Author Topic: Bookstores  (Read 178 times)

Offline Damocles

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Bookstores
« on: August 14, 2018, 10:07:07 am »
What does your ideal bookstore look like to you?  Dark woods?  Large overstuffed chairs?  Coffee bar?

or

Lots of whites and open windows and airy with some plants for color here or there?

Curious as I don't seem to see many bookstores anymore outside of the occasional Barnes and Noble or the rare independent thanks to online ordering.

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Offline Athersgeo

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Re: Bookstores
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2018, 02:46:22 pm »
Actually having books is my main criteria (criterium?) - my local bookshop was a significant shelf space given over to Things That Aren’t Books. eReader accessories and bookmarks, I can see the logic. Pocket gardens, practical jokes and jigsaw puzzles, not so much! Beyond that, decent lighting so I can actually read book spines/fly leaves. Anything else (like sears and coffee bars) are entirely optional.
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Offline Amara

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Re: Bookstores
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2018, 07:38:16 pm »
I'd love to know what your favorite bookshop looks like, Damocles.

Your discussion reminded me that I haven't been in a bookshop in years. (I find myself gobsmacked at this fact.) I guess it's because I did a huge clean-out several years ago and have had no urge to buy a book since. I still have ones I want to read here, and if I see a book or a subject I want to read up on I will go to the library. It's funny how I went, over the course of several years, from "I need alllllll these books" to "Eh, a hundred or less here works fine. I don't need to own them."

Offline Morrigan

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Re: Bookstores
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2018, 10:35:06 pm »
I currently work in a bookstore, and I have had the opportunity to work in both large format and small format.

The large format store has a coffee shop, big comfy chairs for reading, and at Christmas, the whole place is decked out with Christmas trees and smells like pine. The one I worked at had large windows, and it was always sunny in the store.

The small format store I work at now is in the mall, and it's equally cozy. We don't have room for chairs or a coffee bar, but we do have rows of books, and it's quite bright. Honestly though, I think the best thing about the atmosphere is the workers. Both stores have treated me as if I am a family member, and everyone cares about everyone else. I love coming to work to share my favourite books with customers, but the workers make working at the bookstore a great experience.
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Offline Winterlight

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Re: Bookstores
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2018, 09:17:27 pm »
Lots of books. Not just bestsellers, either, I want obscure and weird options.

Minimal shelf space devoted to non-book stuff.

Comfy chairs where I can sit and read.

Long hours. Like, "We close at 11pm" hours.

...I think I just described the Strand in NYC.
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Offline whiterose

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Re: Bookstores
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2018, 09:34:58 pm »
Lots of books in lots of genres.

Educational toys available for all ages.

Air-conditioned and not dusty.

Easily accessible. Not out of the way. With plenty of parking.

Many magazines. Yes, many magazines indeed.

Chairs where I can read in. And tables too.
I have pet mice!

Offline Coraline

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Re: Bookstores
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2018, 10:04:37 pm »
The bookstore I love near me has 3 cats. It's so nice to be browsing and come across one curled up on a chair like a big furry cushion.