Oh, how I hate to hear people say that independent bookstores are a “dying breed”. As if it’s some type of wild animal in the middle of nowhere. Independent bookstores are right in your community, so why are people still gravitating to the big chains?
Well, I know that we don’t have any independent bookstores here in Norcross, GA. The last viable independent bookstore, Chapter 11, closed its Norcross location in 2005 after filing for bankruptcy. So, I explored other bookstores in neighboring cities, like Coffee Buy the Book, Roswell, GA which recently closed its doors. I also watched Wordsmith Books, in Decatur, GA, open 2 yrs ago only to close three weeks ago.
I had become a little less adventurous and took the most convenient route to the chain bookstores with nice membership discounts and plenty of coupons. However, I was reminded of my sense of duty to my community when I took a trip into Decatur, GA for a book signing at The Blue Elephant Bookstore.
The Blue Elephant is a nice and personable place for book lovers. They have the latest stock, clean, plenty of space and seating for a cozy fireplace read. But it was quite obvious that there was definitely a need for heavier foot traffic – there were only 2-3 copies of each book on the shelves. Not surprising - reducing inventory is a cost saving mechanism for most retailers right now. I purchased $80.00 worth of books and the bookseller said, “you are the kind of people we like to see”. Dropping 80 bucks in a bookstore was nothing for me. But it’s a big deal to that (gulp)”dying breed”.
Here’s what I enjoyed at the The Blue Elephant Bookstore
1) Immediate attention from booksellers
2) Personal, handwritten notes, sticking out of the display book, from the staff telling a potential reader why they liked that book, evidenced by noting particular page numbers
3) They have an e-newsletter
4) The events – I look forward to future book signings
5) Simplicity and appeal - The bookstore opened in March 2008 and was named such because the owner is a collector of elephants and books and loves the color blue.
6) The location – they are in a decent shopping center with easy parking
7) They welcome book clubs
Next week, I am going to take a trip to another independent bookstore
2 comments:
I, too, am guilty of purchasing my books at major chain bookstores. They are convenient and give the greatest discount. However, I was SO impressed by The Blue Elephant Book Shop that now all I want to do is explore other independent bookstores in the area. It's unfortunate that I never got to step inside "Coffee Buy the Book" before its doors closed. From now on, I will think twice before heading out to buy a book at a local chain bookstore.
Well, hopefully that's what my little adventure will do. I'm going to find out from these bookstores what they do to build loyal customers - discounts, rewards, trading policy. I want to see how they compete. Some consumers need a reason to pay full price for a book. Some don't empathesize with the plight of an indie store, hopefully they can be enticed somehow to support the community.
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