Actually, I don't think Amazon has done so well the last three quarters. But online bookstores are to bricks and mortar stores as TV dinners are to neighborhood, chef-driven restaurants. It's about more than purchase of goods. It's about the depth of your experience received. I guess for most people, depth and increased knowledge and understanding are not side dishes worth having when they buy books. If they buy books, that is. Sadly, though, the "purchase of goods" side was under-served in the local stores, and we have gotten our karma on that. There are a lot of people that might have changed that, if they had been able to see into the future at the time. Ya never know what ya got 'til it's gone....
Bob Parker Dayton's Bluff
On Apr 28, 2005, at 4:15 PM, Dennis Tester wrote:
"I hate to sound too jaded,"
Ah, Chris. I hate to sound even more jaded, but when Amazon.com came online it was just a matter of time before the brick and mortars went bye bye. I wonder if anyone knows what Amazon's market share is? Whatever it is, I'll bet it's growing and it'll be too much for the mom and pops to overcome.
Dennis Tester Mac-Groveland
Cleverly Arranging 1's And 0's Since 11110110000
----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Rybisky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <stpaul@mnforum.org> Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 3:36 PM Subject: Re: [StPaul] Demise of Bound To Be Read
I hate to sound too jaded, but BTBR (Bound to be Read) has never sat well with me. I can't help but feel kind of glad they are leaving.
I miss (more than words can describe) Odegaard, but BTBR was just a pretender. It billed itself as an independent, yet was Hubbard Broadcasting's attempt at a book chain - they do have other BTBRs, but not in this market. Thank God the Red Balloon survived its onslaught.
The area does need (and can support) another general bookstore, but let's build it from the ground up - and keep in mind that books aren't about turning a profit. I would like to see a co-op based bookstore sprout up.
Barnes and Noble and Borders Group have spent the last few decades trying desparately to turn a profit from bookstores, but they don't get it. You don't use salesmen and incentive programs to sell books. It's about reflection and interaction - personal reflection and community interaction.
Hubbard knew less about books than B&N and Borders. Books are not commodities - they are art (or should be). You can't sell a book like it is just another widget.
I've been in the retail book business for the past ten years - it's just amazing how clueless these corporate endevours can be. Hopefully, we'll see a new truly Independent crop up soon, but in the meantime the nearest place to breathe things in must be the Central Library - hey...maybe a small public library branch on Grand! Yeah, they're flush with funds ;).
Ah well...perchance to dream...
Chris Rybisky Cathedral Hill
--- Jon Gorder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
The second to last of my favorite book stores is about to be shuttered (Birchbark Books is kept alive by owner Louise Erdrich's personal wealth). I wonder if there is anything that can still be done in order to forestall the closing of this beautiful store. Maybe if everyone on this list tells five friends to go and buy a book from Bound To Be Read we can encourage the owners to keep on trying.
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