“We feel a bond with other
indies…Heck, Amazon has even made Barnes & Noble seem like a relative—what
dark magic does that? We are pleased to celebrate shared DNA with our sibling
stores.”— John Marshall co-owner of Seattle’s Open Books on Independent
Bookstore Day
Independent Bookstore Day Is an
Opportunity for Us to Thank You.
In the recent wave of shop local
movements, it can be easy to feel lost in the stream of independent businesses
frantically waving their arms for attention. Working at (or owning) an
independently owned business comes with a whole bushel of stresses that are far
too familiar to most of us in this shaky economy. So what makes this Saturday,
National Independent Bookstore Day, any different from the myriad of indie
campaigns sweeping the nation?
Well, this one belongs to you.
Instead of looking at Saturday as a way to drive more business, let’s think
about it as a party in honor of Jackson, MS; a shindig to thank our patrons of
40 years. Without all of you there would be no independent bookstore to
celebrate, no haven for weary college students, no well-trod path for the kids
running from the front desk to the children’s room, no $1 beer or chatting with
visiting authors. We at Lemuria are so grateful that you’ve let us into your
lives, and want you to know how much you have touched our lives as well.
By being friends of the
bookstore and not just nameless customers, you have pulled us into the Jackson
community and made us more than a business; you’ve made us family. To thank you
for that tremendous honor, we’ve got a pretty awesome Saturday planned to
officially celebrate National Independent Bookstore Day (and the beginning of
our 40th birthday year!).
The first fifty customers will
receive a free tote bag with their purchase, and 5% of all sales throughout the
day will be donated to future Mississippi Book Festivals. “Jackson: Photographs
by Ken Murphy” will be 10% off all day long, and we’ll have coolers full of ice
cold beer for just $1! Come by and chat with some of our special guest
booksellers who will be participating in special Author Challenges between
11:00 and 2:00 (there may or may not be a marshmallow eating contest). We’ll
have a special singing story time at 11:00 with Katie Hathcock and Paul from
Beanfruit Coffee Company will get here at 10:00 to brew up some delicious hot
drinks. Balloons for babies, candy for kids, beer and coffee for grown ups, and
good cheer all ‘round.
You have given us the best jobs
we could have hoped for, and an amazing seat at Jackson’s family table. Thank
you.
