It's Tough to Be Independent

Consider what the independent book store owner has to contend with. Large chains that can buy in volume, the Internet, which lets people shop for books from home, e-books, which can be downloaded, fewer people taking time to read, plus, a poor economy. No wonder many independents have closed their doors.

Phyllis Lamken, owner of Dark Horse Books in Driggs, Idaho, heard of a store helped financially by a philanthropist who wanted her local independent book store to stay afloat.

“How nice, ” I said.

“No,” Phyllis said. She herself would not want such help. She wants stores to remain open because the communities they serve recognize their value and support them.

Independents play an important role. They hold activities for children, host forums on local issues, cooperate with libraries to sponsor literary events, and bring in writers for discussions, poets for readings, and musicians to entertain. They serve as a community hub.

Phyllis believes the music industry made a mistake by not giving more support to music stores. Stores acted as havens where people could go and listen to music and talk with other music fans. Since music stores have closed, most music sales happen on the Internet.

Daiva Chesonis, the manager of the book store side of Between the Covers Bookstore and Espresso Bar in Telluride, Colorado, says stores like hers are probably safe from competition from large chain stores, because such chains usually locate new stores in communities with larger population.

She has a hopeful figure to cite, too. In the last year, despite a trend toward independents closing their doors, a few new independents have popped up and opened for business.