From The Boston Globe (April 2, 2009)
Unchained success: Independent bookstores holding up vs. big rivals
By Irene Sege
BROOKLINE - Signs on the doors of two Coolidge Corner bookstores told a tale challenging the conventional wisdom. The one at Barnes & Noble said "Closed." The one on the independent Brookline Booksmith welcomed the chain's customers and solicited their suggestions. Now, three months after Barnes & Noble departed, Booksmith savors modest growth in the midst of a recession that's battering most retailers.
"I do think there's a swing back to valuing local and independent," said Booksmith manager Dana Brigham. "Small and local can be good places to do business and very healthy for your community."
Booksmith is not the only independent bookstore proving surprisingly sturdy in a stormy economy. Other small booksellers are withstanding the downturn with the same combination of community involvement, personalized service, events, e-commerce, and such extras as cafés or gifts or used books, that enabled them to survive the onset of megachains and Amazon.com.
You can read the rest of the article here.
Two Independent Stores Where I Shop for Books
Banbury Cross Children’s Bookshop in Wenham, Massachusetts
Inside Banbury Cross
Cornerstone Books in Salem, Massachusetts
Thanks for pointing me to this article, Elaine.
ReplyDeleteI just wrote a blog post about Border's plan to get back on firm financial footing by "beef[ing] up some underdeveloped product categories such as cooking and children's books and move away from unprofitable categories like music," Chief Executive Ron Marshall told The Associated Press Tuesday.
I will add your post to the Borders post. All positive news in hopes of a slow but steady economic recovery for our industry.
This is so interesting, and good to hear! I've been hearing the same thing from people who sell handmade goods. I think the economy is making people think about where they do business more and invest in their community.
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to your Borders post. The Borders store in my area used to have a terrific children's sections when it first opened. Then, several years ago, they downsized the kids' section. I was really disappointed with what had been done.
Anna,
I've been buying children's books from The Banbury Cross Children's Bookshop for nearly 20 years. The personal service is outstanding. The owner and one of the women who works at the shop are former children's librarians.