Around Indies

WORD Hosts Literary Prom Night

Brooklyn's WORD Bookstore, which has attracted some notice for its customer matchmaking efforts, is hosting another event for book-loving singles. On June 17, WORD customers will be holding its Literary Prom Night at a neighborhood bar.

Guests are invited to share their “worst prom” stories, indulge in prom-themed drinks, and to mingle with authors Erin Bradley (Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Tarcher) and Virginia Vitzthum (My Blind Date Went Blind, Workman). “Taffeta and ruffles not required but certainly welcome,” said events coordinator Kelly Amabile.

Community Service Award for Bubon and Christophersen

Women & Children First co-owners Linda Bubon and Ann Christophersen will be awarded the 2010 Mathiasson Award for Community Service this Saturday. The award is given by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.

The Windy City Times quoted Chamber of Commerce executive director Ellen Shepard as saying, "Andersonville, and indeed, the world of independent businesses, have been deeply supported and even transformed by Ann and Linda."

Daily Planet Looks at Minnesota Bookstores

The Twin Cities Daily Planet recently featured several Minnesota independent bookstores in an article called “Local Bookstores Build Community.” The article quotes Kati Gallagher, assistant director of the Midwest Booksellers Association, and Amy Baum, events coordinator at The Red Balloon Bookshop, explaining how bookstore events can increase spending at nearby businesses.

The article also covered the economic impact of stores in more remote regions of the state: “Bookselling also ties in nicely with tourism in the lakes and woods regions of Minnesota, Gallagher said. 'We hear from Sister Wolf Books (Dorset) and Beagle Books (Park Rapids), and Northern Lights Books (and Gifts) in Duluth that the tourism industry is important to sales,' she said.”