Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Fewer Words

There's news today that the future of Minneapolis' Amazon Bookstore Cooperative--a mainstay of both the literary and feminist communities in the Twin Cities--is in grave doubt. This is the news story from the Pioneer Press in full:

"Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, specializing in feminist and gay and lesbian books, is for sale after 37 years in business, the store said in a press release today.

"Barb Wieser, general manager of the Minneapolis bookstore for 21 years, is leaving. None of the staff are in a position to take it over the store at Chicago Avenue and 48th Street, so the cooperative members have decided to sell.

"They hope to find a buyer by this summer who will carry on the vision of the store or recreate it into a vision of their own."

We wish them well in their search for a buyer. The area needs all the independent bookstores it can get.--David E

1 comment:

birdie said...

The deaths of these independent bookstores is like the gradual chipping away of our individuality as Americans. It's depressing and its final; the passing of an era when people could extol the virtues of being unique. In years past, Amazon Bookstore Coop fought hard against the corporate giant Amazon; given the preponderance of the big boxes, there doesn't seem to be a way to compete for the market share. Au revoir mom and pop/mom and mom, pop and pop. C'mon people, support those independents that are still standing! Resist the urge to 'save' at any cost.