at 2am in Oregon.

 

Last month, an anticipated low-sales period turned into a very low-sales period that threatened to send us into May with a budget shortfall.  We're gratified that so many of you took advantage of our special offers and gave us the boost we needed.  We didn't mean to scare you, though.  Some of you e-mailed in a panic, hoping we weren't about to close or something.  No, we are NOT about to close!  A budget shortfall simply means there are things we don't get to do and books we don't get to buy.  We wanted to nip that one in the bud so that it didn't breed another shortfall--after all, we can't sell books we don't order.  And with your help, we did it. 

However, we are realists.  We anticipate that similar shortfalls may occur again as the recession continues to drag at pocketbooks and spirits.  And we know that if it's happening to us, it's happening to other independent businesses in the area.  We think the answer is not to squeeze more money from our equally strapped regulars. 

We want to reach out to more neighbors who will join with us in shopping local and nurturing community.  We know that people who treasure this neighborhood and its special character are the best evangelists for us and the other businesses that make St. Johns.  We hope you'll urge your friends and neighbors to visit St. Johns' historic heart.  So here's our challenge to you: bring a friend to St. Johns Books!

When you bring a new customer to St. Johns Booksellers between now and June 30th, you will be entered in a drawing to win a pair of $50 gift certificates--one for each of you!  You can enter once for each new friend you bring.  What we hope is that when you visit the bookstore, you'll also saunter around St. Johns and check out the town.  So tell your neighbors, your coworkers, members of your civic organization.  Plan a group trek.  Make a day of it--reacquaint yourself with St. Johns, and support the small businesses that make it a good place to live.

If you'd like some "talking points" (what an awful phrase), here are some resources to share with friends and neighbors:

• Think Local Portland/Sustainable Business Network - a network of locally owned, independent businesses working to raise awareness of the economic issues surrounding local business
• Civic Economics - view the "Andersonville Study", an examination of the local economic impact of dollars spent at independent and chain businesses in a Chicago neighborhood
  
• IndieBound.org - a program of the American Booksellers Association.  Add your favorite independent businesses, become a fan of independents, and learn more about living local economies
  

Have you been wanting to learn to knit or crochet?  Do you need a refresher?  Experienced needlecrafter Stephanie Magee offers a series of 3 beginning knitting classes and 3 beginning crochet classes in the bookstore.  Knitting classes are Wednesdays from May 13th-27th, 1:00-2:30pm.  Crochet classes are Sundays from May 17th-31st, 1:00-2:30pm.   Each series is $40, or drop-ins are welcome at $15 per class.  Materials included.  Enroll in either complete course and receive $5 off your next purchase at St. Johns Booksellers.  To enroll, contact Stephanie.