topic Re: Any independent book stores in your area? in Book Club

Any independent book stores in your area?

joannecha — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 22:43:29 GMT

It's getting harder and harder to find small independent book stores. I live in "the boonies", a small town in west Michigan, but we have a small used book store about 10 miles away that I just love. Whenever I go, I plan on spending about half an hour of browsing time. Any around where you are and do you spend time in them?

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

blackhole99 — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 22:48:08 GMT

I live near 2 college towns and there are independent book stores in those towns, but nothing in my town.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

ECBG — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 22:53:59 GMT

We have one here that has grown over the 20? years it has been down town. It's extremely well known, and has readings.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

tansy — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 23:10:16 GMT

I was just reading that a new independent book store is opening up at a small outdoor mall near me. It well be heavy on children's books as two teachers are the owners. There used to be a huge Borders there and I miss that store.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

Sooner — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 23:27:38 GMT

Full Circle in Oklahoma City is a treasure! It is worth the trek into town to browse and buy there! We are blessed to have it!

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

jeanlake — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 01:26:29 GMT

Yes - downtown has a bookstore, heavy on children's books, but has several genres.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

Mz iMac — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 02:20:46 GMT

I too live in the boonies. We have plenty of independent book stores as well as a well stocked library!

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

sandraskates — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 02:47:08 GMT

Yes. There is a family that owns about 6 bookstores scattered in the various cities.

That said, they really downsized their largest store; it's about 1/4 of the size it once was. But they are cute stores and besides books they sell unique paper items, gifts, have internal cafes, and are the only place around where I can buy my beloved Kliban Cat calendar every year.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

sunshine45 — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 02:57:13 GMT

there are no independent bookstores that i know of in my area......even two of the LARGER bookstores have closed in our area over the past few years, one just recently. i really miss them. we DO have a great used bookstore close by though.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

tansy — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 03:00:26 GMT

@sandraskates wrote:
Yes. There is a family that owns about 6 bookstores scattered in the various cities.

That said, they really downsized their largest store; it's about 1/4 of the size it once was. But they are cute stores and besides books they sell unique paper items, gifts, have internal cafes, and are the only place around where I can buy my beloved Kliban Cat calendar every year.

I bought my sons Kliban Cat sheets when they were small -- the cat in red tennies

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

sligo — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 11:37:45 GMT

I LOVE amazon PRIME. Book arrives within 2 days. also,. knowing title of books you can read cust reviews. Most of our bookstores have closed due to the popularty of computers.Guess, I am getting older and love having books within 2 days. Pure laziness on my part.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

insomniac2 — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 19:17:08 GMT

I'm in mid-Michigan. There are a few used book stores in the vicinity.

The best stores, though, are Schuler's Books (two in the Lansing area--about 90 minutes away). They have a great selection of new inventory--plus a huge variety of used books. (And they're all computerized, so one need only ask.)

Books obsess me!

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

sunala — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 01:55:41 GMT

No, sadly there are none left. We have a Barnes & Noble a few miles away but I don't consider that independent. It's a chain, but at least it's a bookstore.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

DiAnne — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 02:00:18 GMT

I was in Redmond, WA today at a Farmer's Market and noticed a book store called Brick and Mortar Books. I was buying fruit and vegetables but I am definitely going back when I have more time.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

AuntG — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 02:11:28 GMT

No we've lost two of them a few years ago. B&N has lots of customers when I drive by.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

beach-mom — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 02:25:32 GMT

My good friend owns one. She stays in business by offering all kinds of events - most aimed at children, everything from reading clubs to fun events based on a particular author. She also has a few night book clubs and one day club that I know of. She finds local authors and sponsors book signings. She does sell a few knick knacks, but not many. And she doesn't have any used books. She offers a membership club (you get money off after buying a certain amount), and she frequently does 20% genre sales, when all mysteries are discounted, or all biographies, etc. People love her, and it's amazing to me how many customers she gets who refuse to either use a Nook or Kindle or patronize Barnes and Noble. But then she IS an amazing person! I have a Nook. I resisted for a long time, then my family gave me one for Christmas, and I'll admit I love it. But I still buy books from her once in a while too!

In another state we had a Half-Price book store. I loved that! When we moved up here they had Atlantic Book Warehouse, but they didn't last long after we moved. I really enjoyed buying overstocked books there and found many holiday gifts (cookbooks and inspirational books). Can't do that any longer.

There are a few other independent book sellers I'm aware of. Most have turned into gift stores, some even selling clothing, that have a book section in them. But that's how they survive.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

happycat — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 21:13:15 GMT

No book stores in my small town. There is a small one the next town over. We had a hastings and I miss it.

I don't think people read like they use to. I go to the liabrary and hardly any one is checking out books (I am), but the public computers are always full.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

sassenach1 — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 17:08:49 GMT

We have a couple of independent bookstores here. I shop them when I can. Since I travel all the time for business, I try to visit the independents in cities where I go. I was thrilled to go to The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, where they have excellent staff and inventory. It's sort of the the home bookstore of Diana Gabaldon and they keep a good supply of her signed books. I've visited Powell Books in Portland. Great place.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

DiAnne — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 01:16:24 GMT

Amazon has two B&M book stores that I know of - one in University Village in Seattle and one that just opened in Bellevue Square in Bellevue, WA. I haven't yet been to either one - I get my books at the library.

Re: Any independent book stores in your area?

tansy — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 01:50:26 GMT

@DiAnne wrote:
I was in Redmond, WA today at a Farmer's Market and noticed a book store called Brick and Mortar Books. I was buying fruit and vegetables but I am definitely going back when I have more time.

I just read about that store recently, @DiAnne, and plan to visit it soon with my g-daughter.