Save Burke's!

From Downtown Books:

Burke's Bookstore, that fine old establishment, is in trouble, financially. They recently sent a letter out to their client list asking for help and "cash donations". In the letter, they blame superstores, 9-11 and the internet for decreased sales.

...

Bookselling is hard work. The image of the doddering old bookman who smokes a pipe and reads all day is as far from reality as one can get. Books are heavy, and dusty. They cost money, as does the rent, the utilities and the people to put them on the shelves. Many booksellers find themselves reading less than their customers.

Things have changed, no doubt about it. In the old days (defined as about 6-8 years ago), you bought a book, you priced it and put it on a shelf. If the customer wanted it, they bought it from you, or they did without. What has been great for the consumer has hurt the bookseller; the internet. If you want a copy of The Sun Also Rises, you can zoom over to Amazon.com and get you one, without ever leaving your chair.

I'm as guilty as anyone. I love Amazon. But I love bookstores more.

I'll do my best to get down to Burke's and spend some money this week. I'm looking for another Lorrie Moore book (I just finished Birds of America, which was excellent) and A Scanner Darkly. I'll go in there looking for that stuff and come out with an armful of stuff I've never considered before. That's why Burke's needs to stick around.