THERE WERE NO indicators final Tuesday afternoon that Books Inc. in Alameda is going through monetary hassle.
Just a few folks browsed, a employee changed books on cabinets, and it was quiet, save for some basic rock and muffled laughter from the again.
The downtown house is vibrant, well-organized and smells … effectively, like a bookstore.
The small Bay Space chain — the oldest unbiased bookstore firm within the Bay Space at 174 years — introduced in January it filed for chapter. Because of this, its Berkeley retailer is closing and the corporate is reorganizing the way it runs its different 10 shops.
The announcement isn’t stunning. For about 30 years, bookstores have battled the Web, Amazon’s retail invasion, and the invention of the Kindle amongst e book lovers. Then there’s competitors with video video games, cellphones, TikTok, and different handheld tech for time amongst youthful potential readers.
The Alameda retailer opened about 20 years in the past, stated retailer supervisor Brad Bryant. He stated it’s the one retailer for brand spanking new books on the island and the shop sees that as a accountability.
“Our customers are really loyal and really appreciative of us being here,” Bryant stated.
Books Inc. retailer supervisor Brad Bryant (left) listens as retailer occasions coordinator Jerry Thompson speaks in regards to the Alameda bookstore’s keys to success amid the regional chain’s monetary troubles. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay Metropolis Information)
Contribute to Native Information Issues
“Business here is good. Our customers have really turned up for us after that (bankruptcy) announcement. It’s been nice seeing that support from the community,” he stated. “The best thing that people can do for the company and for their Alameda bookstore right now is to come out and shop and they’ve been doing so. It’s been really great to see.”
A ‘whole family’ of assist
Jerry Thompson is the shop’s occasions coordinator. He stated the shop’s location and group involvement is what retains it going.
“We represent everyone who walks around,” Thompson stated. “Young kids, the grandparents, friends or family visiting town on holidays. It’s the whole family. I used to say when people walk down the street on a Friday night, here’s the barometer of Alameda. (At) like 7:30, 8 o’clock, people are coming out of dinner. You get the grandparents, the parents, you have the kids and they’re walking down Park Street, eating ice cream and giggling together.
“That’s Alameda. And this is what we represent in the store — the whole family,” he stated.
Left: A chair for patrons sits beside an area curiosity finish cap at Books Inc. on Park Road in Alameda on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. Proper: A title by an area writer is highlighted. Books Inc. is a group of independently owned and operated bookstores serving the Bay Space since 1851. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay Metropolis Information)
Like libraries, bookstores have needed to evolve to maintain up with expertise. Storytimes, e book golf equipment, writing teams, writer appearances, fundraisers for native faculties, trivia nights, music are all a part of the material of Books Inc.
Thompson stated occasion turnout is nice, particularly for these involving kids.
“Something is going on every day. It’s like a stroller parking lot back here in the kids’ section,” he stated. “The authors are happy and the kids recognize who’s telling the story and the kids are rolling around on the floor. It’s just what we want.”
“I think bookstores have acted as a ‘third place’ for people for decades now,” Bryant stated, which means house and both work or faculty are locations one and two. “There certainly was a shift, but probably 35 plus years ago.”
“Something is going on every day. … The authors are happy and the kids recognize who’s telling the story and the kids are rolling around on the floor. It’s just what we want.”
Jerry Thompson, Books Inc. Alameda occasions coordinator
“That’s been our mission, to make this that third place again,” stated Thompson, who is typically known as Uncle Jerry by youthful return clients. He stated he’s been there lengthy sufficient to look at some kids develop up.
“The community is that place that you go to that’s not your home or your church or the grocery store. Where you are comfortable,” Thompson stated.
Native books and native historical past
Books Inc. could be very a lot a part of Alameda, from what Thompson referred to as a “magical” part of local-oriented books to the historic paintings of Alameda in years previous, excessive on the partitions.
“We talked about our location here on Park Street; You get a good mixture of, you know, age groups and demographics,” Bryant stated. “It feels really like a cultural center in, in a way, for Alameda. It’s a good place to spend time.”
Lorenzo Sanchez works within the checkout space at Books Inc. on Park Road in Alameda on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. Sanchez has an English diploma from UC Berkeley and has labored on the retailer for round 18 months. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay Metropolis Information)
Jennifer Reilly of Walnut Creek stated she drives to Alameda at the least a pair occasions a 12 months simply to go to the shop.
“I like to support the small businesses. I love it,” Reilly stated, searching the entrance window show. “They have the sections for the holidays. I came here to get my kids books for Valentine’s Day.
“It’s definitely different than Barnes & Noble,” Reilly stated. “That’s why I like it.” Books Inc. is at 1344 Park St. in Alameda. To search out out extra, go to the shop’s web site.
