If J. Levine Books & Judaica cannot survive the retail revolution, what can?
The Manhattan shop, founded in 1890 in Vilkomir, Lithuania, moved to New York City in 1905. The store sold more than books, though books are a lot more than just chopped liver.
Like similar stores wherever Jews have lived in the US, Levine sold Passover plates, Challah plates, tchotchkes from Israel, talit shawls to wear during prayer and, kippah to wear on your head all the time.
After four generations, Levine is closing its doors, leaving Manhattan with just tow Jewish book stores …and Amazon.
Can Amazon provide virtual access to gold-lettered prayer books, huggable stuffed blue Torahs, kosher hair conditioner, Israeli serving plates with pictures of Jerusalem, or star wars themed mezuzas to mount on your door?
Daniel Levine
But there was more, Israeli serving plates with pictures of Jerusalem, star wars themes mezuzas to mount on your door and hannukah bears.
Curren Levine scion, Daniel Levine says “The next generation doesn’t shop in stores. That’s the nature of the world.”
Two Jewish stores Manhattan stores remain, West Side Judaica and Judaica Classics but Amazon has announced that it will now offer same day delivery, even on Shabbat! Historian Jonathan Sarna told The Jewish Week, “It’s cheaper and easier to shop at Amazon.”