The original bookstore was at 31 West 15th St. , and opened during World War I. In 1932 , at the height of the Great Depression , the bookstore was moved to its current location on 18th Street and Fifth Avenue . The original bookstore was at 31 West 15th St. , and opened during World War I. In 1932 , at the height of the Great Depression , the bookstore was moved to its current flagship location on 18th Street and Fifth Avenue .