I really like independent bookstores, but it is increasingly true that they need great hooks to get customers. I took a Bookselling class at PSU where we learned a lot about the history and traditions of selling books, but these methods aren’t cutting it any more. Patrons don’t just walk into bookstores and buy the books that catch their eye – they often find books they want and then go home and order them online from cheaper sellers.
But independent bookstores are far from dead, and many have great ideas about how to increase both foot traffic and revenue: Indie Bookstores of the Future.
Here’s some great ideas for indie stores:
1. Coffee shop (or even small café with breakfast and lunch items)
2. Event space for rent, not just for literary events, increases traffic
3. Special niche sections, perhaps about interests local to the area (like breweries for Portland)
4. Art displays, esp. book and literary arts
5. Events in general, but not just readings: poetry slams, releases, themed costume balls (people in the vampire and Steampunk interest groups, for example, usually have no problem shelling out a few bucks for a party!)
6. Espresso Book Machine/Microsoft Surface
7. Access to computers for downloading iBooks and e-books
8. Establishing partnerships/loyalties with small presses, writers, and even publishing professionals like editors and designers – also allows for combined marketing plans
These are all just simple ideas that I’m sure most bookstore owners have already had – but it makes me feel better about the possibilities for the future.
For locations and book recommendations from Independent bookstores, the best site is IndieBound.org. My favorite indie store in Portland is Annie Bloom’s Books in Multnomah Village.
Grrlbibliophile's Blog 
Raz,
I wholeheartedly agree that independent bookstores are really important, and I want to see them survive. I glanced at your site, and it made me very happy to see so many people discussing this issue. I hope that bookstores realize the potential of online marketing and even e-books for their sales, because the indie bookstores need to change as quickly as the publishers, which some of them fail to realize so far.
Happy Indie shopping.
Maureen,
Thanks for the interesting post. I liked your ideas and I agree with you that independent bookstores will need to look for innovative ideas with local focus to generate income and stay alive.
We at Eco-Libris are also very interested in the future of bookstores as we believe they’re an important part of the book industry and the way bookstores will be operating in the future can play an important role in the efforts to make the industry more sustainable. Therefore, we launched a webpage with links to interesting articles about this issue, which also includes your article – http://www.ecolibris.net/bookstores_future.asp
I hope these discussions will eventually transform into actions, which will result in the continuing existence of viable independent bookstores.
Raz Godelnik
Eco-Libris