A Longwood bookstore opened by a retired public school teacher will shut its doors before December comes to a close, as the New York Daily News reported.

Books in the Hood provided readers in the South Bronx with a wide selection of works, from poetry to picture books. They will have to go to another area of the city for their textual needs–Books in the Hood was the only bookstore in the South Bronx and the only independent one in the borough.

LaVerne Harris started her business in February of 2007. “The kids loved it,” said Harris. “The kids were like, ‘You have a bookstore?’ Here I was in a poor neighborhood, a female African American, with a bookstore. I thought that was important.” She recently completed a teaching career at P.S. 130 on Prospect Avenue, and retired from the store in June 2010. Unfortunately, the business did not bring in enough money to pay the $2,500 monthly rent. She tried using her retirement funds to keep the store afloat, but eventually decided it was time to close up shop.