Harris Healy III
Owner
Logos Bookstore

Harris Healy is the owner of Logos Bookstore, an Upper East Side specialty bookstore that offers the largest selection of Judeo-Christian books and bibles. According to Time Out New York, a New York entertainment guide, "...there's simply nowhere else you can buy a Stephen King novel for the beach, the latest issue of Contemporary Christian Music Magazine and a card in honor of your neighbor's kid's bar mitzvah all in one." The Logos Bookstore Association, a national franchise headquartered in Kent, Ohio, has 33 independently owned stores in North America that sell both religious and secular books, cards, music and gift items. Harris is the owner of the only New York Logos Bookstore location.

Harris began his career at Logos Bookstore in the mid-80s as a salesperson and was soon promoted to assistant manager. After learning the business of Logos Bookstore for five years, Harris took over the direction of the store. After 20 years on Midtown Madison Avenue, Harris moved Logos to the Upper Eastside (1575 York Avenue). The York Avenue location opened its doors in March of 1996.

Harris received his Bachelor of Arts with honors in history from Hamilton College. He then went on to receive his theological studies degree from Drew University Theological School and considered becoming an ordained minister. Harris' career goals changed after attending the University of Denver Book Publishing Institute.

Harris grew up in New York City and resides in Manhattan today. He is fluent in French, Spanish and can speak some Portuguese.

Harris Healy Owns "The Word"
By Rebecca Webber

Harris Healy found an advertisement for a buyer's assistant position at Logos Bookstore in the mid-1980's. He applied, and began the career that would culminate in ownership of the store that brought "the word" (logos, in Greek) to its midtown community. By the mid-1990's, Healy was scouting the city for a new location after the rent crept too high and the area became over run with "people who really didn't have time to appreciate us," said Healy. The Upper East Side soon benefited from his decision to relocate the store.

Healy discovered a dilapidated space on York Avenue, between 81st and 82nd streets, and set to work converting it with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a fresh coat of paint. He installed the literary inventory and reopened in March 1996.

The neighborhood embraced the store, in spite of the competition of superstores such as Borders and Barnes & Noble.

"We offer more customized service and we have books in our specialty that you will find in no superstore," said Healy.

Logos, with its trademark collection of Christian religious books and Judaica, along with its general interest offerings, has become a cultural community center with children's story hours, staged readings and the "Kill Your TV" reading group.

Upper East Side patrons, unlike their midtown predecessors, continue to appreciate Healy's work.