Independent Bookstores Thrive by Building Community

Independent bookstores in Chelsea, Dexter, Milan and Saline are proving that readers still crave community as much as books.

When I first opened the bookstore, I thought that simply loving books was a good enough job qualification to run an indie bookstore. That turned out not even remotely to be the case. Instead, the main thing I need to have is an incredible love for community. – Michelle Tuplin, Owner of Chelsea’s Serendipity Books

In this modern-day world of electronic devices and digital readers, local independent (indie) bookstores have each found a way to thrive. Shunning a one-size-fits-all approach, they readily offer a haven for book lovers; a space designed specifically for and by their community.

The Sun Times News visited indie bookstores in Chelsea, Dexter, Milan, and Saline and each owner shared how they combine their love for books with their love for community to create success.

Bookstores Reflect Their Community

Local bookstore owners were asked how their bookstore reflects the community to create success, and here is how each one responded.

Michelle Tuplin at Serendipity Books stipulates, “Bookstores are specific to a community and should reflect community interests. I can go to my publishers and say ‘yeah, books on birds. The community is exploring this particular topic right now.’”

Jen Stevenson at Courageous Books agrees and says “Most people who work here live here. This is important because I feel like if we know the people we know the vibe and what our town is about.”

At Adventure Ink in Milan, Laura Harvey offers an analogy of their community partnership. “We say that a rising tide lifts all boats. We lift and support those around us and hope to create a space that reflects them and feels like home.”

And finally, Bill Gibson speaks to what guides the Fine Print Bookshop in Saline. “We’re driven by our community and always consider our customers when curating new titles. Since we’ve opened, we’ve grown certain sections and culled others to reflect our community’s tastes.”

A Third Space for Community

While bookstores mirror their community, the experience isn’t just about the books on the shelves. Bookstores offer a third space for events like author ads, poetry readings, open mic nights, weekly children’s story times, and writing groups. And naturally, you would also expect to find a book club or two.

In fact, when Serendipity Books first offered book clubs, there was so much interest that they had waiting lists. Tuplin realized, “We needed to offer more. Now we have so many book clubs that cover topics like history, romance, and even banned books.”

At Courageous Books, they are always gauging interest in event offerings. Stevenson notes one time, “A child came in last fall and said, ‘Do you do Dungeons and Dragons?’ We said, ‘No, but we absolutely could.’”

Harvey at Adventure Ink details the bookstore experience by describing book people as a “whole different breed. We want to be surrounded by books, touch the covers, and flip through the pages. It’s why I believe Amazon will never drive us out, they don’t understand book people.”

And at Fine Print Bookshop Gibson says, “We have been working to fill our event card this year and are renovating the front of our store to offer an event space or lounging area when events aren’t happening.”

We Make Sense of the World Through Stories

Finally, while indie bookstores offer a space designed for and by the community, they explore the human connection that a book inspires.

Courageous Bookstore owner Stevenson says “We humans make sense of the world through stories. This bookstore is a place full of stories that can take you away, teach you something new, or provide comfort.”

So go visit your local bookstore and touch the covers, join a book club, and make sense of the world.

Find more information visit your local bookstore website.

Serendipity Books in Chelsea https://serendipity-books.com

Courageous Books in Dexter https://courageousbooks.com

Adventure Ink Books in Milan https://adventureink.xyz

Fine Print Bookshop in Saline https://fineprintbookshop.com

BONUS: Want to find out why Jen Stevenson named her bookstore Courageous Books? 

“The name came from the journey I took to get here. It was a long-time daydream of mine to open a bookstore and finally take that last step without looking back or knowing exactly what would lie ahead. It required a great deal of courage. It’s the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done (aside from being a mom), and if it turns out to be a fantastic failure, at least I’ll never wonder, ten or twenty years from now, ‘What if I had tried that?’”

Featured photo: Dexter’s Courageous Bookstore Owner Jen Stevenson. Photo by Sue Kelch.