Pickles & books? One LES business is changing the local landscape with an unlikely combo

Many brick and mortar businesses are shuttering, yet one new store focused old books and new pickles is adding life and character to New York's Lower East Side.

Combining old books with new pickles? It's just the crunchy dash of savory flavor New Yorkers need in an era that's mostly doom and gloom, and breathing new life into a harrowed corner of downtown's Lower East Side.

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow

"I was infuriated by liquor stores being deemed essential businesses during the pandemic, but bookstores were forced to close," says Leigh Altshuler, the owner of Sweet Pickle Books, a recently-opened retail store devoted to exactly what it sounds like -- good books and great pickles. "Booze but no books? It made no sense. So many people told me I was crazy to open a bookstore, or any retail store, during the pandemic. My question was when will it not be crazy to open a book and pickle store?"

Sweet Pickle Books

Altshuler took her years of experience as the former communications director of The Strand, perhaps New York's most famous book store, and threw her knowledge into creating a safe-haven for readers and mental escape artists into an exciting collection of vintage reads, post cards, and other take-me-back-to-better-times gems. Sandwiched between all the great reads for people of all ages and types, you'll find large jars of pickles -- an homage to Altshuler's Jewish heritage, the Lower East Side's musky natural pickle-borne scent, and a fun departure from whatever the hell other stores are doing. It makes little logical sense, but it certainly doesn't lack flavor or kitsch appeal.

"It had always been my dream to open a bookstore, but felt more like something that could only happen for me later on in my life, if at all. I went on long walks around the Lower East Side where I live, and saw empty storefront after empty storefront," she says of the time leading up to Sweet Pickle Books becoming a reality. "A favorite restaurant, the local tailor, florist, psychic -- all out of business. I knew the neighborhood needed something to reignite its sense of community. So, I decided to solve the problem and open my store."

Sweet Pickle Books

The entire retail collection also has a decidedly modern spin on an old Earth-friendly problem -- waste. "Everything we stock is second hand," Altshuler says of the books, but definitely not the pickles. "Fiction, psychology, art, dance, dictionaries -- you name it, I have it," detailing how easily five bucks and a desire to learn new things can take the average shopper. "Five bucks can take you far here. Five books from the dollar bin, five vintage postcards, a locally-designed greeting card, two mass-market paperbacks, or so many more options. The store is dedicated to accessibility in literature, and I believe it should be affordable."

If you're feeling really adventurous, a modest $12 can load your fridge up with a whopping two pounds of pickles. For $20 you've got enough reads for a couple weeks and pickles for days, a pandemic social distance ideal. The pickles, if you're wondering (we imagine you are by now), come in classic varities including spicy and dill, and are just the perfect size to sit next to a deli-style sandwich on any plate.

"Browsing in a bookstore is something that can't be Netflixed," she says of the experience. "You find your favorite childhood book, one you’ve been meaning to read, one that reminds you of your mom, one written about your hometown. Books are mirrors but are also train tickets, medicine, therapists, friends. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it in a bookstore."

Sweet Pickle Books

If you can't make it to the Lower East Side any time soon, don't fret. You can find a selection of popular, eye-catching, and far-off titles on the Sweet Pickle website.

If you're based in the New York area and have an inspiring story to tell, reach out in the comments or find me on social media. We'd love to feature you!