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Independent Bookstores Are The Heart Of The Book World
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Supporting local independent bookstores can benefit you as much as it does the books industry. You’ll reap rewards in the form of personalized customer service, free author events, and even money off your purchases. Here are just some of the reasons why supporting local independent bookstores is good for readers like you!
Why Supporting Local Businesses is Important
Supporting small, local businesses is more than just a trend—it’s your duty as a consumer. Research shows that when people spend their money at locally owned businesses, over 90% of that money stays in your community. For every $100 spent at locally owned establishments, $68 remains in your neighborhood. Spend $100 at big-box stores? Only $43 stays in town. If you want to know why supporting independent bookstores can benefit you and your community, then read on…
There are lots of great reasons! However, some are pretty simple. Say hello to lifelong benefits. Supporting a large corporation only supports a small handful of people—the CEO and shareholders. But, if you were to support an independently owned business like a bookstore, all those profits would go straight back into other members of your community who use or rely on that business.
It doesn’t take much brain power to realize how much good would come from keeping our money invested in our own communities instead of stuffing it into corporate pockets somewhere else across America or even around the world.
So, what does buy local mean?
The phrase has grown popular recently as consumers turn their attention away from big-box stores towards purchasing locally produced goods and services — which could include everything from t-shirts to lumber. While every individual item may not have been created in your city, region or state, buying all of your stuff at one location creates more jobs for people nearby. And these are real jobs with benefits!
More hands working on smaller projects means your town will remain a thriving place of commerce where new business start-ups are often possible… There are many reasons why supporting local businesses is important but our purpose here isn’t to list them all. We’d rather you pick up a book than read through some kind of long post—especially if you’re looking for some motivation to open your wallet! If you live in an area that’s home to independent bookstores then show them some love.
How Independent Bookstores Support Writers
Today, many small businesses are struggling to survive as consumers flock to big-box stores and online outlets. However, there’s at least one industry that has been spared by consumers’ growing sense of environmental consciousness: local bookshops. According to a recent New York Times piece, independent booksellers saw a 9 percent increase in sales last year. Why are readers willing to support small business even during tough economic times? It’s simple—local independent bookstores support not only customers, but also local authors and local readers are encouraged to attend author readings, lectures and panels at these types of businesses regularly.
Independent booksellers have become an important source of revenue for up-and-coming writers who can’t rely on mass market sales alone. Locally owned businesses help spread word about new talent by featuring new works on their shelves and presenting reading events with authors they’ve discovered. The burgeoning genre of small press books can benefit enormously from marketing done by local shops; these stories couldn’t reach mainstream audiences without places like Indy Bound Books promoting them. In short, supporting your neighborhood bookstore might be your best way to ensure that today’s novelists will still be published tomorrow.
Last year proved to be challenging for independent bookstores all across America. Competition from chains, supermarkets and Internet retailers has been slowly driving independent shopkeepers out of business since Walmart first opened its doors 50 years ago, but there’s one significant factor that sets indie booksellers apart from other small businesses—their deep roots in local communities.
A Barnes & Noble may close down if it can’t drive enough customers through its doors; a Little Shop of Stories might struggle if it doesn’t manage sales well enough to keep profits up, but they both have one thing in common: they will leave their customers without access to books. A struggling independent bookstore isn’t just a business — it’s a community resource that relies on dedicated readers and loyal patrons coming together every day to support literacy and reading culture in their own neighborhoods.
How Shopping at Local Book Stores Helps Readers
Although technology has made it easier than ever to get an entire bookstore’s worth of books delivered in one click, nothing can compare to browsing through rows of fresh, new stories while surrounded by like-minded literary enthusiasts. By shopping at local book stores you’re supporting your community while also increasing your opportunity to discover hidden gems and up-and-coming authors.
In turn, local bookstores have a vested interest in promoting both new and old titles from writers they know and trust. This means readers have access to an increased range of titles with less homogenization among publishers. It also means writers have more opportunities to share their work with appreciative audiences that are eager to hear what they have to say—the most important part of any author’s success story. So, before ordering another stack of books online, stop into your local independent bookstore for a change of pace and a unique shopping experience!
That unique shopping experience is a huge bonus. One informed by your local book community. That means that the local community of writers and book lovers have an influence on the shop in a way that you won’t find with box retailers. Not only do they provide access to books that you may never see elsewhere, but they also provide a center of community information.
Many indie book shops act as meeting places for book clubs and local organizations. The employees are often well-versed in their recommendations not just based on sales numbers but based on how it will match up to your needs or taste. This should be considered one of the biggest benefits because there isn’t anything quite like knowing an employee knows you personally and can recommend something specifically suited for what’s going on right now. Of course, if it doesn’t fit what’s going on then no problem, there are plenty more options here than at any online store!
How To Find Your Local Book Stores
Search using your zip code, name of city or state. Or, if you live near a big metropolitan area, use that as your search base. You can find an extensive list of independent bookstores in your region on IndieBound’s website here: https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder . Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter so you know about sales and events in your area!
Online Sellers That Support Independent Book Stores
Purchasing books online has always been a great way to save money. With local independent book stores, they are able to build relationships with authors and publishers which allows them to stock many books that wouldn’t otherwise be available through big chain bookstores. While it’s easy to order a book online there are some things that can only be done in person.
This is especially true when dealing with niche topics that may have limited availability or be sold out by larger retailers but are available in your community bookstore. Support your local independent bookstore! Not only will you get better customer service, you will also ensure writers are getting their fair share of profits.
Bookshop.org is one resource that allows you to shop from the safe confines of your home and still support indie book sellers. The site offers a list of locations for independent book stores (https://bookshop.org/pages/store_locator) along with information on their local events, special programs, author signings, workshops and more. You can search by location or browse a list by state.
In addition to shops throughout United States, you will also find plenty in Canada as well as some international options as well! For those who prefer brick-and-mortar stores they have an online store where you can purchase books from their featured locations as well as buy used books directly from them. Some shops offer discounted prices on certain titles while others offer free shipping! The best part is all purchases help grow their network of readers.
Go Support Your Indie Bookstore Today!
If you’re looking to support an author, buying books from an independent bookstore can be a great way to do it. There are many benefits to shopping local, not only for your wallet and conscience but also for your city and community. Independent bookstores contribute directly to their local economy: each dollar spent at an independent bookseller generates $15 in revenue and supports about 20 jobs. If we lose those stores, we lose those jobs and we lose those dollars — not just within literary communities but within our cities overall — so go ahead and buy that $14 hardcover novel at your local bookstore!
-R.E.