Independent bookstore closing in Maine

[aec08]

Hi,
I joined the board hoping Mr. King would see this message. I live in Kennebunk, Maine. We have had several independent bookstores come and go throughout the years. We just heard the only one operating which opened in 2009 is closing.

I was at Cornell University in the mid 90's when Mr. King traveled across the country and stopped at independent bookstores to give a reading. Cornell had an independent bookstore and he chose them as one of the stores to visit. My husband and I went to hear him speak and heard the passion he has for the importance of independent bookstores in our local communities.

I was hoping to get his advice regarding whether there is anything we can do as a community to find a way to keep this store open. The name of the store is Kennebooks. I write for our local paper, The York County Coast Star.

Thank you

 

[Moderator]

If you wanted advice about the creative process, he could help but this is something that needs the assistance of someone with a business background.

 

[aec08]

If you wanted advice about the creative process, he could help but this is something that needs the assistance of someone with a business background.

Thank you. I wish someone could figure out how to make one sustainable. Pretty soon none of us will even know what the inside of a bookstore looks like and won't be able to browse through the books and decide for ourselves what we might be interested in reading.

 

[Haunted]

 

[prufrock21]

Thank you. I wish someone could figure out how to make one sustainable. Pretty soon none of us will even know what the inside of a bookstore looks like and won't be able to browse through the books and decide for ourselves what we might be interested in reading.

Sadly the writing is already on the wall. Ereading and epublishing will no doubt cause the closing of many more bookstores. And you're right. None of us will know what the inside of a bookstore looks like because there won't be any.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

How many "new" bookstores also include "old" stock? I remember this once, down in Baton Rouge, kinda down and out, selling my blood plasma, late-trailer payment life w/o the benefit of a trailer. Anyway, had some books, a box full about yay big shoulder-width by shoulder-width by a foot...and...I talked a guy into pawning my books. Don't recall what kind of money we're talking here...but even $20 would have helped at the time and that might have been the amount. I also convinced him I'd be coming back for them once I did something...folly a guy down an alley or something...(just kidding...a line from On the Road)...ummm...where was I?

Old...new...pawned. You know what's unfortunate is that some of the really great stories are not out there in great numbers. Harry Crews. Look on-line...cause that's where we all shop now...but look on-line for his books. There's probably a few that are still in print, low-cost...but more of them are no longer in print and as a member discovered the other day, they are not available e-book, either. Still...you can't beat the feel of a book in your hands...what's that edge called, that the edge of the pages aren't all nice and even?

How 'bout diversify? Old records...LPs and 45s...8-track!.

But then, I saw on the news tonight that the good ole U.S.A. ranks 20th in the world for ease in starting a business, behind Rwanda, Belorussia, Lithuania...and others. Probably Communist China...it's probably easier to start a business in Red China. Ask any U.S. businessman. or woman. But they have sense enough to go to Belize. Dubai maybe. And...what else...I did go back for the books. That's probably illegal, our commerce, our contract bookstore owner and myself...mala prohitiba? whatever the hoity toity Latin word is for behavior deemed illegal by the righteous although when it comes down to it when the conversation stops, you best be armed.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...I have mourned the loss of brick & mortar book stores for years...ours closed many moons ago and took a piece of my heart with it....

 

[king family fan]

Welcome. More and more bookstores seem to be going out.

 

[kingricefan]

What can you do to keep that bookstore open? Buy more books there- simple as that. Spread the word to all of your friends and co-workers and get them to put down their smart phones and Ipads and go to the bookstore and buy a book.

 

[kingricefan]

Walter asked: what's that edge called, that the edge of the pages aren't all nice and even?
I think it's called deckled?

 

[mustangclaire]

Welcome.

 

[GNTLGNT]

Walter asked: what's that edge called, that the edge of the pages aren't all nice and even?
I think it's called deckled?

...deckled?...you watch yer mouth mister!.....

 

[kingricefan]

...deckled?...you watch yer mouth mister!.....

Scott- I am deckling as we speak..........

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[kingricefan]

Everyone has deckled at some point in their life. It's good for the nerves. No need to be ashamed. We're all friends here (I was going to say 'adults' but that would leave me out!)

 

[GNTLGNT]

...I know, it's why I wear glasses....

 

[kingricefan]

...I know, it's why I wear glasses....

....and shave your palms.......

 

[fushingfeef]

Buy books, go to the bookstore, repeat often. Spread publicity, have events, signings, carry local (and self-published) authors who will have events and bring in more people. Make it a comfortable place that people like to go to often, give people reasons to keep coming back. Even if it's free cookies and tea.

Ironically my sister recently sold her downtown bookstore...to a dyed-in-wool bookstore lover! A guy stopped in saying he'd always wanted to own a bookstore just like hers. She jokingly said "Do you want it?" because she has been having trouble getting help to run the place. He made her an offer she couldn't refuse, and he's done well with the place (although I find it a little bit disorganized compared to my sister's crisp and clean shelving methods). So we're still lucky to have the same independent bookstore in town, but a new owner. At least it didn't become a vacant storefront or another Starbucks!

 

[GNTLGNT]

....and shave your palms.......

...bless my ever-lovin' weedeater...

 

[kingricefan]

Buy books, go to the bookstore, repeat often. Spread publicity, have events, signings, carry local (and self-published) authors who will have events and bring in more people. Make it a comfortable place that people like to go to often, give people reasons to keep coming back. Even if it's free cookies and tea.

Ironically my sister recently sold her downtown bookstore...to a dyed-in-wool bookstore lover! A guy stopped in saying he'd always wanted to own a bookstore just like hers. She jokingly said "Do you want it?" because she has been having trouble getting help to run the place. He made her an offer she couldn't refuse, and he's done well with the place (although I find it a little bit disorganized compared to my sister's crisp and clean shelving methods). So we're still lucky to have the same independent bookstore in town, but a new owner. At least it didn't become a vacant storefront or another Starbucks!

Sorry to hear that your sis decided to give it up. I would have loved to work with her there- it's always been my dream to be in a bookstore and talk books with people.