A Black Day for Mystery Lovers

It was a black day when I got a letter beginning, "With mixed emotions we will be closing The Black Orchid Bookshop this September for both personal and business reasons."

My emotions weren’t mixed at all. I felt only one – sadness. Losing Black Orchid is like a death in the family.

Bonnie Claeson and Joe Guglielmelli’s bookshop at 303 East 81^st Street looked exactly the way a mystery bookshop should: a narrow store so crammed with books I could barely turn around in it. It carried work by new authors, established writers, and a wonderful selection of backlist books.

You never forget your first. Bonnie and Joe gave me my first New York signing. I met them at a conference when my first mystery, "Backstab," came out. Bonnie said, "You have to come sign at our store. We like your books."

At most bookstores, a beginning author is about as welcome as a cockroach in the kitchen. But these booksellers were actually inviting a new author to sign at their store.

Through the years, Bonnie remained a real supporter. She was one bookseller who got an advance reading copy of all my books, and I waited for her verdict. What Bonnie said mattered.

Bonnie and Joe have introduced me to new authors, and helped me appreciate established ones. I never heard them say, "I don’t read cozies," or "I don’t like books by women" or any of those other statements that wipe out a whole subgenre without taking the time to investigate an individual author. They read the books they recommended. If you were down on your luck, or between publishers, Bonnie and Joe were just as friendly as if you were a bestseller.

I’m sad that they’re leaving the book-selling business, but I understand. I was a bookseller for a year, and it was hard physical labor. By the end of an eight-hour day, my feet hurt, my back hurt, and I didn’t want to answer one more question.

I understand, but I’ll still miss them. I’ll also miss their parties. Bonnie and Joe threw some of the best Edgar Week signing parties in the mystery world. The long, narrow store was as packed as a subway car at rush hour, and the crowd spilled out on the stoop and along the sidewalk. It was the best place to catch up on fellow authors, to meet friends and go on to dinner.

Bonnie and Joe gave a lot of new authors their start in New York, and that’s why some of the biggest names in the mystery world returned, year after year.

This is their thirteenth year, and for those of us who love mysteries, it’s an unlucky number.

If you have a favorite mystery book shop, please support it. Even if you don’t live in the same city, you can order books from it by mail.

What can you do for Bonnie and Joe?

If you’re in New York City on August 16, turn up at their thirteenth anniversary party at six p.m. If you can’t make the party, write them a note and let them know how much they meant.

By Elaine Viets

Comments

[Cinema Dave]

It is a sad day to watch another independent close down. As much as I enjoy the variety of the big superbookstores, I enjoy the entrepreneurship of those Mom & Pop stores.

The one near Venetian Plaza closed down recently. Every two years there was a new owner, some good, some paranoid and two that was pure crazy.

Still, as a kid relocating from New York, this one bookstore received a regular supply of comic books and Famous Monsters of Filmland, so that store got me through adolescence.

I do not think these indepenednet bookstores will go extinct, but what could one do to market these stores better?

[Harley]

Same story, Elaine -- Bonnie and Joe gave me MY first. I still remember the bowl of chocolates sitting at my elbow, and me practically weeping with each new (old) face that walked through the door. Okay, I guess it was the legs that walked through the door, not the faces, but you get the picture. Yeah, you never forget the first.

Bonne and Joe, we'll miss you. it's the end of an era.

[William Simon]

I am so sorry to hear this. The days of the independents are fading away. Sadly, Dave, it's not just a matter of marketing, it's client base and walk-ins. When "my" store, Cypress Book Company, was open, more than once I overheard someone tell the manager or owner "It's listed on Amazon for half this. Sell it to me for their price and I'll buy it." Economic realities being what they are, independents just cannot offer the deep discounts expected these days.

[Maryann]

Our 'indie' bookstore has made itself into a Barnes & Noble clone, from the size to the exterior decor, so I'm not sure it's in any danger of closing. It also relocated from Champaign to one of the bedroom communities, which alienated quite a few local customers. I used to shop there when it was a small store and enjoyed it. Now it's no different than the biggies. (And I work at B&N as you know. We've heard we give better customer service...)
Anyway, my favorite indie bookstore is Murder By The Book in Portland, Oregon. The owners are fantastic, and they too have a tiny store crammed full of old authors, new authors, regional authors, you name it, and they can find almost anything, including some out of print mass market. Ask for a recommendation and they ask just what appeals to you. One of the owners even told me that when I get published (and she said 'when', not me) I had to sign there. What encouragement! I don't know how you market that...and that's a shame. From what I understand, indies work on a narrow profit margin since they don't order in mega-quantities. That means no matching the 40%off from Borders or your local Sams Club.
Even with book clubs, the discounts don't compare. Solutions? The customer service and customer familiarity is already there. Maybe more word of mouth and community involvement('write a mystery' contest at the local schools)...and a good ad in the paper whenever an author is signing. Sponsor a radio show...PBS or NPR?

[Cheryl]

For all my complaints about St. Louis, we are so lucky to have not one, but 2 independent book stores in our neighborhood.

I directed my step-father, a mystery lover to Big Sleep Books (www.bigsleepbooks.com)and he came back with that dazed, happy look that we all get with a pile of good books. He was in awe that the owner could recommend so many great books that fit his tastes. Sadly enough, he's the kind of person that would never realize that because the store was independent, the owner could do that. The post has inspired me to get their email address to him, so maybe he'll patronize the store long distance.

For kids birthdays, we always go to Left Bank Books (www.left-bank.com). My friend from Egypt almost wept when we found a book featuring her favorite childhood stories. Or a mom from Japan that was floored that the store had a book by a Japanese children's author that had not yet been published in Japan.

I've named names, in case anyone is looking for an independent.

[Elaine Viets]

Thanks, Cheryl. I'm from St. Louis and I'm familiar with both stores. I hope your advice will help save other good bookstores.
What else can we do besides buy books from good stores? Promote them on our Websites, remind our friends they exist, and hope that keeps the good ones alive.
Elaine

[Sue]

Advertising...something I'm sure an independent has little money for....is desperately needed. Until last week, I wasn't even aware that there was an independent my area. Had I not been looking at the links on the Tarts' individual sites (God bless you, ladies), I'd still not know. I'd much rather support an independent than a chain - whether they sell books, clothes, knick-knacks, food, or whatever. Mom and pop with their own business is what this country is based on - not some freakin' conglomerate with locations all over the world.

You can be sure that within the next few weeks, I'm headed to I Love A Mystery in Mission, Kansas http://www.iloveamystery.com/, and I'm going to be telling everyone I know to go there instead of to those other two overblown places in town.

[Rebecca the Bookseller]

This breaks my heart.

Please, please, PLEASE, follow Elaine's advice and support your local independent bookstore. So many authors would never have been given a chance by the big impersonal bookstores. If you don't have your own, please order and buy your books from ours: Mystery Lovers Bookshop, www.mysterylovers.com , right here in Pittsburgh.

[Rita Scott]

Thanks Elaine. Instead of going to Borders in Fairview Hgts, now that I'm in the boonies, closer to Highland, I'll go to the store there where you did signings! (gotta learn those 2 lane backroads! Yee Haw!)

[Elaine Viets]

Drive carefully, Rita. I don't want to lose any readers.
Elaine

[Debby]

My local indie is Chester County Book & Music Company in West Chester, Pa.

http://www.ccbmc.com/

I remember when they opened, and how much fun I had walking across the highway to spend hours rooting through piles and piles of books. They always seem to have whatever I was looking for.

And then they started having book signings. My first was for Nora Roberts, and I swear that there were fewer than 50 people there...but that was years ago.

I still attend frequent signings there, as well as stopping going to or coming from my Red Cross monthly donation. And often receive recommendations from Joe Drabyak. Often, if he sees me coming, he will duck and run as I am often inquiring as to favorite authors and when will they be visiting, but other times he is there with a debut book that he wants me to read.

I love my independent, and make purchases there whenever possible. I never attend a signing bringing an outside book unless I am purchasing more while there. And I always try to bring the staff brownies nowadays to show my respect for them (okay, and they are good bribes, too!).

Hmmm, just checked their calendar...all is quiet...darn it!

[michele martinez]

I am so saddened by this news!

Bonnie and Joe have been my neighborhood booksellers and good friends for years. Before my first book came out, I visited their store (a few blocks from my old apartment!) and was thrilled and astonished to learn that they already knew who I was. They were welcoming and delightful. They happily agreed to host my very first launch party, and welcomed me with every book after that. I went to events at their store all the time. I'd bring my kids, and Bonnie would delight them with the cool spiral staircase and the scary artifacts downstairs. I just can't imagine the book world without this store. It is a huge loss.

But Bonnie and Joe, we applaud you for all the great years, and for soldiering on for so long in the face of the difficulties of running an indie in this climate. We hope we'll be seeing you at book events for many years to come.

XOXO --Michele

[Pam aka SisterZip]

I was the assistant buyer for an independant bookstore in Clayton (suburb of St. Louis) for 4 years in the early to mid 90s. He moved from a small, hole in the wall store to 2 floors and a huge title base to try to keep up with the chains that were just starting to come into the St. Louis area. And it worked. We had wonderful author signings: Stephen King's Insomnia tour to name one. The owner took great pains to make sure we were not like one of the chains...50k of one title, but none of something a bit off the beaten path.

But what can you do when one of the chains offers you an 8 figure some to basically retire and not work so hard? I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing.

[Elaine Viets]

Debby! If all booklovers treated their independents the way you do, we might have more.
Michele and Harley, you both know what I'm talking about with Bonnie and Joe. We'll mourn together.
Elaine

[Tom]

Cheryl, I'm very glad to know Big Sleep Books is still in business. I thought otherwise, and am glad to know of my mistake.

But I'm deeply taken aback to realize that even Left Bank Books in St. Louis is a member of an endangered species.

The earth does move under our feet, from time to time.

Pam, I knew your former bookstore boss. For a time, I dated one of the store's managers. Another former manager is my wife's best friend. That owner was rough, tough and difficult - but he made a profit and surely did have a loyal clientele (because the excellent staff kept him away from the customers, I think).

In light of all this, I'd be buying from him today.

[Cinema Dave]

Sadly William, I have to agree with you.
Low prices does stomp the best marketing.

Liberties Bookstore in Mizner Plaza in Boca Raton hosted John Grisham in 1993. Vald used to host great cultural events and we met some terrific authors and musicians.
Liberties went the way of the dodo in 2002.

[ramona]

Debby is correct, the Chester County Books and Music store is the best. The one thing wrong with it is that it is too far away from my house. I met Sarah Strohmeyer there, so it has good karma now.

Here's another indie plug, for those interested in children's books: Books, Bytes and Beyond in Glen Rock, NJ. The owners' son is an editor at Simon & Schuster, and a really cool guy. (Hi, Jordan!)

[Becki]

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/anaheim/article_1750053.php

We can mourn together. My bestest used bookstore in the entire world is closing after 27 years. This bookstore has been a joy and a refuge for me for 26 of those years - since summer 1 of my marriage.

We are losing our identities in so many area to big box stores and bookstores.

I miss the idea of the Black Orchid and I will terribly miss The Book Baron.

[Katherine C.]

I have a couple of indipendent book stores I go to here in Columbia, MO: Nancy's Trade-A-Book (although I don't go as often as I once did) and Village Books. So far as I know, Nancy's still does pretty well, it's actually an extension of the original in Jeff City. Village Books I love, and found by accident. The owners — one of whom is a former Nancy's employee — are always able to make good recommendations based on your former picks, and if they don't have something you want, they can order it for you. They run a couple of monthly book clubs as well as a writing group, and they try to push local and area authors. I always feel at home when I'm there — no matter how bad the day was, it can be improved by a visit to the Village (new Web site: villagebooks.org/live/portal.php).
I also used to go to the Acorn downtown a lot. When I was in school at Mizzou I often bought and sold textbooks there rather than the school store. I almost cried when I drove by a couple weeks ago and saw they were closing. I still need to try to get in for one last visit before they're gone — tomorrow if I can remember.
Hope Bonnie and Joe know how much they and their store are so obviously loved, and I've got to reiterate: share that love with your local indie.

[Elaine Viets]

Becki, my condolences on your loss.
elaine

[Tom]

Becki, that's awful - The Book Baron, too? They were really nice.

The proprietor at Altair 4 Used Books in Orange gave me a brochure recently, listing all the used book merchants in OC. I'll try to find it and post some options.

Meanwhile, come up to Long Beach. Acres Of Books is still here.

[SisterZip aka Pam]

Tom,

Yes, he was a VERY difficult boss. Exacting, hard, but knew what the hell he was doing. He knew what to get. Between he & his wife, they knew what to buy. They had one of the best children's sections ever. I found two books I remembered from childhood, only by the cover picture, there and was thrilled.

There was a saying among the employees...It isn't Christmas until he makes someone cry. Sad to say, I was the one my second Christmas there. LOL!!

But I miss that job more than I can say.

[Jennifer]

Dare I say it but has anyone ever been to Powells in Portland? Not a typical big box, not as quaint as a specialized mystery bookstore but still not publically held and you can actually get a good used book there! Yes they have expanded in square footage beyond my wildest dreams but with the tall racks and wide choice its nice to get lost in the mystery section and feel like its a bookstore within a bookstore.

[Becki]

Tom!

I heard that Acres of Books is closing as well due to redelopment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully you will continue to read this thread and can fill me in.

[Tom]

Becki, sorry to be late - I haven't heard that Acres is in danger. I think it would have made the news, but other blocks in the area are being scraped off level and built up tall. I'll check and get back to you.