Robert Spector (l.), author of The Mom & Pop Store: How the Unsung Heroes of the American Economy Are Surviving and Thriving (Walker), with John Nese, owner of Galco's, the Los Angeles soda retailer that sells only independent brands. So far while on tour, Spector has appeared at all three bookstores that are discussed in the book--Politics & Prose, Washington, D.C.; Octavia Books, New Orleans, La.; and Village Books, Bellingham, Wash.--as well at as several other retailers in the book, including Frager's Hardware, Washington, D.C. (where 60 copies of The Mom & Pop Store were sold); Bassett's Ice Cream in the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia; and Miller Lumber in Chicago. In each case, Spector has aimed to appear with a local retail icon.