For the same reason we want locally owned hardware stores as well as Home Depot - the selection. The big chains can afford larger real estate and book sections as large as some book stores. Especially for technical and reference books. Sure, you could buy that stuff online but I’d rather shop in person. Sometimes I need something now and sometimes I don’t know what I need until I’m walking past it. I love the curation and personality of small stores but there’s still a reasonable argument for big chains. I would love to see some sort of beneficial collaboration between chains and indie shops across all industries.
Seriously my city has three bookstores a Barnes and Nobles a half price books and one specialty store downtown that I think sells horror books but I’m not positive because they’re never open
I try to, but there aren’t any near me. I resort to ordering from Powells or picking up from BN in person. I used to buy used from ABE books, but they got bought by Amazon.
My local, independent book store is going strong. Who needs another big chain? Support independents!
For the same reason we want locally owned hardware stores as well as Home Depot - the selection. The big chains can afford larger real estate and book sections as large as some book stores. Especially for technical and reference books. Sure, you could buy that stuff online but I’d rather shop in person. Sometimes I need something now and sometimes I don’t know what I need until I’m walking past it. I love the curation and personality of small stores but there’s still a reasonable argument for big chains. I would love to see some sort of beneficial collaboration between chains and indie shops across all industries.
Okay, I’ll support the independent bookstores in my town.
Let me know when someone decides to open one because right now my option is Books-A-Million.
Seriously my city has three bookstores a Barnes and Nobles a half price books and one specialty store downtown that I think sells horror books but I’m not positive because they’re never open
I’m guessing where you live has a far higher population than where I live.
Have you checked bookshop.org? You can still buy online and have the order fulfilled by your nearest independent book store.
My nearest independent book store is at least 70 minutes by car.
I try to, but there aren’t any near me. I resort to ordering from Powells or picking up from BN in person. I used to buy used from ABE books, but they got bought by Amazon.