FORT GREENE (PIX11) – Greenlight Bookstore is New York's most beloved small business, with devoted fans near and far, according to a new poll.
A poll by financial services company Advance Funds Network asked 3,014 people across the country what small businesses they’d be willing to travel over an hour for.
Fort Greene’s Greenlight Bookstore took the top spot in New York, followed by a Syracuse print shop and supply store, Boxstar Press.
New York was one of two states to pick a bookstore above all other businesses – in Utah, shoppers showed the most love for a Salt Lake City bookstore.
“Our survey is a testament to the deep emotional connections people form with their favorite small businesses,” said Irving Betesh, CRO of Advance Funds Network. “These aren’t just places to shop or eat - they’re part of people’s stories.”
Greenlight Bookstore opened on Fulton Street in 2009 and has since become a Brooklyn favorite amassing nearly 37,000 followers on Instagram. Its Prospect Heights location closed in 2023 because operating costs had gotten too expensive.
It’s an independent bookstore that hosts events like readings, book release parties, kids’ story time and book clubs ranging from fantasy to young adult.
“Through knowledgeable staff, curated book selection, community partnerships, and a robust e-commerce website, Greenlight combines the best traditions of the neighborhood bookstore with a forward-looking sensibility,” representatives of the store said on its website.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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