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Dear Reader,
Forgive me for not sending an email for a couple of weeks. It's not that I don't want to be in touch, far from it.
Laurel Book Store is at a crossroads. 2012 was very difficult for us and 2013 is starting out the same. I was concerned a year ago when Lucky's was replaced that there may be a change in the business traffic on the boulevard, and it's true for us. For more than ten years our business increased each year until then.
Our walk-in traffic has decreased, even on Saturdays. There simply aren't as many people on the boulevard as there once were. We have worked with schools who are now feeling the pinch and having fewer fundraisers and buying fewer books. Despite our ability to sell ebooks in a really easy fashion through Kobo, we still lose sales to other online concerns. And despite the news that the economy has begun a rebound, many of our customers still have reduced circumstances. We're now running to catch up rather than staying ahead.
What are our options?
Well, I can close. If we determine that the neighborhood simply can't support a bookstore, then that's that. I have a hard time believing it, but the proof will be in the numbers.
We can move. A somewhat larger store would make events easier and merchandising and shopping more attractive. I am looking into other locations and ways to fund that.
We can do what we can to increase business here. We're already doing what we can to trim our operation, including closing Sundays when sales have been very slow. We're deciding what sections may need to be reduced and which we need to beef up. We've added the used book section. We're looking at new marketing methods and new sidelines, but much of that won't matter if we don't increase our customer base.
I need your help now.
Those of you reading this comprise our fabulous base, and many of you have asked what you can do. Tell your neighbors about the store. Encourage them to come and browse. We've been here 11 years and still talk to people who have never come in. Many people order books online, or read on their device. We have a great website to order from, and the ability to sell ebooks. Many more than are even in print form! We have thousands of people who have given us contact info over the years, and if just half came in for a book a month, we'd double our sales.
This is the time that something will have to change. I feel strongly that every neighborhood should have a book store and I love being in my own neighborhood. And I also need to heed the changes happening around me. If you have ideas for what might help, please share.
I can't thank you enough for your continued support and hope that you'll stay tuned for what might be ahead. I'm not ready to throw in the towel, but the last round has landed a lot of punches and we need a little help in our corner.
As always, Happy Reading,
Luan
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