Michael again, and I wanted to share a news story about my neck the woods that caught my eye: In August, partners Lexi Beach and Connie Rourke will open a true brick-and-mortar bookstore in Astoria—a first in two years. And I’m particularly excited because this bookstore will be just a short walk from my apartment.

Now, the usual prophets of doom may naysay the opening of a new bookstore (Especially the naysayers in my neighborhood, who grumble at anything that isn’t a new brunch spot). Granted, the prophets of doom aren’t completely off base (Though there are plenty of brunch spots already). After all, 1000 bookstore went out of business in 2000-2007. But I don’t believe it’s all strum und drang. The closures may have put a Darwinian effect on the indie bookshops and stabilized their numbers, which are now at a 10 percent market share (compared to Barnes & Noble’s 20 percent and Amazon’s 27).

So how will Beach and Rourke ensure they rise above that Darwinian tide? I think a customer goes into a small bookshop looking for a comfortable and more personal feel than a large chain or ebook retailer—I know that’s why I do. Plus independent bookstores can tap into the buy-local movement and stock indie books more easily than larger chain stores. Simply put, a small indie bookstore means community spirit. So that’s what Beach and Rourke are fostering. From their website (emphasis mine):

As the Astoria Bookshop gets closer to opening, we’ll start posting events to the calendar on our website.  Our goal is to host events for every kind of reader out there — book clubs, writers’ groups, author signings, children’s story hours, tastings of sample recipes from cookbooks, even table readings.  To us, events are one of the most important aspects of our business — we’re designing the Astoria Bookshop to be a space for the community to gather and interact.

This is all to say that I know where a huge portion of my paycheck will be going come mid-August. Lexi and Connie, I’ll see you at your bookshop. And then I’ll go get brunch somewhere… but where?