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THERE WERE NO signs last Tuesday afternoon that Books Inc. in Alameda is facing financial trouble.
A few people browsed, a worker replaced books on shelves, and it was quiet, save for some classic rock and muffled laughter from the back.
The downtown space is bright, well-organized and smells … well, like a bookstore.
The small Bay Area chain — the oldest independent bookstore company in the Bay Area at 174 years — announced in January it filed for bankruptcy. As a result, its Berkeley store is closing and the company is reorganizing how it runs its other 10 stores.
The announcement isn’t shocking. For about 30 years, bookstores have battled the Internet, Amazon’s retail invasion, and the invention of the Kindle among book lovers. Then there’s competition with video games, cellphones, TikTok, and other handheld tech for time among younger potential readers.
The Alameda store opened about 20 years ago, said store manager Brad Bryant. He said it’s the only store for new books on the island and the store sees that as a responsibility.
“Our customers are really loyal and really appreciative of us being here,” Bryant said.
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“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 said. “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 support
Jerry Thompson is the store’s events coordinator. He said the store’s location and community involvement is what keeps it going.
“We represent everyone who walks around,” Thompson said. “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 said.
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Like libraries, bookstores have had to evolve to keep up with technology. Storytimes, book clubs, writing groups, author appearances, fundraisers for local schools, trivia nights, music are all part of the fabric of Books Inc.
Thompson said event turnout is great, especially for those involving children.
“Something is going on every day. It’s like a stroller parking lot back here in the kids’ section,” he said. “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 said, meaning home and either work or school are places 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 events coordinator
“That’s been our mission, to make this that third place again,” said Thompson, who is sometimes referred to as Uncle Jerry by younger return customers. He said he’s been there long enough to watch some children grow 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 said.
Local books and local history
Books Inc. is very much part of Alameda, from what Thompson called a “magical” section of local-oriented books to the historical artwork of Alameda in years past, high on the walls.
“We talked about our location here on Park Street; You get a good mixture of, you know, age groups and demographics,” Bryant said. “It feels really like a cultural center in, in a way, for Alameda. It’s a good place to spend time.”
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Jennifer Reilly of Walnut Creek said she drives to Alameda at least a couple times a year just to go to the store.
“I like to support the small businesses. I love it,” Reilly said, browsing the front window display. “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 said. “That’s why I like it.” Books Inc. is at 1344 Park St. in Alameda. To find out more, visit the store’s website.
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