Mercer Street Books has been in business for 25 years! It's a mostly used and rare bookstore though they do carry some new books as well. They carry books in just about every genre and apparently all the clerks are writers as well. So they know something about books! They buy and sell and they carry vinyl records as well. 

So it's a bit of chaotic mess. But most of the books are in sections that make sense. I have found books there they I don't see in other bookstores and their collection is impressive. They are located next to the NYU campus and just next to Soho. They are in an area that is going through much gentrification. I do hope that they will be there for another 25 years!

Mercer Street Books, 206 Mercer Street

Good News! Academy is open and they have installed a filtration system. Of course, there’s limited capacity. But it’s worth the wait if there’s a line. Masks are required. Updated 8 February 2021

Has vinyl ever gone out of style? It seems that it’s back in again in a big way. Academy Records & CDs is not new to the scene though. They’ve been in business since 1977. No matter what style of music you’re interested in, Academy has a selection that’s certain to please serious music lovers.

They also have a large selection of CDs and DVDs and they buy records, CDs and DVDs on a daily basis so their stock is constantly changing. Academy is open 7 days a week and they do have a website.

Academy Records & CDs - 12 West 18th Street between Fifth & Sixth Avenues