Around Indies

Four-Eyed Frog Video Responds to Local Bookstore Closing

Four-Eyed Frog Books in Gualala, California, has produced a heartwarming, meaningful video in response to the closing of Bookends in Sonoma. Four-Eyed Frog co-owners Joel and Jeremy Crockett art directed Froggy’s Choice, a three-minute YouTube video that asks whether customers care more for Amazon or their own community bookstore.

The Sonoma Press Democrat said that the video, which was made with the help of a local high school student, will “do your heart good.”

McNally Jackson Owner Featured in New York Times

Sarah McNally, the owner of McNally Jackson in New York City, is featured in the New York Times Thursday Fashion & Style section, which noted that McNally has “a limitless supply of small tricks up her sleeve. And a whirring, wheezing behemoth at her side,” to ensure that the Wi-Fi-free store on Prince Street thrives.

The “behemoth” is an Espresso Book Machine. “The only one in New York City,” said the Times, which noted that it can download, bind, and trim books in minutes. McNally likened a book hot off the EBM to still-warm “cookies fresh out of the oven.” In addition to printing from a cloud library of seven million titles, the store also uses the machine to print almost 700 self-published works a month, and offers “white glove” services for editing and jacket design, said the Times.

Vermont Bookstores Discuss Changing Business Models

Three Vermont bookstores were featured on Vermont Public Radio, where they discussed their strategies for remaining relevant in the digital age.

Northshire Bookstore owner Chris Morrow spoke about his store’s Espresso Book Machine, which he said prints about 400 books per year. Penny McConnel of The Norwich Bookstore discussed the importance of a local connection and interactions with customers, and Claire Benedict of Bear Pond Books said that it’s important to have innovative marketing that emphasizes the local aspect of their businesses.

Listen to the full story here.