Richie Fulco of Big Red Books (photo by Ellyn Hament)
Owning a bookstore wasn’t always on Richie Fulco’s radar. The owner of Big Red Books grew up on Staten Island, where he loved to wrestle, play baseball, and listen to music. Then, in high school, he read some classic novels and plays, including “The Great Gatsby” and “Othello.”
“I was floored by those books and wondered why no one had told me about them earlier,” Richie notes. He was permanently smitten by the written word.
After high school, he worked in music journalism, insurance, security, and as an electrician. He eventually got a BA and MA in English literature then an MFA in playwriting. His love for music led him to being a lead singer in several bands and to blogging about music. In 1997, he became a high school English teacher in Brooklyn, published two novels, and had several plays produced.
Becoming Big Red
But while teaching, blogging about music, and being a stay-at-home dad, the dream of opening a bookstore — “a fantasy, really,” he says — began. He spent about 25 years informally scouting a location. In January 2023, on a day trip to Nyack, he saw a for-rent sign on Main street and knew it was the perfect place for his bookstore. He also knew that being brave created the most positive change in his life. He retired from teaching and opened Big Red over Labor Day weekend in 2023.
“Nyack stood out among the small towns we explored because it felt different: it’s funky with an urban edge and proximity to the water,” he notes, adding: “It also has a robust downtown and good restaurants. And the presence of artists — filmmakers, writers, painters, poets, and musicians — was key because I wanted to be in a community with a strong creative backbone.” He found that creative community in Nyack, and it found Richie and Big Red.
“Many local authors — especially poets — and musicians actively support the store and want it to survive,” he says. He cherishes talking with them about writers and books, and loves recommending books to everyone. The store’s stock, which he largely curates, includes literary fiction (his big love), music, art, and film books; food writing and cookbooks; children’s books; and poetry, biographies, and memoirs. And he’s happy to order customers books they don’t see on the shelves.
Books Are Retro?
Still, there were — and are — challenges.
“Unlike a food business, which has a built-in audience of everyone who eats, a bookstore serves a smaller base because everyone doesn’t read books or feel comfortable in a bookstore,” Richie notes, adding that some people view books as retro. He wants the store to accommodate nonreaders, too. To do this, he sells Nyack swag, stationary, cards, journals, and related items. He shows and sells art, and wishes he had the space to show more.
What’s in Store?
Now, more than two years after opening, Big Red has become a literary hub that goes beyond its bookshelves to offer writing workshops, book clubs, and regular literary events for adults and kids. Some of what’s coming up: on April 8, The Art and Industry of Audiobooks with Tavia Gilbert; on April 10, a Writing Playshop for Children 8–12 taught by local writer and drama teacher Victoria Oltarsh; and on April 12 the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club moderated by librarian Marissa Krasny. And on May 20, artist Maira Kalman will be in conversation with Ross Benjamin at The Angel Nyack (details to come). He’s also added a backyard space for events and reading. Going forward, he hopes to work with local artists and craftspeople to produce cards, totes, and book-related items.
The Book(Store) of Love
Somehow, with everything going on, Richie reads three books simultaneously and writes every day (he’s finishing his third novel). And he loves being a bookstore owner.
“About 99 percent of the job feels wonderful because I am finally doing what I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” As a musician, he loves picking the music played in the store all day (recently, it was Bowie and Dylan). He loves that his kids saw him turn his dream into a reality, and having them work with him on Sundays. And he loves when people walk by and wave.
“It lets me know I’m recognized in the community, a part of it. It’s a great feeling,” he smiles.
