Many temporarily shuttered indie bookstores are finding innovative ways to serve their customers, spark engagement and keep lines of communication open during this challenging time.
Pull up to a chair. Octavia Books, New Orleans, La., posted: "Talk to the chair. Curbside pickup is easy. Place orders.... We will let you know when your books are ready. Let us know as you approach and the chair will have your books waiting...."
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"Who could use a little fun?" asked the Bookshop, East Nashville, Tenn. "Our friend Jane Mount of Ideal Bookshelf (tons of y'all have bought her bookish prints at our shop) is offering a printable blank template so that you can design your very own ideal bookshelf. Squee! I'm working on mine (still pondering my books at the moment) and can't wait to share--though I'm hardly artistic, so please rein in your expectations. Tag us and @idealbookshelf when you post yours--can't wait to see!
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Capitol Hill Books, Washington, D.C., tweeted its "favorite e-mail of the day so far: 'If I give you guys $100 can you send me a mystery bag of books?' Yes. Yes we can." The tweet spurred a string of bookstores across the country to do the same.
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Customized Care (and Self-Care) Packages for Booklovers are being offered by Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe and Phoenix, Ariz.: "Send love, send books, and support Changing Hands until we re-open to the public! Reach out while 'social distancing' by sending Booklover Care Packages to friends, family, co-workers, employees--anyone at all, including yourself! Because when a reader is stuck at home, what's better than book mail?"
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In its Sunday update, Greedy Reads, Baltimore, Md., said "today was our last day offering curbside pickup and local delivery.... We've put as much as we can into both store windows. If your daily walk takes you past either store, take a peek! We are still offering $1 shipping on items we have in stock. Email the store and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible."