City Books, like many other small businesses, is in dire straits right now. Over the last 2 ½ years, our sales have dropped more than 35% while, of course, our underlying costs have risen. This store has never been a money-making machine, nor was that ever our priority. I like being on the sales floor; I like knowing my customers and recommending just the right title for them. Kirby thrives on selecting perfect cards and dynamite gift items for the store and then using her considerable talents to arrange those items in appealing displays. We like being able to run this business and still maintain a level of balance in our lives. We enjoy hearing about your children, cats or dogs or simply what’s going on in your lives.
Some of you have expressed your concerns, and they are appreciated. Others have commented on the declining number of books on the shelves and want to know if we are going to stay in business. Our standard answer is “We are here today.” But if you want us to be here for many more todays, we need to be honest about this situation and say that quite frankly, it is in your hands how many more days we are here. If we are no longer important to you or to the quality of life in this neighborhood, then it is indeed time for us to close and move on.
However, if you think we still can contribute in a positive fashion, let us know by shopping here. Ordering books that we don’t have in the store is never a problem, and special orders usually arrive within a week. Ordering gift items or cards is a bit harder but we always make the best effort to meet your requests.
If we stay in business or not, it has been our privilege to be a part of this community and your lives for the past 12 ½ years. And for that opportunity, please accept our gratitude.
Cindy Russell & Kirby McCoy
City Books
1305 Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98104
206-682-4334
The community bookstore is fading fast.
I buy used, thrifts, yard sales.
When making money is not your priority when running a business, longevity is not an option.
Don’t be a jerk. The owner obviously means making money is 2nd in line to doing something they love. So the “blah blah longevity, I’m a wiener” comments are unnecessary.
And its not going to get any easier when EBB moves in a few blocks away. Does anybody have any great marketing skills that can help them? Maybe a hospital worker affinity card, or some such deal. I’m sure they’ve tried it all, I just hope they can pull this off.
I know its difficult, and in fact even Barnes and Noble and Borders Books are having a tough time. Barnes and Nobles reported sales down 5.4%, and Borders’ sales (same store) tumbled a whopping 14.6%. If they are struggling, I can only imagine what our independent retailers who don’t get the buy in bulk pricing are experiencing.
Hey asshole (since that’s where you want to take this),
I am not really sure why my statement got your panties in a bunch. I don’t think it is that obvious. There are plenty of people who go into business for the wrong reasons such as a person who opens a restaurant because their friends keep telling them they are a great cook.
That’s why more businesses fail then are successful. If it were so obvious why is the sucess rate so low dumbass?
The guy with the potty mouth and rude manner needs to go to Slog, where such manners are considered vogue.
It is hard to tell if this person is old and sour or young and just acting out hormones. Either – it is tiresome and contrary to the mood of this posting arena.
Knock it off.
I’ve seen a similar plea from many other businesses in trouble… “if you love us, support us”. This usually results in a little temporary boost in business and then it fails.
The book business has radically changed in the last few years. The old business model doesn’t work any more. Rather than playing the victim and getting your customers to prop you up, find out what they want, what they crave, what excites them, what comforts them, what they can’t get online. Be openminded and try selling new types of things. The only way to survive in a changing market is to embrace change.
Whereas that is true, having excellent customer service will help a business, I think the book business is experiencing unique challenges. When the big boys of Barnes and Noble and Borders are hurting as badly as they are, is there much chance for the small mom and pop shop? Yes, they will special order something for you that they don’t carry, and don’t get me wrong, that is greatly appreciated, but the patron could also order it from Amazon and have it in the same amount of time.
And what of the kindle/iPad/ next electronic book reader? How do bricks and mortar shops compete against that? What are these stores supposed to concentrate on? Out of print books? Self published? Greeting cards? I know I don’t have the answer, I’m afraid though that these businesses may be going the way of many music stores in this country. Yes, there are a few still in existence, but its nowhere like it was 15 years ago.