This coming Saturday, April 30, is Independent Bookstore Day. That means that small bookstores across the region are anticipating support from regular customers, as well as those who may have slipped through the cracks over the years. With the advent of internet shopping, and sites like Amazon setting out to capture more and more of the market, it’s more important than ever to support the independent sellers.
“We’re really excited for our first Independent Bookstore Day,” said Meg Howe, owner, Alice, Ever After Books (in North Buffalo). “Independent Bookstore Day was established in 2013 to promote, celebrate, and highlight the value of the Independent bookstore community. The day has been observed on the last Saturday of April every year since 2013. This year there are around 900 stores across the country participating. [On that day] we will have 4 local authors coming as guest booksellers (Nishant Batsha, Erica Sirotich, Adam Zyglis, and Angel Barber), we will have balloon animals, and story time with cookies from Fairy Cakes (learn more about the event).”
Meg went on to say that other small bookstores such as Talking Leaves and Fitz Books will be participating in the event, which means that there are plenty of options to choose from, across WNY. As a way to support the entire local independent book movement, Meg put together two impromptu interactive maps – Buffalo and WNY Book Trails – featuring all of the united independent bookstores that people can support this Saturday (and throughout the year). She has also retained the services of a local artist to create a special illustrated version of the Buffalo map version that will be available soon.
More likely than not, each of the shops will have something special in store this Saturday, whether it’s free coffee and tea at Fitz (from Golden Cup, Tipico, or Undergrounds), the ongoing expansion fundraising efforts at Burning Books, the celebrated revival of WestSide Stories, an exclusive Indie Bookstores coffee mug for sale at Talking Leaves, or even an opportunity to own and operate your own bookstore, there is no better time to support these small businesses – one way or another – that are the literary lifeblood of our city.