleteNever fear, though -- the nationwide chain stores are always ready to fill the gaps! Oh, boy.
Sad indeed.
This is really too sad. I liked going in there to chat with Marilyn: her stories about living abroad were great.
ReplyDeleteOh, I will so miss your store. It was a highlight of my trips into the city. You will be so missed!
ReplyDeleteI was in Fountainpen Hospital last weekend and Marilyn Brown is working there now. She told me the story of how the rent was unsustainable and they had to shut down. At least she landed on her feet and FPH has taken her in.
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