Indies are the best: The importance of supporting your local book stores

By: Justin Williams: Owner of Taino Studios

This American society doesn’t want to lose independent bookstores - not now. The other week I helped out an eclectic lady in developing a schedule/routine to optimize consistency because her life style has led to her becoming homeless. This humbling and very human interaction highlighted that connection and growth, is what will allow us to weather any storm. We can't do this alone. The smile on her face that arose because someone could simply see her, was priceless, a trust was built. There was no money exchanged. No marketing. No grandiose sense of self fueled by social media. No pressure. Just, good old fashioned problem solving and love. This, in essence is just one of the many beautiful exchanges in the day of an independent bookseller. It's nice to meet you. I'm Justin.

Building community brick by brick

Many believe that the art of reading is in decline, where it is quite the opposite. The pandemic caused an influx of writers to emerge with a whopping 264% increase post 2020. Astounding! A hopeful outlook for a country amidst many international dilemmas and educational deficits such as book banning. Thus, as a reader- you are charged with a choice of two in your intellectual endeavors: support your favorite writers and thinkers through big business such as Amazon. Or support community cornerstones such as your local bookstore. Here, I’ll explain the importance and impact your dollar has on lives near you, just by buying community books. I won't go on for too long.

Supporting independent bookstores greatly benefits the local community and economy in a number of ways. As small businesses, we provide jobs and contribute to the local economy by paying taxes and supporting other local businesses. For instance, I always recommend that visitors grab a bite to eat at an independent shop called the Cobblestone Café right next to the my shop. It's ran by one astounding lady hailing from Iraq with enough wisdom to lead us to world peace, all while drinking Turkish coffee. When you shop at an independent bookstore, your money stays in the community and helps to support the local economy.

Supporting independent bookstores also helps to promote diversity and inclusivity. Which in turn impacts the future of corporate culture. Independent bookstores are more likely to carry a diverse range of books and to support growing small and independent publishers, which helps to preserve cultural diversity within the publishing industry. Additionally, independent bookstores often host events, such as book clubs and author readings, which can help to bring people together and foster a sense of community.

All together, supporting independent bookstores allows for a more personalized shopping experience. Independent bookstores often have a more curated selection of books and a staff that is passionate about reading and able to recommend books based on individual interests. This can make shopping for books a more enjoyable and personalized experience, rather than just going to a large chain store and being faced with a vast, impersonal selection. Overall, supporting independent bookstores helps to create a vibrant and diverse literary culture, and can have a positive impact on both the local community and the publishing industry as a whole.

Challenging big corporations: David vs goliath

There's a difference in knowing what to think and knowing how to think. The reality of it is- books are the key to intellectual sovereignty. A vital piece of why enormous companies invest so much into buying your loyalty before truly earning it. Independent bookstores face a number of challenges in today's market. One of the biggest challenges is competition from online retailers and big chain stores. Online retailers, such as Amazon, often offer lower prices and a wider selection of books, which can make it difficult for independent bookstores to compete. Big chain stores also have the advantage of economies of scale, which means that they can offer lower prices due to their size and purchasing power.

Another challenge faced by independent bookstores is the increasing popularity of e-books. As more and more people switch to digital reading, independent bookstores may struggle to compete with the convenience and lower prices of e-books.

In addition to competition, independent bookstores may also face challenges related to rising operating costs, such as rent and employee wages due to an increase in inflation. These challenges can make it difficult for independent bookstores to survive in today's market.

Despite these challenges, many independent bookstores are able to thrive by offering a unique and personal shopping experience, hosting events and cultivating a strong community presence. However, the survival of independent bookstores is often threatened by the challenges they face, and it is important for consumers to support them in order to help them continue to operate.

Independent bookstores play a vital role in the publishing industry by supporting and promoting new and emerging authors. Because they are locally owned and operated, independent bookstores are often more willing to take a chance on new authors and promote their books. This can be especially important for authors who may not have the same level of exposure or resources as more established authors.

Independent bookstores also introduce readers to a wider range of books by carrying a more diverse selection of titles. Because they are not beholden to the same corporate interests as large chain stores, independent bookstores are more likely to carry books from small and independent publishers, which helps to promote a more diverse range of voices within the publishing industry.

All in all, independent bookstores play a vital role in the publishing industry by supporting new and emerging authors and introducing readers to a wider range of books. By shopping at independent bookstores, consumers can help to support the publishing industry and ensure that a diverse range of voices and perspectives are represented in the books that are available.

How can I make a difference ?

- Shop at independent bookstores: Instead of shopping at large chain stores or online retailers, make an effort to shop at independent bookstores. This can help to keep these stores in business and ensure that they are able to continue to offer a unique and personal shopping experience.

- Purchase gift cards: Consider purchasing gift cards from independent bookstores as gifts for friends and family. This can help to support these stores and encourage others to shop at them as well.

- Attend events and book clubs: Many independent bookstores host events, such as book clubs and author readings. Attending these events can not only be a fun and enjoyable way to spend your time, but it can also help to support independent bookstores and contribute to the local literary community.

- Leave reviews: If you have read a book from an independent bookstore that you enjoyed, consider leaving a review on the store's website or on a platform like Goodreads. This can help to promote the store and the books it carries.

- Share on social media: Share links to the website or social media pages of your favorite independent bookstores on your own social media profiles. This can help to promote these stores and expose them to a wider audience.

largely, there are many ways that readers can support independent bookstores. By shopping at these stores, purchasing gift cards, attending events, leaving reviews, and sharing on social media, you can help to ensure that these stores continue to thrive and play a vital role in the literary community.

Your choices really matter and make an enormous difference in the literary community and decide the trajectory of the next generation's intellectual experience. From growing small minority owned publishing companies and uplifting writers that have something valuable to say. It really all comes down to who you want to make rich. The individuals community or a big business that probably doesn't care about you. With that, thank you so much for reading and good luck in your journey, I hope you enjoyed the read. Peace.