Volunteers Keep Binghamton's Only Bookstore Alive

When the last independent bookstore in Binghamton closed its doors in 2016, the city seemed destined to lose its literary gathering spaces forever. Then Riot Act Books arrived in October 2020 with a radical idea: what if volunteers, not profit, kept the pages turning?

The bookstore operates entirely on volunteer power, with every dollar of revenue going toward books and overhead costs rather than paychecks. Founding member Shams Harper explains that paying rent, employees, and turning a profit simply isn't sustainable in Binghamton anymore.

The volunteer model does more than save money. It builds the exact community connections the store was designed to foster, drawing people who believe in the mission rather than those seeking a paycheck.

Named after the 1714 UK law banning gatherings of more than 12 people, the bookstore opened after the social justice movements of 2020. Co-founder Andy Pragacz saw a need for physical space where people could access literature, discuss ideas, and organize together.

The store specializes in books covering social justice topics often missing from big box retailers. Its collection spans indigenous liberation, workers' rights, gender and sexuality studies, and political movements.

The Ripple Effect

Riot Act Books extends beyond selling books into hosting community events that connect people across New York state. Each year, the store co-organizes the Upstate Anarchist Bookfair with PM Press, bringing together dozens of independent publishers to share books, zines, and art while hosting workshops and discussions open to everyone.

The May Day celebration honors the historical workers' rights movement while creating new connections. Attendees trade ideas, learn skills, and meet fellow readers from across the region.

Harper believes encouraging people to be pro-social represents a fundamental part of building stronger communities. In a city without other bookstores, Riot Act fills an essential role as a gathering place for conversation and connection.

The volunteer team has sustained the store for over five years, proving that community commitment can succeed where traditional business models failed. They've created something Binghamton needs: a space where people come together over shared stories and ideas, keeping literature accessible to everyone who walks through the door.