As dawn broke on the election results yesterday, many indie booksellers were taking stock and trying to find ways to help their communities sort through the aftermath, as well as to offer perspective and a gathering place, including:
The Novel Neighbor, St. Louis, Mo.: "STL neighbors, we are open today and would love to see your faces. We spent last night and this morning reflecting on the power and importance of community: getting to know your neighbors, grieving together, and standing up for one another. Community is more important now than ever.... No matter what the next few years bring, we are a safe place for you, your family, and your neighbors. Whether you join a book club, attend one of our events, engage with us on social media from afar, or come by for a browse and a chat, we are so glad you are a part of our community. We will weather what comes next together."
Comma Bookstore, Flint, Mich.: "When I first had the idea of building Comma in 2020, I envisioned a place where people felt heard, safe, and seen. So much was going on in the world at that time, from a global pandemic, political unrest and police brutality. The only thing I knew to do in that moment was to organize by bringing people together and here we are 4 years strong! Let's process this loss now but prepare ourselves to organize for a better future."
The Little Book, Des Moines, Iowa: "We're open today, at least for as long as I can keep some semblance of composure. I'll be at the register today. We'll close early so I can pick my kids up from school. You are welcome to come in, lay down on a couch, and stare at the ceiling. I'll cry with you, I'll step outside and scream at the sky with you.... We are here for you, as much as we can be. I know so many of you, like me and my family, woke up feeling less safe and less at home in your country. I'm so sorry. Today, I'll grieve with you. Tomorrow, we'll still fight to Find the Little Joys."
Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville, Ken.: "A bookstore, our bookstore, your bookstore, is often a place to go when you are seeking something. Yes, a good read, but also an escape, a gift, knowledge, refuge, quiet, peace, understanding, a safe space. Our doors are open."
The Astoria Bookshop, Queens, N.Y.: "We will be open regular hours today, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., but we know it won't be business as usual. We invite you to join those of us who are at the store, to sit and read quietly, chalk our front sidewalk, and be in community. Grab a cup of coffee (our nearby favorites are Little Flower and Cerasella), and come be in a room full of books. Or on our back patio in unseasonably warm weather. It's all we can offer today but it's available to all."
Park Books, Severna Park, Md.: "Today is a hard and confusing day for many in our country.... Now, more than ever, we have to engage in discourse. We must break through the noise and protect our freedom of access to the truth and unbiased information. But how do we do that, you ask? WE READ."
Big Hill Books, Minneapolis, Minn.: "We will be open at 7 a.m. today. Come join us at any time if you're feeling the dread that we are. Whether you need a third space to have your morning coffee in, want to chat, or just want to be around people in your community, we're here. We are devastated. AND, we have each other."
The Lynx, Gainesville, Fla.: "Today, we grieve. Today, we invite you to grieve with us, to join us in building up our communities. The Lynx is loudly, forcefully, and defiantly a safe space. Today we raise our voices louder. The Lynx is YOUR space, YOUR safe place, YOUR community space. We proudly and unabashedly open our doors to you all--especially our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ friends. We are here. You can come and be safe with us.
Thank you for continuing to be here with us. We love you."
A Room of One's Own, Madison, Wis.: "We believe in you and need you. You don’t have to buy anything, just come be in community for a bit and pet our poodle if you want to.... Today we mourn, keep ourselves alive, dig down into reserves of resilience, care, and resolve, and reach out to each other--we are going to need one another to do the hard work that’s coming. We’re going to be mostly offline for a bit--please know we cherish you."
Author Jamie Ford posted: "When Trump won in 2016, I went to my local indie bookstore the next day. I just wanted to go to my happy place and was surprised at how many other people showed up for the same reason. I saw many friends there that day and we commiserated together. I'm planning on doing the same thing [this] afternoon."
And in Bookselling This Week yesterday, ABA CEO Allison Hill wrote to members in part, "It would be easy to despair. But that's not what we're going to do. ABA remains committed to our work on behalf of our members because we believe deeply in the work of independent bookstores and in the critical role they will play in what happens next in this country.
"Independent bookstores provide inclusive and affirming community spaces; support access to books; ally with librarians and teachers; ensure that people can see themselves reflected in books; champion the right to read and the First Amendment; promote long-form reading that fosters critical thinking; create opportunities for discourse; provide alternatives to monopolies that limit consumer choice; and bring people together. The work of independent bookstores matters more than ever.
"If your candidates won, hold them accountable and demand bipartisan partnerships to accomplish what is needed for all people, small businesses, and our country to thrive.
"If your candidates didn't win, take care of your mental health, keep the faith, and connect with others. Find ways to support yourself and the goals you hoped your candidate would achieve to ensure that all people, small businesses, and our country thrive.
"We know today is a painful and divisive day for many, but election results are not the end; they’re the beginning. What matters most is what we do next."