Coliseum Books
Coliseum Books (1974-2007) was an independent bookstore that opened in 1974 on the northwest corner of 57th Street and Broadway, near Columbus Circle in the Manhattan borough of New York City. After initially closing its doors in 2002-after a series of financial difficulties and in part due to the increased real estate prices in that part of Manhattan-it relocated to its final location on 11 West 42nd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue, near Bryant Park.
In early October 2006 Coliseum's founder-and one of its co-owners-George Leibson announced that by the end of the year Coliseum Books would once again close, most likely permanently. Among the reasons cited for the possible failure of the newest incarnation of Coliseum were an inability to connect with potential book-buyers in its new market, high real estate prices and the decline of independent booksellers within New York City.
Coliseum Books' final day of business was Saturday, January 6, 2007.