In complement to the previous post, this morning’s NY Times used the closing of a Chappaqua, NY bookstore to examine what’s putting indie bookstores out of business.

And while I don’t think the article’s conclusions would be considered earth-shattering (surprise!  It’s Amazon and big-boxes!), I thought this quote resonated…

There’s so much noise in American life that we tend to hear only the loudest: Obama-mania! A.I.G. Mania! March Madness!

Way down on the decibel scale is a buy-local movement struggling to be heard. On the Internet, in small business groups, even from groups focused on local bookstores (www.indiebound.org) its message is that if people want local stores, a downtown that’s vital, they should shop there, even if they can get the Tylenol cheaper at Target and the John Grisham book cheaper at Amazon.

Nothing is forever, certainly not an independent bookstore. A lot of things killed our bookstore, including the terrible economy and the incessant information overload that makes reading a book like a quaint rite from the past. But if we lost it out of indifference, or to save a buck or two on Amazon, we lost a lot more than we saved.

Buy local.

Known as THE children’s bookstore within Decatur’s city limits and beyond, Little Shop of Stories has long been the go-to spot for parents when kids outgrow their most well-worn books or you find yourself in need of a great gift for a child.  But with the recent closing of adult-focused Wordsmiths Books, Little Shop now sees its opening into a broader market.

As far back as I can remember, Little Shop has had a smaller, smart, adult section amidst the rows of candy-colored book spines and undersized chairs.  But Dave Shallenberger says that in the coming months, that smaller, over-shadowed section will take on a new prominence.

“Growing our adult section is something we have wanted to do for a long, long time, but was put on hold when Wordsmiths came in. We’ve added a good number of adult titles already this month and more will be gradually coming in. Some kind of permanent signage will be going up in our window next month indicating that we have books for adults as well. We’ve started talking to publishers about working with them to bring in authors of adult books.”

And while the adult section may expand, Dave reassures us that the store will remain dedicated to its first love, children’s books.  “We want to retain our identity as being a great kid’s bookstore, but would love to be known for also being a real community bookstore.”

In a city where children are at the center of so many activities and conversations, creating a “community bookstore” with a strong emphasis on children’s books sounds right on target.

A whole smorgasbord of Decatur shops will be hosting book-related events during this year’s Decatur Book Festival over Labor Day Weekend (August 29th-31st).

Here’s the store events rundown from the latest of many recent DBF press releases…

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, Mingei World Arts at 427 Church Street is bringing Daryn Kagan, former CNN news anchor and creator of darynkagan.com, an award-winning website that offers hopeful and inspirational news, for a signing of her new book, “What’s Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared to Dream They Could Make a Difference,” available at Mingei.

Sharon Franco Rothschild, owner of the Decatur boutique and knitting studio Two Stix (411 Church St.) will debut her new book, “Sweater Renewal: Felting Knits into New Sweaters and Accessories,” just ten days before DBF, and will give demonstrations at her store during the festival.

Southern Cooking Favorite Delia Champion will be stopping by Taste at 416 Church Street on Saturday at 2 p.m. Best known as the founder of The Flying Biscuit Cafe, Champion will be bringing biscuits and discussing southern cooking, along with signing copies of her book, “The Flying Biscuit Café Cookbook.”

Sage is hosting the Atlanta Writer’s Club for a Sunday brunch with DBF authors. A special three-course menu selected by the chef will be available for this event. The entree includes a choice of Sage’s Benedict mignon, mascarpone-stuffed French toast, or their delicious blackened tilapia.

Incidentally, the DBF also wants you to know that our book festival is now the largest INDEPENDENT book festival in the entire country.  Take that all you big city, parent-company book festival sell-outs!

Here’s a list of all the independent book shops that will be participating in the festival…”A Cappella Books, Blue Elephant Books, Bound to be Read Books, Charis Books & More, Eagle Eye Book Shop, Little Shop of Stories, Outwrite Bookstore and Coffeehouse, and Wordsmiths Books.”

While Decatur works to establish itself as the book capital of the South, the two national bookstore chains, B&N and Borders, are struggling.

The reasons are numerous; from online competition like Amazon (which runs Borders website), to the decline in CD sales. I would also add that the PRICE of their CDs is a real issue. Even with the advent of iTunes, the big box book/music stores are still charging $18.99 for a CD. What is this, 1998?? If I want to pay an extra premium for an album, I’ll go to Decatur CD and still probably shell out $3 or $4 less than that. Or maybe even get it used for only $7.99!

And then a couple days ago it was announced that the big-box book/music business is SO bad that Borders has put itself up for sale.

This has folks all over the internet speculating about whether Barnes & Noble will take the plunge and buy its arch rival. The potential sale even has MSNBC asking “Did Borders Kill the Independent Bookstore?” and tells the tale of a struggling indie shop outside of Wilmington, DE.

Personally, I think that the tale of B&N/Borders and the local shops closely mirrors that of Starbucks and the indie coffees. The national chains have taught the indies some big lessons, as well as put many of them out of business. But just like SBUX, the big brick and mortar bookstores have overextended themselves and now find it hard to post growth or even survive. And while many indies have gone under, I’d bet that the threat of elimination has made many of them stronger, better businesses.

I may still pay a premium at the indie book shops, but I also receive much better customer service. That’s worth a couple extra bucks. Plus more money stays local. But you all know that old sales pitch.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts. Especially those of you that might, say, own bookstores.

h/t: ATLarts