Even if stores are still open, theyre faced with cancellations from publishers and authors.
Many have been forced to cancel annual festivals that account for large percentages of their yearly income.
The very things that distinguish us right now we cannot do.
Credit: Courtesy Lark & Owl Booksellers
The safety net for stores widely varies depending on the store itself, and how long theyve been around.
The StrandandNew Yorks McNally Jacksonhave laid off the majority of their employees as stores shutter.
Powells Books did the same; though they havesince re-hired 100 workersto meet the demand for online orders.
Courtesy One More Page Books
Kanes store had its grand opening March 6, before closing on March 14.
Shed barely opened and is now rushing to get her inventory online.
I have a bit of a learning curve to get my online presence more robust.
Courtesy The Bookstore
Their one-year anniversary isnt until June 15.
Were still building our base, reflects co-founder Roseann Backlin.
You just hear all the time that places fail without something like this in their first year.
Courtesy Love’s Sweet Arrow
The odds are really stacked against us.
Searching for Solutions
So how might readers and communities keep their local indies afloat?
There are straightforward ways: buy a gift card or order books online through the stores website.
Courtesy Lark & Owl Booksellers
Many stores are currently offering extremely reduced or free shipping.
Still, many fear losing the option to browse could negatively impact sales.
How do we keep that discovery and exploration aspect of it open?
Courtesy One More Page Books
Beyond a sales aspect, bookstores also keenly feel the role they play in their communities.
Theyre a gathering ground, an escape, and a safe space.
McGervey stresses the need to fill this gap for families most at risk during the crisis.
Courtesy The Ripped Bodice
Shes hopeful this might help more localized events reach a bigger audience.
One burgeoning space for that is book boxes.
Theres a definite interest in these services as part of a larger push to support the bookstores.
Courtesy Storefront
Predominantly, they worry this level of support will flag the longer this goes on.
My concern is, Are they still going to be doing that five weeks from now?
The answer might lie in constant re-invention.
As things change at lightning speed, McGervey is trying to see it as an opportunity for booksellers.
Its a whole new paradigm right now, she explains.
Perhaps well all have to steal a page from their book.
