Why We Love Our Indie
Sincerely, the Staff of Dog-Eared Books
The day is here, our favorite of the whole year—Indie Bookstore Day! To help celebrate, I thought it would be fun to ask what we as staff love most about this bookstore. Here are the responses from some of our beloved team:
“Besides being surrounded by incredible books that educate or entertain me, I get to work with other book lovers that understand what it means to be passionate about books. And I feel this real sense of community in the bookstore as we try to welcome all people and cultures. About a year after our store opened, a frequent customer in her eighties began waving goodbye and saying ‘I love you’ as she exited the store. It doesn't get better than that.”
“I love how we create an individualized experience for our customers. The environment, the displays, the collection, the beverages, even how we greet people is meant to give people an experience, not just a place to shop.”
“I love the intimate feel of being in a space that is locally owned and independently run, not part of a big chain where every one kind of feels the same. It feels great that I can take pride in the store and the space as well as the positive role we have in our community. I love the act of walking in every morning to the smell of books, starting the coffee, baking the scones. I love seeing other owners of other Main Street businesses walking in every morning because it makes it feel like we’re all in a quaint little movie. I don’t dread coming into work because of the anticipation of what the day is going to bring thanks to our wonderful regulars, people who study and hang out, and all the other book lovers who visit us. I know that my thoughts and opinions are valued, and it is the variety of these perspectives that make our store ours. I love being such a hands on part of running the store, from cleaning to posing and being silly for social media to helping hang artwork and taking Lovie out and so much more. I can also drink on the job [editor's note: which she does] which is pretty great.”
“I get to hang out with the coolest people of all time ever. Also, chambongs.”
“Working at an Indie Bookstore gives me the opportunity to really connect with customers, understand their taste so I can make recommendations and help them find their next favorite book. I love talking with customers about books I've loved because I feel like I'm sending them on a journey. I also love talking to my co-workers about their current reads and finding new things to add to my to be read list. I love supporting indie bookstores because the people who own them and work in them truly have a passion for reading and they want to share their love for books with others.”
“That I'm supporting and making connections with people in my community versus making money for a giant corporation that doesn't care about me. We are also not beholden to decisions made by higher ups, and have more of a say in events at the store.”
“I love my coworkers! The best part is the threatening book recommendations. You HAVE to read this book. You MUST. They are usually correct. Also, just getting to talk about what I love about books all the time with customers is such a joy— and then getting to send that home with people. If you're reading this and you've been recommended a book that you really enjoyed, please tell us the next time you're in the store!”
“It's a workplace full of love (for books and people and silliness), and there are always new ideas and opportunities in the air. Also, BOOKS!”
And as your blog editor, here is what I love about our store—
I love working at an indie because of the community we have—walking into the store every morning knowing I am going to be surrounded by coworkers who feel like friends and family and, of course, the comforting presence of books. I’ve worked in a big, corporate bookstore before, and while it also was cool (because books), it always felt like it was missing something. That something was a soul, personality, and every ounce of love and care we as staff and the community pour into this store. I love hosting my book clubs and thinking deeply about stories with brilliant people, revealing things I never would have thought of. I love working the floor and helping guide people to the books they’ll adore. I love our regulars who know me and what I’m reading and I know what they’re reading and we chat like old friends. I love the silliness of taking social media pictures and filling out the crossword in the mornings. I love how my bosses are always open to new and fun ideas (like starting a translated book club! Or a blog!) and that my thoughts and feelings matter. We as booksellers pour ourselves into this store—as do our owners—and I love that you can tell the Dog-Eared Books is what it is because Dog-Eared Books is all of us, and I think that’s pretty freaking great.
But our bookstore also isn’t our bookstore without all of you who come out and support us every day, but most especially today on Indie Bookstore Day! Thank you for being part of what makes our store special, and happy reading!
