Latest news with #IndieBound.org
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shopping indie: How those at local bookstores say it helps the community
(WKBN) — Saturday marks an important day for some small local businesses — it's Independent Bookstore Day. The national day of recognition spotlights the importance of indie bookstores and the role that they play in the community. Read next: Local greenhouse still blooming after 30 years April 26 marks the 12th anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day, celebrated by bookstores and booklovers alike. It's hosted by the American Booksellers Association, a 125-year-old non-profit trade organization that supports over 2,800 bookstores across the country, offering education regarding business practices, providing an e-commerce platform, and taking part in advocacy work. 'In many ways, it's honoring the legacy of Record Store Day, which has been so popular in the record industry, and it's really an opportunity for all of these independent bookstores across the country to have a day where they celebrate their communities and they celebrate their place in their communities, and their communities get to celebrate them,' said Allison Hill, CEO of the association. Two local participants of Indie Bookstore Day include Leana's Books & More and POP! Art Books Culture. Both are offering 20% sales on all products in celebration — with POP!'s sale running Saturday and Leana's running both Saturday and Sunday. Over in Greenville, Boundless Books will host a soft-opening in recognition of the day's importance. A complete map of participating bookstores is available on While Leana Hillard, owner of Leana's Books & More, says it's not easy running an indie bookstore, it is also great. 'We try to give back to the community as much as we can, because that's the only reason we're here: is because of the communities,' Hillard said. When visiting local bookstores, shoppers are getting far more than simply a physical book. 'One thing that separates the indie bookstores from the big box [stores] is we do a lot of things for the community,' Hillard said. 'We have book signings; there's no charge for the authors. We set up the tables, [and] they sell their own books so they can make 100%, and our hope is they're bringing in people to see our stores.' Both POP! and Leana's go beyond a physical store — they're community spaces offering respective book clubs, hosting author groups and much more. And not only are shoppers supporting the local stores, but also local authors. 'There's a lot of really great authors that have come through here, and I've yet to have somebody come back and say, 'You know what, I really didn't enjoy this book.' All of the local authors are fantastic authors and we've had really, really good luck with them,' said Craig Duster, owner of POP!. Over 1,200 indie bookstores have opened in the U.S. over the last five years, but Hill says despite the increasing number of stores and sales, it's more challenging than it has ever been to be an indie owner, with thin margins paired with rising costs. But supporting local stores will help keep money in a shopper's own community, Hill said. 'One thing is purely economic, that when you shop with an independent bookstore, about 29% of the revenue recirculates in the local economy,' Hill said. 'So that compares to say, Amazon and Barnes & Noble, in that it's about five times more than Amazon and over two times more than Barnes & Noble.' 'I think local big box stores have their purposes, and even online, major online retailers have their purposes, too, but for the most part, if you can shop local when you can, it keeps a lot of that money in the community,' Duster said. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce states the sales tax shoppers pay at these local spots supports the community's public schools, parks, roads, and sidewalks, as well as funds public service workers, like firefighters. Hill said in current times, when a lot of communities are seeing cuts, that type of revenue is especially important. 'I definitely think there are people who are very mindful of where they're spending their dollars right now and what kind of values they're supporting,' Hill said. 'There are people who really want to support, say their neighbors who have returned to their community to share books and make a difference, versus supporting a billionaire or an algorithm or a hedge fund, which is sometimes the alternative in the book world.' Hill emphasized the importance of supporting local stores, or else risk losing them. 'I think some of it is coming off the pandemic, too. I think we all lived through a period where we saw some of our favorite places close … and I think people really began to realize that we really have to support these local businesses or they won't be sustainable.' For those who may not want to leave the comfort of their favorite reading chair or are looking for something niche, there is an alternative to visiting indie bookstores in person. is a platform designed to support independent bookstores. 'It's financially helping the stores, it's raising visibility around shopping indie, it's providing a 'buy' button to a lot of media outlets who normally might have Amazon but now they have an indie alternative,' Hill said. Hill said in times where money is tight, it's not just a matter of how much you're spending, but also where you are spending it. 'I think there's a return to some values around supporting local and aligning your shopping with your values and connecting in a very human way that we're all really hungry for,' Hill said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indianapolis Star
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Need an excuse to buy more books? Independent Bookstore Day is April 26. Where to shop in Indy
Literature lovers in Indiana who want to add another book or two (or 10 or 20) to their TBR pile have an excellent excuse to go shopping this weekend. Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day. More than 1,600 bookstore s from all 50 states are participating in this year's celebration, according to the American Booksellers Association. Some bookshops in Indiana will offer discounts and other deals to shoppers. Here's what we know. When is Independent Bookstore Day 2025? Saturday, April 26 marks this year's Independent Bookstore Day. The annual event has been held on the last Saturday of April every year by the American Booksellers Association since 2013. Story continues after photo gallery. How do people celebrate? Buying books, of course. The event is meant to support small businesses catering to our love of literature as well as highlight the value of the independent bookstore community. Are bookstores near me in Indianapolis participating in Independent Bookstore Day? Several bookstores across Indiana will host special events Saturday during Independent Bookstore Day. They include special deals and giveaways at The Curious Squirrel, 120 Main Street, Zionsville, as well as events hosted at Loudmouth Books, 212 E. 16th St., Indianapolis. A map of participating bookstores across Indiana is available at Where can I find independent bookstores near me around Indianapolis? The following is a list of independent bookstores around the Indianapolis area, some of which are participating in this year's event. Bookstore enthusiasts are encouraged to check store hours prior to their arrival in case times have changed. 4 Kids Books & Toys Where: 4450 Weston Pointe Dr #120, Zionsville Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Black Dog Books Where: 115 S Main St, Zionsville Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore (mobile location). Chapter Book Lounge Where: 996 Conner St, Noblesville. Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Curious Squirrel Bookshop Where: 120 S Main St., Zionsville Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dream Palace Books & Coffee Where: 111 E 16th St. STE 101, Indianapolis Saturday hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Fables & Fairy Tales Where: 38 N Main St, Martinsville Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Golden Hour Books Where: 5208 N College Ave., Indianapolis Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Indy Reads Where: 1066 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Irvington Vinyl & Books Where: 202 S Audubon Road, Indianapolis Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Kids Ink Children's Bookstore Where: 5619 N Illinois St., Indianapolis Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Loudmouth Books Where: 212 E 16th St., Indianapolis Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-*6 p.m. (* store will remain open until 7 p.m. April 26, 2025) MacArthur Books Where: 2169 Glebe St. #100a, Carmel Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Midwest Leak Reading Room Where: 5860 Michigan Road, Indianapolis. Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Pen & Pink Vintage Where: 2610 Shelby St., Indianapolis. Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Poor Taste Books & Vintage (mobile location) Red Dog Books Where: 8403 E US 36, Ste B, Avon. Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Rose Romance Bookstore Where: 450 S Indiana St, Mooresville Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Three Sisters Books & Gifts Where: 7 Public Square, Shelbyville. Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tomorrow Bookstore Where: 882 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis. Saturday hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Turn the Page Where: 149 N Walnut St., Westfield. Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ujamaa Community Bookstore Where: 2424 Doctor M.L.K. Jr St., Indianapolis. Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Viewpoint Books Where: 548 Washington St., Columbus. Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Viewpoint Books: Chapter Two Where: 425 Washington St, Columbus Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Whispering Shelf Where: 414 N College Ave, Indianapolis Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wild Geese Bookshop Where: 40 E Madison St., Franklin. Saturday hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
