Spotlight on Local Booksellers

Sarah L
3626 days ago.

Book Stack Nationwide bookstores are closing in droves. The rise of internet sales and e-books has brutalized large chains and local shops alike. After all, national chain Borders closed its doors in 2011 due in large part to its delayed entrance into the e-reader game; Amazon and Barnes and Noble got the jump on that market. But for small businesses, there is no Kindle or Nook saving the day. St. Louis lost a handful of local bookstores in 2013, including the notable A-1 Book Exchange and Cherokee Street’s The Archive, and the remaining stores don’t reap a huge profit.

The one ray of hope for small booksellers is that 2013 was also the year that e-book sales seemed to “level off.”  So in an effort to wean STL from the immediate gratification of e-book downloads and two-day Amazon Prime shipping, here is a list of some of the best local booksellers. Sure, it may take a week to get your special order, but these stores have imaginative children’s sections and host awesome events. Furthermore, all local stores that buy and sell used books are keeping those items from landfills and selling them to you at a great price.

Left Bank Books, 399 North Euclid and 321 North 10th

Left Bank Books opened in 1969 with it’s flagship location on Euclid Ave in the CWE. Left Bank has hosted guests like Deepak Chopra, David Sedaris, Amy Goodman, and most recently Chelsea Handler, and they always have a full calendar of events. To say their staff is knowledgeable is an understatement—just check out their application here for proof. Left Bank also has a customer loyalty program that will make shopping a little easier on your pocketbook, and they give back to the community through the Left Bank Books Foundation. Still don’t want to leave your couch? Don’t worry, they offer 99-cent shipping.

The Book House's former location in Rock Hill.
The Book House’s former location in Rock Hill.

Book House, 7352 Manchester Rd.

The Book House first opened its doors in 1986, in a Victorian home in Rock Hill. Unfortunately, that home was demolished, but the Book House recently reopened in downtown Maplewood where it should see a bright future. The children’s section is in a bright room near the entrance, and the new and used selections span two floors. The space is a little tight upstairs, but only because they have a selection of over 350,000 new, used, and rare books. Still, there was room for a recent book signing and discussion of Why We Fought, and their calendar of events is growing with events like the World Book Night Launch Party this Friday, April 18th.

Star Clipper, 6392 Delmar Boulevard

Comic books and graphic novels are books too, so that’s why I’m including Star Clipper on the Delmar Loop. Star Clipper opened in 1988 and calls itself “St. Louis’ Premier Pop Culture Shop.”  I find it difficult to argue with that description. The retailer sells everything from foreign candies to consigned art exhibited in the store, and of course, comic books and graphic novels. One of their biggest events of the year is coming up on May 3rd—Free Comic Book Day, a national event that Star Clipper excels in. Get there early for the best selection of free comic books, but stay for the festivities.

Of course, this list is not at all exhaustive and honorable mentions include the Loop’s Subterranean Books, CWE’s mystery book shop Big Sleep Books, Kirkwood’s new STL Books and Gifts, and St. Charles’ Main Street Books.  The St. Louis Independent Bookstore Alliance can help you find even more options. 

Have a favorite not mentioned here? Tell us why you love it in the comments.

 
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