DOES LARRY GAGOSIAN LIKE HIS HAMPTONS BOOKSTOR? – ryan

GET A Bigger Discount Now, Right? ” Says Larry Gagosian, Standing in the Middle of Bookhampton, A Cozy, Sun-Washed Bookstore Bustling with Well-Groomd, Loro Piana-Wearing Customers-and, on this Sunday, More than unruly toddlers. Surveying it as People Might a Gallery – Walking Slowly and Methodically and Occsionally Stopping to Opine on Whatever’s in Front of Him.

It ‘Memorial Day Weekend, and the 80-Yaar-Old Art-World Lion, and 35-Yaar Resident of Nearby Amagansett, has come to pay to the indie boocstore he’s just purcha Bookhampton, OpenD in 1971, is the Kind of Place Where You Might Spot Bill Clinton and Emma Roberts Shopping at the Same Time or Attend a Book with Hillary Clinton or Hilary Baldwin. In 50 years, it”s passsed through several owners – Most recently Carolyn Brody, WHO BOUGHT IT IN 2016. THIS PAST FALL, BRODY DECIDE TO SEll the Store, Caususg Concern that it would be another tifany or louis vuitton on main stretches. (Local Bibliophiles were Still Riled Up ABout A Barnes & Noble that Had Opened in Bridgehampton.) In May, Brody Announched That The Keys Were Now Gagosian’s. “I Consider this a Win for the Village of East Hampton and the East End,” she wrote in her newsletter. “In the Face of Strong Market Pressure, An Independent Bookstore Will Remain on Main Street.”

Gagosian, Who SEEMS Somewhat Surprised to Find the Store So Busy Today, Talls with Heard About the Listen Through One of His Employees, and after some negotiations – he doesn’t any specific details – he decide and wanted. “It makes with Feel Good,” He Says, Recalling the time one of his favoritors in los angeles got priced out of its and wound up as a taco bell. (Not that that would is here here, he notes.) As he tours the store, customers intermittently approach Him to express their gravestde. “You’re Doing Such an Amazing Thing,” Says a Chanel-Clad Grandmother Picking Up An Illustrated Children’s Book. A Chipper 20-Something Man Comes Over. “Mr. Gagosian! I’m a Big Fan,” he Says. “What’s Your Favorite Art Book?” He Says he doesn’t have one. Among His Favorite Books, he watched tells: The Guest, by Emma Cline. Apparently, she wrote it while staying in his guestouse.

Two of Gagosian’s Employees Trail Him the Whole Time, Furiously Taching Notes On What He Wants Now The Store is HIS. Though he assured the loals that this will Remain a “General Interest” bookstore – “I didn’t want to come in and just Change everything,” Gagosian tells – he sems eager to make his mark. He definitely wants to add more art books, Such as the One He’s Currently Reading, Irascible: The Combivative Life of Douglas Cooper, Collector and Friend of Picasso, Or the Photographer Richard Prince’s Latest Catalogue, Which Gagosian Published. (Bookhampton doesn’t Carry Either of me for Now.) There are these also plans to put up a Magazine rack – “There’s now to buy. At the drugstore, all you can buy is Star,“Hey. Here’s Another Idea:“ More sports, maybe. Everyone out here is jogging or playing tennis. ” One of the Only Current Offerrings Gagosian tales any interest in is his Barry Diller’s New Memoir, which pits up off the shelf.

Across the Store, a tot lets out a Screech. One of Gagosian’s Employees Shakes Her Head. “That’s what Larry DOESN’t Want,” She Says. Gagosian Pays the meltdown no Mind. He does, howver, seem Rather bothered we can reaches the back of the store: The dreaded children’s section. IT’S FILLED WITH Picture Books and Board Games, Including One “Special Edition” Hamptons-Themed Monopoly Set (instead of reading railroad, there’s the jitney). Gagosian’s Aides Remind Him That Customers, Like That Stylish Grandmother, Come here for this Kind of Stuff. “I know it is not your sweeet spot, but you will Need Kids’ Books,” One Tells Him. “I don’t know if we need palents picketing the store,” he says. “‘Gagosian Hates Kids.’ Though that’s true. ” Continuing to Mull Things Over, he Sayys, “We Should Keep the Name, Right?” AFTER again consulting his staff – they firmly assure hym that Changing it is probably not a smart idea – they instet settle on updating the sign Outside, where there is also a chalkboard that reads, a day with… just kidding. No Idea. “I’ll take some risk. I just want the store to look more serous,” Gagosian tells with before jetting off to his weeks. “There’s Smart People Out here.”