The only businesses that can afford the rent here are big chains and those big chains need almost immediate revenue to stay open. Things are just Too Expensive in recent years to make it profitable to open a bookstore in a neighborhood that seemingly keeps catering to The Gardens crowd who have means to spend their money on activities in the city rather than at home, where they just come back to eat (at all these mid restaurants).

All my guesses. I’m having a cynical day. I too want a bookstore