Where do you buy your books? Your local independent bookstore? Or online?
You may have heard that bookstores are going away. But that is not true. They are growing and expanding. They actually increased more than 20% between 2009 and 2014. The American Booksellers Association reports an increase of 8% a year. Among other reasons, this growth has been helped by the buy-local movement that has helped many small business owners.
Independent bookstores are more than a store that sells books. They serve as community centers in their neighborhoods holding and promoting events unique to their communities. They have become landmarks, anchoring shopping districts and providing neighborhood performance spaces and quiet retreats for a rainy afternoon. Plus, they are run and staffed with passionate readers who are fonts of information to help you find the right book.
Saturday, April 29 is Independent Bookstore Day
Bookstores will have parties to celebrate with authors, balloons, refreshments, games and fun activities for adults and kids. Independent bookstores are vibrant community resources and they deserve your support. This is an opportunity to celebrate and support your neighborhood bookstore.
If you live in San Francisco, here is a list of the The 12 Best Independent Bookstores in SF. Don’t live or work in San Francisco? Here is a map to locate your an independent bookstore near you.
