Bostonist: Indie Bookstores - What are They Good For?

tikka

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:03:02 -0500

I hit this site by googling marimekko and huron village. >this town is perhaps the only place where the indies have a fair shot at winning - I definitely think SF has more and more independant bookstores. I was so surprised of the number of barnes and nobles.

Matt Dudek

Wed, 17 May 2006 09:20:32 -0500

yeah, of course indie bookstores are out for money. There are two main differences though: 1. Selection - Borders/B&N tends to have a cookie cutter approach to books. If you can find it in Ann Arbor, you'll probably find it here. The face-outs you see at Borders/B&N that's because there is a contract between the publisher and the store. Or there are directives sent down from the home office telling the store what books to put where. If you go to some place like Brookline Booksmith, they may have some contracts as well, but they have a really amazing selection of very good books, and tailor their selection to their clientele. 2. As you mentioned the atmosphere is better. Customer service may be better too, maybe they treat their employees better which results in better customer service. Or maybe it is that an indie bookstore doesnt look like every other Borders and B&N you've ever been too. Or maybe it is that Harvard Bookstore and Brookline Booksmith have incredible events with amazing authors. For me personally, there is something a little soul crushing about the homogenization of bookstores, which should be funky and independent. [full disclosure: I work at Borders]

Karen

Tue, 16 May 2006 10:17:37 -0500

Why would this be about halos? Profit isn't a bad thing. How does a business survive if it doesn't make a profit? No, it's about who's making the profit - some behemouth, headless monster of a conglomerate that lives in some castle in Wyoming, or some regular people living in your own area. I choose the regular folk any old day. Otherwise, one day we'll all be working (or not) for the same company...

Chris

Tue, 16 May 2006 08:59:10 -0500

Isn't this more of a "locally owned business" question? Given the length of Remembrance of Things Past, is fifteen bucks really that much to pay? Is there a time when I should have my halo turned up a notch? These and other questions at 8 o'clock, following extensive coverage of the weather...

Katie

Tue, 16 May 2006 07:53:41 -0500

I am still loyal to my Brookline Booksmith, despite the fact of a free plasma TV giveaway. They always have the best author events in the area, a basement full of used books, and I just stocked up at their huge sale of cards/gift stuff. Can you tell I like this place? Perhaps I should take on another part-time job working at the Booksmith...