Barnes & Noble, the nationwide bookseller, almost went out of business a few years ago. Its return is being heralded as a case study and a corporate comeback.
Once upon a time, Barnes & Noble was seen as a major factor in pushing mom and pop booksellers out of business. And yet, since 2020, the number of independent bookstores across the nation 鈥� and Texas is a central player.
How did that happen?
, who reports for Straight Arrow News, said the answer lies in people seeking out local businesses that offer a sense of community.
鈥淎llison Hill at the American Booksellers Association backed that data up and she actually said that it was the year 2020 in which we saw this growth of bookstores starting to open, which is kind of contradictory,鈥� Markham said. 鈥淵ou would think that with the economy and uncertainty that you would see the exact opposite.鈥�
Last year alone, 21 new stores opened across Texas.
鈥淪o far this year, we鈥檙e seeing 13 stores that have already opened,鈥� Markham said. 鈥淎 lot of the stores that have opened up in what they call 鈥榖ook deserts鈥� or 鈥榖ookstore deserts.鈥� And that really means that there just isn鈥檛 enough availability of books in the area.鈥�
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And unlike national chains, Markham said these local stores are able to tune in more to the local vibe.
鈥淧eople are craving community. They鈥檙e craving authentic experiences. And bookstores these days aren鈥檛 just about selling books anymore,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e about connecting, lingering, and finding places to belong.
I spoke to booksellers for the piece, and they said owning an independent bookshop is about creating and fostering a welcoming environment鈥� They鈥檙e offering options: coffee shops, they鈥檙e adding bars to their shops, they鈥檙e having book clubs and comedy nights.鈥�
Local bookstores can also be a place for other small businesses and vendors to connect with book-lovers in an area.
鈥淚 actually just went to a book fair that was held by one of the bookstores in my community,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey connected with a brewery downtown and they had vendors from anywhere from glass, like stained glass vendors, to candlemakers and just a couple other bookstores had some pop-ups. It was just an opportunity for people and readers to come around and connect and meet one another.鈥�