The rent-reduction request by St. Mark’s Bookshop, a favorite of writers Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs, was rejected by landlord Cooper Union, said Bob Contant, co-owner of the East Village store.

The shop had asked Cooper Union to cut the rent by $5,000 a month to help keep its doors open, setting off an outpouring of support.

“We’re stunned and seriously disappointed,” Contant said. “We’re just letting this sink in, and then we’ll start to consider what other options we have.”