Wordsmith Books in Decatur, Georgia is in trouble. Apparently, bad debt has stacked up from their previous location and the up front costs of an author event has sent their ship into rocky waters! Now, the bookstore is holding an event to “save the bookstore.” First, I never understood why bookstores of all places should have to pay anything to host an author event. They should only have to pay for their stock of that book, right? I’d like to know what author that was whose event flopped, but the blogs aren’t saying. Second, there’s a great debate out there on holding benefits for retail for-profit stores to keep them afloat.
Here’s a message from the owner which can be found on their website:
Beginning today, August 4th, and leading through a weekend fundraising event August 15th-August 17th, I am opening myself to your assistance. It doesn’t matter how small your contribution is–with enough help it will all add up in the end. If you want to offer $25, $50, $100, $200, anything at all, it can help. My greatest hope is to not only save our bookstore now, but to offer in return for your help some sense of benefit when we are once again stabilized.
The fact is that Wordsmiths Books is, as an idea and in execution, a great bookstore and it can be so much more given the chance. We are not fighting declining sales, nor are we fighting customer apathy, or even a lagging book market. We are fighting only the debt created by starting in the wrong location. Despite the depths of our need, despite the fact that it leaves me no alternative but to seek your help, we still see the opportunity that lies before us here, on the Square and in the welcoming home of Decatur. We wish to have the opportunity to survive here, to grow and continue to bring to you the same level of entertainment and literary merit that you have come to expect from us. We just need help to get there. We need your help to survive today. If you are willing to help, you can call the store at (404) 378-7166, you can stop by or you can visit www.wordsmithsbooks.com and click on the Donation button on our home page. If you prefer to utilize the mail, then our address is: 545 N. McDonough Street, Decatur Georgia 30030.
There are questions that you have, I am sure. Please ask them. Email me at zach@wordsmithsbook.com, call the store (404-378-7166) or stop by. I am not averse to discussing the matter on any level to anybody. Simply put, we–the entire Wordsmiths Books family–are at your mercy. I will be blogging daily (or as close to daily as is possible) with updates and further information. Again, no amount is too small. We want nothing more than the opportunity to continue to be the bookstore we have been all along. Your help is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten.
Click here to visit Access Atlanta and read what others are saying about this benefit.
Click here or here for other blogs’ opinions on what Wordsmith has done for the literary community.
So, what are your thoughts? Do book lovers consider bookstores to be like all those other retail places? Do bookstores deserve fund raising “benefits” to help pay their bills? The government just bailed out big mortgage banks when they got in trouble! Should we help bail out our local bookstores? Post your thoughts here!
Thanks for the link. You’ve read my opinion on the matter.
I’m a little baffled by some of the negative reaction on Access Atlanta (only a little – they’re comments sections are notoriously idiotic). The real question is – if a local retailer provides a service that you care about and is helping to build a community of people who also care about the same thing – why wouldn’t you help them out?
Well said, both of you. I too have been puzzled by the anger of people who, after all, have the opportunity to support or not support, such a business.
Can’t help but wonder where the anger is coming from.
Good luck to Wordsworth’s, Little Shop of Stories & all independents.
As for me, just because it is not usually done, I am glad to know about the problem before I am confronted with an OUT OF BUSINESS sign. And I’m supporting Wordsworth’s.