David Barton vs Barnes & Noble

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The New York Post takes a look at the phenomenon of gyms masquerading as night clubs, using the new David Barton Gym at Astor Place as a hook. In the process, they raise an intriguing point: "Locals who complained about the closing of the enormous Barnes & Noble formerly occupying this space might note: While a bookstore is very East Village in theory, a 700-plus-store national chain that displaces ma and pa bookstores is not." Instead of mourning the loss of B&N, should we just be glad that St. Mark's Bookshop outlived the competition? [NYP via EV Grieve]

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