From the personalized selection of titles lining the shelves to the one-on-one interaction and thoughtful recommendations, independent booksellers add a special touch to the journey of finding the perfect read. Plus, shopping at these local businesses strengthens the community—an American Express study found that approximately 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local economy.
Still, with audiobooks, e-readers, and chain booksellers so readily available, the indie bookstore experience—complete with the tactile weight of a book in hand—can feel a bit out of the way. But for readers who believe in the power of books to unite, Virginia booksellers share how a little heart can go a long way.
Shopping small
“The biggest thing you can do to support an indie bookstore is shop there,” says Ellen Woodall, manager at Blacksburg Books. “If you want one book, you can choose to get that on Amazon, which is insignificant to a multi-billion dollar company. But if you buy that one book at an indie bookstore, that could literally make or break their day. People have no idea how very important every single sale is to an indie bookstore.”
“I know it’s an effort to get in the car, to drive, to get a parking spot, to come in, to get your book and then head home,” says Paige Williams, owner of Downtown Books in Lexington. “But you get to look at your book first. You get to flip through it and discuss it.” And by getting your hands on the actual book and hearing others’ opinions, there’s less chance of buyer’s remorse.
Telling friends
“If you don’t want to spend money, it’s free to leave a review of a store you liked,” Woodall adds. “It’s free to share a social media post that you thought was fun. It’s free to come in and browse and just soak up the atmosphere here. It’s free to get some friends together and go check out the place. All of that helps.”
Showing up to events
A perk of having an independent bookstore nearby is the variety of author events and opportunities to meet or get your book signed by a favorite writer. Though many shops, including Old Town Books in Alexandria, host these events for free, attending might spark your interest in a book for sale or introduce you to potential members for a new book club. “It’s important to us to have free and low-cost literary arts programming. So for folks who love that too and want to meet their favorite authors, they just have to keep voting for us by shopping with us,” says Ally Kirkpatrick, owner of Old Town Books.
Celebrating National Independent Bookstore Day
On the last Saturday in April—April 26 this year—small bookstores throughout the Commonwealth are planning sales, special events, and a good time with readers of all ages. Unexpected finds and a festive vibe await!
