Town Book Store is getting lit(erature)
In 1934, a small bookstore opened in downtown Westfield. Now, 83 years later, The Town Book Store is one of the last two independent bookstores in Union County.
Ms. Anne Laird started working at the Town Book Store as a clerk while it was in its original location across the street from where it stands today on East Broad Street. When the woman who owned the store at the time said she was going to either close it or sell it, Laird jumped at the opportunity to buy. “I decided to take the leap of faith,” she said.
It has been 11 years, and Laird is still in business as the store’s seventh owner. However, her bookstore has faced many challenges along the way.
A recent problem was e-readers, such as Kindles and Nooks, which scared those who work at the bookstore. They thought that people would be drawn to these because of the convenience they provide. However, while e-readers were popular for a while, Laird feels that they are less of an issue than they initially seemed to be.
“People were like ‘Oh my God, books are dead,’ but now people are realizing that they enjoy turning the page,” she said.
In the age of technology, the largest current problem is the popularity that online retail giant Amazon has gained in recent years. The convenience and price of books on Amazon makes it really difficult for independent bookstores to keep up. “Amazon is probably what will end up making me close my doors,” said Laird.
Many people come into the store asking for a book, then compare it to the price on Amazon. The Town Book Store is unable to bargain down to these prices because then they would be losing money. “There’s just no way to compete,” said Laird.
But The Town Book Store has one thing to offer that Amazon cannot: the experience. While it is easy to sit at home and click “place order,” actually going to the bookstore and finding that perfect book is very appealing to many customers.
WHS senior Juliette Naeveke spends much of her time at The Town Book Store, and finds that despite its small size, the store has much to offer. “I can find books for my nine-year-old sister just as easily as for my dad,” she said.
Owning and working at this bookstore is more about passion than anything else. Since its opening during the Great Depression, it has never really made much of a profit, yet it does just well enough each year to keep its doors open. Laird does not take a salary so that the store can break even each year.
However, she still finds a reward in owning this business. “It’s an intellectually stimulating business to be in,” said Laird. “If you love books, can you imagine anything better?”
It has been 11 years, and Laird is still in business as the store’s seventh owner. However, her bookstore has faced many challenges along the way.
A recent problem was e-readers, such as Kindles and Nooks, which scared those who work at the bookstore. They thought that people would be drawn to these because of the convenience they provide. However, while e-readers were popular for a while, Laird feels that they are less of an issue than they initially seemed to be.
“People were like ‘Oh my God, books are dead,’ but now people are realizing that they enjoy turning the page,” she said.
In the age of technology, the largest current problem is the popularity that online retail giant Amazon has gained in recent years. The convenience and price of books on Amazon makes it really difficult for independent bookstores to keep up. “Amazon is probably what will end up making me close my doors,” said Laird.
Many people come into the store asking for a book, then compare it to the price on Amazon. The Town Book Store is unable to bargain down to these prices because then they would be losing money. “There’s just no way to compete,” said Laird.
But The Town Book Store has one thing to offer that Amazon cannot: the experience. While it is easy to sit at home and click “place order,” actually going to the bookstore and finding that perfect book is very appealing to many customers.
WHS senior Juliette Naeveke spends much of her time at The Town Book Store, and finds that despite its small size, the store has much to offer. “I can find books for my nine-year-old sister just as easily as for my dad,” she said.
Owning and working at this bookstore is more about passion than anything else. Since its opening during the Great Depression, it has never really made much of a profit, yet it does just well enough each year to keep its doors open. Laird does not take a salary so that the store can break even each year.
However, she still finds a reward in owning this business. “It’s an intellectually stimulating business to be in,” said Laird. “If you love books, can you imagine anything better?”