By KIRSTEN RINTELMANN
Capital News Service
LANSING – Independent bookstores are working hard to provide reading materials to avid readers and a safer environment in which to buy them.
The Windowsill Used & New books in Ludington and 2 Dandelions Bookshop in Brighton are two of many independent bookstores in Michigan that are moving forward, despite the pandemic.
The American Booksellers Association reports nearly 100 members in Michigan.
Julie Toole, the Windowsill’s current owner, purchased the store in 2018. It was originally a little hole in the wall and focused on used books. It is one of only two bookstores in downtown Ludington, she said.
Toole said that books are nothing new to her.
“I have a background in libraries. I was a librarian for 15 years in Ada. Books are what I know, and I get to continue to follow my passion,” she said.
While some businesses across the state have been hurt by the pandemic, Toole said she feels that the pandemic hasn’t affected her badly — “although, I did have to cut back a lot.”
According to Toole, the beginning of the pandemic is when she had to greatly reduce her inventory.
She was still buying some books, but she cut back mainly on sideline items such as games, puzzles, bookmarks and cards that she didn’t think would sell.
According to Toole, to make up for last year’s cutback, she is currently ordering and buying books.
“It’s been a very good winter, probably the best I’ve ever had,” Toole said. “Sales have gone up nearly 30% compared to the past winter.”
Toole said she believes the increase in sales could be attributed to the local public library remaining closed.
According to Toole, the store takes the coronavirus seriously and follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Upon entry, customers must sanitize their hands, social distance 6 feet apart and wear a mask. In addition, the bookstore has a sanitizing station set up and sanitizes high-touch surfaces and books.
Toole said following these guidelines is important to her. “I have some underlying health conditions. I also have a lot of elderly customers—so I really want to protect them.”
Jeri Kay Thomas and Jeanne Blazo have co-owned the 2 Dandelions Bookshop since it opened in October 2019. In addition to being longtime friends and fellow kindergarten teachers—their passion for books has allowed them to collaborate.
According to Thomas, they had to shut down due to the pandemic shortly after opening for business.
“Since reopening, our readers have been supporting us, and our reading community has been amazing,” she said.
Their bookstore is the only independently owned bookstore in Brighton that specializes in new books, she said.
“All independent bookstores are community-minded and focused on providing books for their readers,” Thomas said.
The 2 Dandelions also follows CDC guidelines, not only to protect its staff, but also the customers.
“We require customers to wear face masks, there are air purifiers and there is hand sanitizer at each door and at the cash register.” Thomas said. “We are also controlling how many customers are in the store.”
In addition to the challenges of the pandemic, independent bookstores are also competing with Amazon and other online retailers. While some bookstores offer the option to purchase books and other related items online, the Windowsill currently does not.
“It’s too expensive to have an online service. You need other programs to help you,” Toole said. “Because of selling used books, you don’t know what you are going to have available.”
Nevertheless, the bookstore still offers books at fair prices, she said.
“We go to remainder warehouses and hand pick books,” she said. “They might have a dent or scratches, but they can be bought by someone else at our store at a fraction of the (full) cost.”