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The Bookstore of the Future
Yes, they will still be around
Bookstores are Cool
I love bookstores. A lot of people love bookstores. I love hanging around in a bookstore and seeing what is new, what is popular, and what is available. I love seeing the cool games and other non-book stuff they have. I love how most bookstores now have WiFi, a café, and plenty of large cozy chairs to sit in if you want a closer look at a book. Bookstores are very cool, and I like having a good one nearby.
There are more than just superficial reasons to like bookstores. First, they provide instant gratification. If you want a book, you can get it immediately. You can hold it in your hand and walk out of the store with it.
Another nice feature is the ability to browse — you can wander around, look around, and perhaps find a title that you didn’t know you wanted. In addition, the ambiance of a good bookstore is appealing and valuable. The addition of café’s, music, and other products have also made bookstores much more appealing. Clearly there is demand in the marketplace for bookstores, since whenever I go to one, there are always people there.
Bookstores are in Trouble
But bookstores clearly are struggling. Big player Borders went out of business (Anyone else notice where…