About Bookstores

"If there's one thing local bookstores have," said Bookshop Santa Cruz owner Casey Coonerty Protti, it's a knowledge of experts within their communities. Coonerty Protti has put this expertise to work through Bookshop Santa Cruz's Trusted Source Program.

Skylight Books Makes TV Debut

Television advertising is usually beyond the reach of independent bookstores and other small businesses. But Skylight Books has found a way that costs less than distributing a print newsletter.

At last month's Winter Institute, there was the planned, organized education, and then there was unplanned, spontaneous education. At the "Customer Surveys" session led by ABA COO Len Vlahos, "someone brought up Paco Underhill's book Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping(S&S)] and asked if anyone had hired a consultant to review their store," Christie Olson Day told BTW.

Two well-known Washington state indies celebrate big anniversaries this month. Eagle Harbor Book Company and Vintage Books are looking back on their history while preparing for a vibrant future.

Eagle Harbor Book Company's 40th Birthday

With social media platforms multiplying at tribble rate, the question of where booksellers should devote their time and energy in social media efforts becomes even more important. With its New York Times write-ups and positive mentions in Mashable, Foursquare appears to be on the rise.

Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Missouri, is giving customers a chance to both profess their love for their local indie bookstore and help it win a grant worth $35,000 -- the grand prize in the Intuit Love a Local Business contest. Customers are asked to visit LoveALocalBusiness.com and nominate the bookstore by posting a comment about why they love it.

Spartanburg Writers Project to Open Indie Bookstore

Ten ABA member storefront locations and one online-only bookstore opened for business from October through December 2009: