Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Broken Borders: Have Indie Bookstores Finally Beat 'The Man'?
Photo by sadjeans via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
()
Five years ago, the independent bookstore was likely fated to join the cassette tape: nostalgically revered, but tragically doomed. Despite hand picked recommendations, too-cool cashiers, and erudite small talk, the local bookstore didn’t stand a chance against the Big Guys—corporations like Barnes and Noble, Borders, and the true Iago of bookselling, Amazon. Then came the Kindle, the Nook, whatever the hell Sony makes, and all-too-quickly the local bookstore was thrown into certain extinction. Indie booksellers started looking less like the counter-culture revolutionaries they once were and more like, well, Luddites. But this month, something sensational happened: mega-chain Borders went belly-up and despite bleak predictions, many of LA’s indie bookstores aren’t just still standing—some are downright thriving. That’s right: mom-and-pop bookshops are back, baby.
Well, hopefully. LA bookstores reacted somewhat cautiously to the Borders bankruptcy. Emily Puller of Los Feliz indie Skylight Books issued a surprisingly somber blog post that conceded, “I’m glad the chains exist.” Despite the competition, Puller credited Borders for its contribution to booklovers and to marketplace diversity. She attested, “—there ain’t no joy in a bookstore closing. Ever.” That is, unless you were one of the 200 customers issued $20 Vroman’s gift certificates in exchange for your Borders Rewards card. The Pasadena bookstore blogged condolencesto the chain’s patrons but gently reminded readers of Vroman’s century-old vigilance; “We’re very sad to see Borders go, but we’re also excited for the future…to have those customers who have been displaced by the loss of Borders discover our store…” West Hollywood’s iconic Book Soup decided they’d rather not say anything at all. But caution is apt—the last thing an independent bookstore needs is bad press.
()
LA Reading. Photo by polaroid-girl via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
So I’ll say it: it’s about time the future brightens for indie booksellers, even if it means chains like Borders have to go. Without question, the greatest job I ever had was at the OC indie Laguna Beach Books—and that’s because good independents do more than sell books, they craft an atmosphere. Employees are both literary confidants and passionate book pushers. Customers grant tips on new books and proffer riddles in the form of mis-remembered titles (“I think it starts with a C…”). Hand-tailored, local-minded, and ideal-driven, indie bookstores do what the Big Guys can’t. Perhaps in principle, Borders shouldn’t have cast such sharp stones. As it turns out, local bookstores have something that big chains can’t quite get right—curatorial prowess. They have personality. Last year, Wired magazine controversially proclaimed that the ‘web was dead’—asserting that the future of the Internet lies foremost in curated content via apps, Facebook, Twitter, et al. With an arsenal of staff shelf-talkers, quirky rounder displays, and carefully selected stock, local bookshops have perfected the art of curatorial book-selling. Sure Amazon can whip up 100 recommendations, but a ‘not interested,’ button leaves little room for the complexity of human fondness. In 2011, despite iBooks and e-readers, independent bookstores are discovering a newfound relevancy to a culture drunk on digitalism.
Support for LAist comes from
Whether hosting in-store book groups, showcasing local authors, or gracing neighbors with great reads, indies maintain the grass-roots good fight. While people cry the end of print, indie bookstores continue to wage quiet battles against costly book publishers, a hard-hit economy, and increasing rent prices. In the wake of the Borders bankruptcy, it seems the efforts of local bookstores are finally paying off. The near future might bear bad news for the Big Guys, but rest assured: In 2011, independent bookstores are still holding it down.
What do you think? Tell us below.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist