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Eight Cousins runs pledge of "Community Involvement" in Local Newspaper; SFGate Blogger interviews Bookseller Christin Evans; Green Apple Books uses Google and Groupon

Eight Cousins Runs Pledge of “Community Involvement” in Local Newspaper

Carol Chittenden, owner of Eight Cousins, in Falmouth, Massachusetts, placed an ad in her local paper, the Falmouth Enterprise, to underscore the importance of shopping locally. Following the closing of Falmouth’s only other bookstore, Booksmith, Chittenden wanted to point out “the high level of quality book selection, reader services, and community involvement for which we are already known.”

Eight Cousins pledge to customers:

Notice to Readers

Our valued colleagues at BookSmith have served a wide and varied clientele who will miss them.

As Eight Cousins becomes Falmouth's only bookstore, we pledge

To provide a fresh, sharp selection of adult titles in addition to our renowned children's collection;

To fill orders for any other books in print, usually within 2-5 days;

To monitor needs and trends, and extend our stock accordingly;

To maintain our website, www.eightcousins.com, for convenient ordering at all times;

To collaborate with local groups and organizations to provide author programming, book fairs, book club needs, and literacy support;

To continue the high level of quality book selection, reader services, and community involvement for which we are already known.

Shop Falmouth first: give us a try!

SFGate Blogger Interviews Bookseller Christin Evans

SFGate blogger Pia Chatterjee writes about her love of bookstores, which started when she went to bookfairs as a child in her hometown of Calcutta, when she believed “there could be no joy on earth greater than that of a bookseller.”

In her post, she writes about her love of San Francisco’s Booksmith for its space “that's simultaneously airy and cozy,” and its book launches and events, including online author Q&As. Chatterjee also interviews Booksmith co-owner Christin Evans about what it’s like to be a bookseller in the age of the e-book and about her plans for the bookstore.

“Who knows what the distant future holds, but I can tell you that our immediate focus is on creating a really interesting bookstore to browse and a really intelligent and entertaining events program,” said Evans.

Green Apple Books Uses Google and Groupon

On Monday, GalleyCat interviewed Pete Mulvihill, co-owner of Green Apple Books, San Francisco, California. Mulhivill discussed his store's use of Google and Groupon.

This week, Mulvihill hosted a Technology Petting Zoo at the store, to help customers explore Google eBooksTM on a variety of platforms.

Though he was hesitant to use Groupon because bookstores yield a lower margin than most businesses that use the service, he ultimately concluded that it was worth it.

“The portion of Groupons redeemed was the difference between having a flat May and being up this year,” he told GalleyCat editor Jason Boog. “Booksellers have to think of it as an advertising or promotional cost, rather than a sale to your existing customers”

Click here for more excerpts from the interview.