13 Reasons Why Local Independent Bookstores Are Worth Supporting
The plight of the indie bookstore burst onto the big screen in 1998 with the movie “You’ve Got Mail” in which Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks developed an online romance without realizing they were bookstore rivals: she, the owner of an independent boutique bookstore in New York City and he, the owner of a chain of bookstores that had opened a branch across the street from hers. The contrast is real.
If you have a choice of shopping at a local indie bookstore or Barnes and Noble - here’s 13 reasons why local independent bookstores are worth supporting:
They are often the cornerstone of a community that values books and learning, and they reflect the core values of that community.
They are a safe gathering place for patrons of all ages.
They host book clubs, author signings, and author events.
They support new and local authors.
They are a creative hub that helps ensure knowledge and appreciation of literature.
They ensure diversity and democratization of literature as an art form.
They encourage their patrons to expand their literary choices and read new things, unlike the online algorithms that steer us to the familiar.
They contribute to a vibrant literary scene in their town or neighborhood.
These booksellers are readers themselves and they understand the magical relationship between a reader and a good book.
Their profits are much more likely to stay in the community.
They represent a place of knowledge-sharing and exchange—the flow of ideas.
They offer a much more personal shopping experience than online stores.
For authors, the independent bookseller who knows our book is much more likely to get it into the hands of its perfect reader.
Independent bookstores face significant headwinds in competing with big box retailers, Amazon and other online sellers, and often it’s impossible for them to compete on price alone. The good ones, however, have managed to provide a value far beyond the price point of their books.
Shop with purpose - choose to buy your new and used books at your local indie bookstore.
