Book Culture Employee Directory
RetailNew York, United States11-50 Employees
Book Culture is an independent bookstore operator in New York City, with stores in Morningside Heights and on the Upper West Side. It originated in 1997 as Labyrinth Books, founded by Chris Doeblin and Cliff Simms, and became fully independent in 2007 after Doeblin bought out his partners. The company expanded to Book Culture on Broadway in 2009 and opened Book Culture on Columbus in 2014, bringing in new ownership arrangements. The stores function as community spaces that engage with local institutions, including Columbia University, serving as meeting places and sources for books. They have hosted literary events, such as an informal talk and reading with Marilyn Hacker at the 112th Street location in 2018; in 2020 the Columbus Avenue location and offices were closed amid sales challenges and an ownership dispute.