St. Mark's Bookshop Needs A Break on the Rent; Fred Flare Sale

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EAST VILLAGE—The co-owners of the beloved St. Mark's Bookshop are asking their landlord, Cooper Union, for a bit of a break on the rent, which right now, costs them $20,000 a month. And they might get it. The Local says, "The Economic Development Committee voted unanimously 9-0 to endorse the owners’ efforts to have it reduced, saying the 33-year-old shop constituted a 'special case' because of its value to the neighborhood." [The Local/NYT]

GREENPOINT—On Saturday, Fred Flare will be hosting its annual, one-day only crazy sale at their warehouse at 300 Kingsland Avenue. This would be a good time to shop, since the brand currently doesn't have a store, though online orders can conveniently be picked up at the warehouse. The sale begins at 11am and runs through 5pm, and we hear that the following will be free: sno-cones, cotton candy, and pizza from Vinnie's Pizzeria. [Refinery29]