Strong summer sales help these family-owned bookstores get through the slow season

Aug 16, 2024
Joanna Reese funds her Maine shops on a shoestring. "[We do] as much as we can ourselves," she says, "to save on costs."
Joanna Reese co-owns two bookstores with her father, Harry Reese,  including The Main Bookhouse, pictured here.
Courtesy Reese

In the Bronx, a bookstore on wheels is parking it at a new spot as the business expands

Jul 28, 2023
Come October, Latanya DeVaughn, owner of mobile bookstore Bronx Bound Books, anticipates author events and a permanent spot at the mall.
Bronx Bound Books' busiest period is August to December as it visits farmers markets and school book fairs.
Courtesy Latanya DeVaughn

Two booksellers searching for used books and a storefront

Aug 10, 2022
"We actually love the physical retail experience," says Chris Capizzi, who co-owns A Good Used Book with his wife, Jenny Yang.
Jenny Yang, left, and Chris Capizzi are co-owners of A Good Used Book.
Courtesy Dale Samson

A mobile bookstore in the Bronx “is where my heart is” 

Apr 13, 2022
Storefront prices were too high, so Latanya DeVaughn of Bronx Bound Books used savings, a grant and a bus to realize her dream.
Courtesy Latanya DeVaughn

How one bookseller arrived at its next chapter

Nov 3, 2021
The co-owners of “A Good Used Book” in Los Angeles, California, are back in their retail space and looking ahead to the future.
This summer, Jenny Yang and Chris Capizzi, co-owners of A Good Used Book, began selling books in-person again after pivoting to online sales during pandemic lockdown.
TTStock via Getty Images

New Orleans bookstore owner has holiday ordering, and supply chains, on their mind

Oct 11, 2021
Candice Huber, owner of Tubby & Coo's, is concerned about printing delays and hoping customers order soon for the holidays.
"We've done really well with online orders and curbside pickup orders," says Candice Huber, owner of Tubby & Coo's.
Courtesy Candice Huber

A Los Angeles bookstore owner on reinventing her small business during the pandemic

Oct 12, 2020
Celene Navarrete had to close her shop doors in March and is now growing her online store and attending virtual book fairs.
Celene Navarrete, left, and Chiara Arroyo, owners of LA Librería in Los Angeles.
Sergio López Valero/Courtesy of Celene Navarrete

For public good, not for profit.

France's indie bookstores thrive in the age of Amazon

Jan 28, 2016
Big retailers can't charge significantly less for a title than a bookseller
Jérôme Cuvelier at his bookstore, La Maneouvre, says he did about a million dollars in business last year. 
Emma Jacobs

Lewis and Clark treasure hidden in Powell's bookstore

Jan 25, 2016
Encased in bubble wrap, a two-volume set of the 1814 Lewis and Clark journals

Adapting to a changing neighborhood: Book Show

Dec 5, 2014
Book Show's odd, unknown, fringe, and quirky collection finds a home.