On Saving the Rural New England Bookstore

One-Day-Bookstore-Tour Yields Great Book Bargains in Portsmouth NH Area

2012-02-12T14:56:00.011-05:00

I just got back from a great One-Day-Bookstore-Tour in and around Portsmouth NH, where the RiverRun Bookstore reopened at its new location. On Saturday, the place was buzzing. I was disappointed to learn that the SecondRun shop, which has been closed for a year won’t be reopening any time soon. But, according to the one of the owners, there may be a Used Book store in its future – but, probably out of town where the rents are lower.

The new shop is delightful. It’s not very large, but well organized and thankfully, it’s peppered with a lot of Used Books. Unlike a lot of shops, the new and used books are inter-mixed on the same shelves by category. So, when I’m looking at biographies, I can find a new release parked right next to a used copy of Amelia Earhart by Doris Rich for $10. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. I also found The River of Doubt, a great biography about Theodore Roosevelt’s adventure on the Amazon River for the same price. They also have bargain books in boxes at the front of the store from $2 to $5.

Downtown Portsmouth is a great walking town, but you don’t have to walk far to find shops, restaurants, bar and grills, galleries, and a lot more. I visited the former location of the SecondRun used book shop, which now anchored an artist’s gallery. Then, after a quick bite at The Page Restaurant, I was on my way seven miles up the road to Drake Farm in North Hampton.

The Drake Farm Book Shop is a remarkable local landmark. The barn was built around 1830 and from its antique railroad station wood stove (this weekend’s only source of heat) to its two floors overstuffed with 45,000 books, you know you are visiting someplace special. The owner, Bob, greets everyone who enters and encouraged browsers to button up their overcoat as the barn is unheated due to the $300 per week oil charge. So, bring your gloves and when you can’t stand it anymore, come back to the store front and warm yourself at the wood stove.

The $300 oil charge is understandable once you get inside the enormous barn. Room after room draws you further along into the enormous space. Books are stacked on shelves so tightly that you have to pull out several books at a time to release the one you want to inspect. The rooms and sections of rooms are well labeled so you can find the military or natural science or fiction sections easily. But, this is clearly a place that requires more than one visit. The vastness of the collections is hard to describe.

Among the several books that I bought was Marshall, Hero for Our Times by Leonard Mosley. The collection of WW II and other military genre books was impressive. For the most part, each book is wrapped in plastic with a written description of edition and pricing. The books are handled less this way and better preserved for the ultimate buyer. Each of the several books I purchased was a First Edition and each was treated by the bookseller with care and reverence. The pricing was fair and if you group your buys, you can earn some further discounts for purchases over $50 and $100, etc. So a good deal becomes a great deal.

Moving on down the road, you will find the Book Outlet just a mile away. This is another landmark, in its own way, as it’s been a fixture at the North Hampton Village Shopping Center at the Intersection of Rte. 1 and Rte. 111, for over a decade. The shop features paperback and hardcover used books and accepts book trade-ins toward purchases. It’s clean, neat and well lit. When you spot the $1.99 and $2.99 orange tags on books in the History or Biography section, or the $0.99 box at the front of the store, it’s hard to believe your luck. I’m always tempted to fill my arms with books. I found four volumes today that set me back a total of about $10. The four books were an autobiography, Me, by Katherine Hepburn, a book by Henry Kissinger, The Fitzgeralds and Kennedy’s saga by Doris Kearns Goodwin and the biography of Whittaker Chambers by Sam Tanenhaus.

Normally I can stop at four or five book shops in a day, but the extra browsing in downtown Portsmouth and the extended visit to Drake Farm limited me to three shops. Not that I’m complaining, the visits were all worthwhile. I also devoted a little bit of time to a Valentine gift for my wife. It’s important for future touring expeditions to maintain a happy home.

Finding Bargains During One-Day Bookstore Tour to Connecticut Coast

2012-01-30T20:08:00.014-05:00

My most recent One-Day Bookstore Tour took me to four of my favorite places along the Connecticut coastline. Starting with Harbor Books in Old Saybrook and ending at Bank Square Books in Mystic was only a drive of about 27 miles. Along the way I visited the Book Barn in Niantic and Book Trader Etc., in Groton. The Old Saybrook to Mystic (or Westerly RI) stretch is an historic and inviting tourist destination enjoyed by many, especially during the summer. The beaches, the parks, the country inns and historic sites, such as the Mystic seaport, are all strong attractions. Years ago, when I lived in Mystic, it seemed to me that the area was underrated as a destination and somewhat still is in my mind.

But, for me, the destination bookshops offer a great day trip for someone vacationing in the area. You can find a great collection of used books at three of the four stops, and while the Bank Square Books in Mystic is not a strong used book shop, it makes up for it with the emphasis on local authors and books about the sea, sailing and nautical interests. It also has a strong children’s section.

In Old Saybrook, Harbor Books is small but mighty. It has an eclectic mix of titles and I always manage to find something that I consider a bargain; either because it’s ridiculously low priced, or it’s an underpriced find. When I find something, such as an autographed book, it feels like a successful treasure hunt. It always intrigues me that the store owner has a constantly changing collection of books about Katherine Hepburn.

Up the road in Niantic, the Book Barn is actually three separate locations, each with its own unique look and feel. But, you can rest assured that I bought books in all three locations. They are all within a minute’s drive of each other; I suppose the really hearty could walk, but how could I carry all those books? The main barn had some great military genre books; the Midtown location had some great biographies; and the Downtown location had a recent arrival of movie star biographies that I couldn’t resist. Plus, this was their annual 30 percent sale, so the low prices were even better.

Continuing eastward, I arrived in Groton, home of the submarine manufacturer, General Dynamics-Electric Boat. The Book Trader, Etc., is a small store, sharing a plaza with Dunkin Donuts. In fact, they swapped locations when the doughnut shop wanted to add a drive-through. But, the book shop continues its decades-long tradition with its 3x5 card file for buyers who make a purchase and get a credit against their next purchase when they return the previous purchase. It’s wild. I never get involved with that sort of thing because I shop in dozens of shops all over the place. But, for the locals, this is a great feature.

The final stop of the day was at Bank Square Books in Mystic. It’s right downtown close to the drawbridge. The on-going streetscape work continues, but it’s my view that by next summer it will be something worth seeing and experiencing. I have seen such improvements in other cities and towns and it goes a long way toward making the “hard-scape” of a downtown more agreeable. We’ll see. But, as to the book shopping, you will find lots of local author and local interest books here. It’s really great to see a full-service independent bookshop right in the middle of the action. I never miss stopping in. I also never fail to drive by the old sea Captain’s house on Pearl Street that I rented years ago. It’s still impressive today.

Four book shops along the coastline and a backseat piled high with books. Another great One-Day Bookstore Tour.

New Independent Bookstore Opens

2011-08-01T10:31:00.016-04:00

Sadly, one of my favorite bookstores, the Ben Franklin Bookstore in Worcester, has recently closed. The owner had to make that difficult decision of independent booksellers that he could not continue. But, happily, I discovered a new independent bookstore this week, which opened in nearby West Boylston, MA. The Beech Tree Place Bookstore officially opened at Noon on Saturday, July 30, 2011 and I am happy to report that I was the first official customer.

So, it's time to edit my "favorite 25" bookstores at my website - Guide To Rural New England Bookstores. But, that's nothing new; I am constantly changing and updating my list of bookstores.

To win a personal bet with a friend, the owner-operator of the new shop, Ina, went ahead and opened as planned at noontime, despite most of the inventory still being in boxes and not well distributed on the shelves. I congratulate her on her perserverance, determination, and brave attitude about being an independent bookseller. In addition to books, the store will feature records too. That's a great combination for those of us who like to live in the past. Those old record albums are hard to replace when they finally bite the dust, and this new shop should be a boon to collectors.

Ina will spend the next few weeks properly sorting and pricing the inventory, but then again, that will be her permanent role in the months and years ahead, as a used book seller. Every day is an adventure in sorting, pricing, shelving and selling. I look forward to finding a lot of treasures in this new shop.

I mentioned that I was the first official customer. It's true. I found three books right away and I might say that it's fortunate for me, and my wallet, that Ina didn't have all the books on the shelves yet. I might have overbought. (If that's possible).

So, as Ben Franklin drops off my list of go-to bookshops, I will now add Beech Tree Place Bookstore to my list when the wanderlust gets a hold of me and I feel the need to scour bookshelves for hidden treasures. If you visit, let me know what you think about the new place. And best of luck to Ina on her latest adventure.

One-Day-Bookstore-Tour in Vermont

2010-04-23T16:24:00.010-04:00

On Saturday, April 24, 2010 I paid a quick visit to some of my favorite bookstores in Central Vermont. My One-Day-Bookstore-Tour took me to The Book Shed, Hermit Hills Books, Bulwagga Books and Seasoned Bookseller. The idea for a One-Day Bookstore Tour, which I copied from Joseph Trenn, of The Book Shed in Benson, VT, is a perfect way to spend a weekend day browsing the shelves of used book stores all in the same general area.

I first stopped at Hermit Hill Books in Poultney, VT and was immediately in danger of not getting out of there to visit the other three booksellers on the planned tour. The collection of Revolutionary, Civil War, and World War II books might have pinned me down all day. Plus, the biographies and autobiographies collection was tremendous. I bought a handful of books and ran out so I didn't miss the chance to continue my tour.

Just 15 miles up the road was The Book Shed in Benson VT. And I mean shed. It's such a simple building in a simple town, but the tight aisles and the tall shelves are filled with books on a wide range of topics. Joe was out and about while I was there but I was pleased to make the first purchase of the day. It requires patience to visit a used bookstore, unlike a chain bookstore, which are run with the usual efficiency of typical retail operations. In the used bookstore, you expect to find books piled in the aisles, not yet sorted, but available nonetheless if you can take the time to sort through them yourself.

Continuing up the road another 15 miles I dropped in at Bulwagga Books and Gallery in Whiting VT. You can't miss this bookstore as it shares a building with the town post office (Zip 05778). When you see the display rack on the porch with paperbacks for 50 cents each, you know it's a fun place to shop. Inside, the front of the store is reasonably organized, with some shelves labeled to let you know where the Fiction resides. It gets a bit crowded as you move toward the middle and back of the store and becomes totally impassable in the back room. Hidden in the stacked books are the book-buyers dream. Interesting and rarely found books at very reasonable prices. I found a signed copy of a biography of W.E.B. Dubois that you wouldn't find anywhere else no matter how long you looked.

The last stop was 25 miles further along at Seasoned Booksellers in Rochester, VT. This is a great place for the last stop as it also has a cafe with coffee and light fare that came in handy in the early afternoon. Customers bought books, magazines and newspapers and sat at tables in the rooms surrounded by shelves of books for sale. The whole atmosphere was very open and low-key friendly. It was the perfect place to find some bargains, especially on the 30 percent and 50 percent off carts. The already low prices on the books, plus the discount, made it worthwhile to stock up. If no one is at the counter, just pay for the books in the cafe.

Timing Is Everything
For anyone on vacation in and around the Rutland VT region, it would take half an hour to get to Poultney VT for your first stop. For the second and third stops at Benson and Whiting, you should allow a half-hour drive each and at least a half-hour visit each. The final stop at Rochester is a 40 minute drive, which would bring the total to about three and a half hours combined driving, including the return trip from Rochester to Rutland. Then, if you allow two hours in-store time (four 30-minute visits) the total for the One-Day-Bookstore-Tour would be about five and a half hours; longer if you visit longer. A perfect day, well spent.

When I make this round-robin trip, I generally include a stop at the Vermont Country Store in Weston VT, as I am generally coming up from Massachusetts. On the way home, I stop in Bellows Falls VT at the Village Square Booksellers and the Arch Bridge Bookshop. These two stores are practically next to each other on Main Street and combined bring you the best of a general interest bookstore and a used bookseller extraordinare.

This past Saturday was a perfect day to visit six bookstores and enjoy the landscape and atmosphere of Central Vermont. I can't wait to go back.

When is a Mill not a Mill? When it's a Bookstore, of course.

2009-04-27T14:04:00.005-04:00

When I walked up to the counter the second time, the clerk gave me a slightly puzzled look. However, I had prepared myself for her reaction. The stack of books that I thunked-down on the counter was the same height as the stack I had thunked-down 30 minutes ago. For a moment, she was wondering to herself, "Is he buying one more book - while still carrying around the dozen he already bought...or is this a whole new stack?"

Yes, it was a whole new stack. (She then made a small fist-pump for success - realizing she had another multi-copy sale.) When I go to the Montague Bookmill, one of my favorite rural New England bookstores, you can count on a stack or two each time. What was different this time was that my wife, Patti, came along for the visit. She plunked herself down on one of the comfy couches and began reading a huge volume about Feng Shui design. As an amateur interior designer and decorator she is always looking for inspiration. (She bought the book.)

And inspiration is what you find at the Montague Bookmill. Set inside the old gristmill along the Sawmill River not too far from Northampton MA, it's the perfect place to find books, music and a delightful grilled sandwich served on sourdough bread. Last week, I found some great biographies, among other books, and felt somewhat cheated that I had to put some of the books back on the shelf. They will have to wait for the next visit.

But, we also spent some time touring the area and taking pictures. In addition to interior design, Patti is an accomplished amateur photographer too. We took pictures at the Sawmill River and at places along the way home too. Altogether, it was a great day at a great destination rural bookstore in New England. The Montague Bookmill is only one of my favorite 25 rural New England bookstores, but it has the advantage of being only 45 minutes away from my home, so I can go as often as I like. I don't have to wait for a vacation or long-weekend get-away. Let me know if you've been there.

Write me at mailto:Info@GuideToNewEnglandBookstores.com.

Concept: One-Day Bookstore Tour

2009-02-02T09:56:00.006-05:00

When I discovered the suggestion by Joseph Trenn, proprietor of The Book Shed in Benson, Vermont, of a One-Day Vermont Bookstore Tour, I was fascinated with its powerful simplicity. Unlike the elaborate Bookstore Tourism, developed and promulgated by Larry Portzline, the One-Day concept described by Trenn on his website hit home for me.

Bookstore Tourism Made Simple
Here was a way to accomplish much of what Portzline was seeking, without the necessity of the elaborate planning, recruiting, organizing and execution surrounding his Bookstore Tourism operation. Trenn simply listed four nearby bookstores along the back roads of central Vermont – and presto – you had a custom, one-day bookstore tour. It was suitable for you to do it by yourself, or with a friend, or your family – or your church choir if you wanted to rent a bus. But, it was simple, direct and low-cost.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the whole Bookstore Tourism concept as promoted by its inventor, Larry Portzline, which encouraged tourists to join together – often on a rented bus – to “tour” destination bookstores. Portzline led groups on tours in various parts of the country and other organizations took up the challenge to promote visits to interesting and exciting independent bookstores. Unfortunately, the movement, which began about five years ago, has fallen on hard times as Portzline has removed himself as the champion of the concept. But, in various places around the country, there continue to be enthusiasts organizing trips in the spirit of bookstore tourism as originally envisioned by Portzline.

One-Day Bookstore Tours
In keeping the spirit of Bookstore Tourism alive, I believe that Joseph Trenn’s suggestion of spending a day roving from one bookstore to the next is fantastic. In my book, A Vacationer’s Guide to Rural New England Bookstores, I have outlined several One-Day Bookstore Tours in New England for my readers to consider. Of course, I include The Book Shed in Benson and the bookstores nearby in Poultney, Whiting and Rochester, VT. I also describe tours in other regions of New England that might tempt you to take a day trip or to devote one of your vacation days to bookstore touring.

Recently, I was in Mystic, CT and after visiting at Bank Square Books it was easy to include The Book Barn in Niantic and Harbor Books in Old Saybrook before I drove home. Whoops! I just made a bookstore tour in about three hours. (Bought a lot of books too, including two at Harbor Books for one dollar a piece.)

Destination Bookstores
I didn’t invent the one-day bookstore tour; that credit belongs to Joseph Trenn. But, I believe that my list of one-day bookstore tours to "destination bookstores" could contribute to a fine day’s outing for you and some small help to the independent bookstores of New England struggling to compete in the age of the super box-store and digital online bookstore world. Make a day of it and make a statement.

Can New England Booksellers Defeat the Trend in Closings?

2009-01-02T09:26:00.001-05:00

Lately, it seems every few weeks, I come across articles on the internet from various newspapers around the country about another independent bookstore closing. Once in a while a chain-store shop closes, but more often than not, it’s an independent. The story always has similar threads. The owner of many years has seen a steady decline in sales without hope of reversing the trend. Frequently, there is no one else in the family interested in continuing the business. Attempts to sell have failed and the final decision is to close.

Some of the authors of these articles have commented on the influence of internet-based shopping, such as Amazon.com, the influx of chain-based bookstores, such as Borders and the perceived overall decline in reading as contributors to the onslaught of independent bookstore closings. It probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that this trend away from independent store owners has hit the bookseller just as much as neighborhood groceries, local sandwich shops, local pharmacies and other owner-operated enterprises. It’s very difficult in the modern age to compete with the efficiencies of the chain or box store. Look what Home Depot and Lowe’s did to the local lumber yard.

Are Things Different in New England?
But, in New England, I have detected an extra heartiness among the independent booksellers. The rural New England bookstore has managed to succeed into the new age without compromising too much of its rural charm. The successful and appealing local booksellers are the ones that merge the online sale of books with the brick and mortar attractions. Where necessary, the local, rural New England bookstore offers the CD’s, the café, the wi-fi and other modern accoutrements that allow them to compete with the chain and box versions of the old-fashioned, rural, neighborhood bookstore; all this without sacrificing the sometimes esoteric, charming, personal touch many of us enjoy at the local, rural New England bookshop.
Without any scientific or statistical basis for making any claims, I would offer one observer’s opinion that the Toadstool bookstores in Peterborough NH and Milford NH are not likely to become threatened by a box store. They maintain enough rural distance to not be attractive to the chain store, which thrives in the denser population areas. Now, the Toadstool bookstore in Keene NH faces the challenge of a box store already in place. But, the community is certainly large enough and vibrant enough to support these two stores, plus a few others that co-exist in Keene. So, what are the prospects for closings? I see them as unlikely in the near future. The strength of these independents rests in their location, their commitment to stocking what the community is looking for, their creativity in inventory and presentation, all of which, keep the customers coming back.

Cherish Rural Bookstores While We Still Have Them
While we have them, the local, rural New England bookstore is a rare treat. It’s a place to satisfy the need to hold a book in your hand, surprise yourself with a used book at a tremendous bargain, (which you had been meaning to read for years) and a place where you can maintain a bit of community contact, not otherwise likely to happen at Mr. Big Box.

In its January 9, 2008 edition, in its Travel section, USA Today selected nine bookstores across the country that it considered worthy as a tourists destination. Not just a place to visit while doing something else – but, as a reason to get on a plane, train or automobile and seek out the designated bookseller. They asked the question, “When is a bookstore worth a tourist’s time”? Their answer was “When it’s more than just a place where you can buy books.”

By that definition, to be a destination for a tourist or anyone interested in more than just grabbing the latest best-seller, the “destination” bookstore must offer something not available at a cookie-cutter chain-store or just a click-away on the internet (free shipping included). It must offer the tactile, aromatic, convivial something only available at your neighborhood, rural, locally-owned independent bookstore. For each of us, it’s something different and probably not well defined. But, as the famous Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said about pornography, “I know it when I see it.”

For me, that’s what keeps the successful independent bookstore operating during these highly competitive times for small retailers. It’s the reason why I believe that the New England bookstore will defeat the trend in closings suffered recently by independent booksellers.

By the way, as it turns out, the USA Today article did not include any booksellers in New England. Well, for my sake, that’s not a bad thing. Why? Well, because it leaves my book, A Vacationer’s Guide to Rural New England Bookstores, your single best source to find an excellent “destination bookstore,” in New England. (Just a brief commercial message; sorry.)