In the last few weeks, Bookshop.org, an online bookstore that connects readers to local and independent bookstores, has launched a site that allows independent bookstores to sell their books online without having profit taken from them.
“There‘s no real way to make it profitable, but we don’t care about it being profitable…” CEO and founder Andy Hunter explains in an interview. Even though he cannot profit from this website, he’s proud that independent bookstores can get the profit they deserve.
“Our mission is to help independent bookstores survive and thrive in the digital age.” Hunter also gave this quote in the same interview. Hunter is huge in support of solving the logistical problems for readers. He created the website back in 2020 to help support local and small bookstores everywhere that are losing sales and profits from Amazon.
“I’d feel pretty comfortable being in a bookstore that’s accepting and welcoming.” A freshman girl said when asked how she would feel about being in an independent bookstore. Independent bookstores are small ones run by regular people. Independent bookstores are all-inclusive, welcoming every one of any race, gender, and sexuality.
They set out to help their community, giving out book recommendations and sending them out to schools, shelters, and homes all around the community. This is such a big change for independent bookstores around the world. This app allows owners to earn the profit they deserve and get their businesses out there.
Many independent bookstores are very excited about this change. Tiffany Phillips, owner of Wild Geese Bookshop said in an interview, “There are a lot of readers who prefer the digital format because you can enlarge the fonts if you have any kind of visual impairment or impaired vision.” She’s always wanted to sell e-books to make her store more accessible, especially since her sister has rheumatoid arthritis, so holding large books for a long amount of time is difficult for her.
Pete Mulvihill, owner of Green Apple Books in Francisco, CA, said in an interview, “The biggest thing is that every time somebody makes a purchase, they’re shaping the future of their neighborhood or their town or their main street… we survive by scraping and clawing where we can… this is really another significant, if small, stream of income for us. So it’s truly helpful.”
This change for independent bookstores is big, and there are so many more pros than cons. It helps people with disabilities get the resources they need and more ways to give out to their towns and communities.
There are many independent bookstores near us in New Jersey! Some include The Bear and the Books in Hopewell, Booktrader of Hamilton in Hamilton, The Cloak & Dagger and Labyrinth in Princeton, and Hidden Gems Literary Emporium in New Brunswick. All of these bookstores are either Family-owned or owned by just one person, but are all-inclusive to their communities.
With this being said, why don’t we go in person or on Bookshop.org to show our independent bookstore owners in Central New Jersey the love they need and deserve?
