It’s no shock that Recycle Read Repeat along with 300 other new bookstores opened during or right after the pandemic. The pandemic was scary and lonely. Many of us felt isolated or were isolated. During this time, so many of our daily activities moved to an online format. This included book clubs. While the pandemic destroyed several industries and small businesses, many independent bookstores grew.
I often ask new customers how they heard about us. More often than not their answer is, “I’m visiting from ___ and I Googled used bookstores near me.” And I don’t know why I am shocked because any time I am on vacation I, too, look for independent and used bookstores.
Why is that? It is not because I need a book. Oftentimes I won’t even buy a book because I definitely have already packed 2 for the vacation.
I was recently, and embarrassingly, quoted in our local newspaper as having said “bookstores are cute. They are just cute.”It is an oversimplification, for sure. But I will unpack it here:
Independent bookstores represent the community they are located in. They are usually run by a local. That owner knows and loves their community and that bookstore is filled with books and other merchandise for those who will be shopping in it.
As a tourist/visitor/newcomer, walking around an independent bookstore is a great way to get a feel for the values and morals of that community.
But also, bookstores are cute.
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