"This ebook thing is not going to last." (UPDATED: HP Touchpad bites the dust)

[QuantumIguana]

I don't know anything about these independent bookstores making money hand over fist. I haven't audited the local independent bookstores and music stores, so I don't know their financial details, but they don't seem any different than any other business. They continue to employ people and continue to stay open, do they must be doing ok. Most people would call that thriving.

[Ann in Arlington]

There was an article in yesterday's Washington Post about local independent bookstores and the cool things they're doing to stay in business.  They profiled several who are doing quite well by having local authors in for signings, hosting well publicized readings and book clubs, and other stuff. 

[mooshie78]

I don't know anything about these independent bookstores making money hand over fist. I haven't audited the local independent bookstores and music stores, so I don't know their financial details, but they don't seem any different than any other business. They continue to employ people and continue to stay open, do they must be doing ok. Most people would call that thriving.

Just depends on your standard of living I guess.  Most small business owners are upper lower class to lower middle class and barely getting buy each month.  I don't call that thriving, that's just surviving (for both the store and the owner).

The ones that are thriving are the ones that area always busy, not the ones that just sell a few books a day to fans of a certain niche.  The ones doing very well financially are the ones that always have people in them spending money on books, coffee etc.  That's all I'm saying by "thriving."

[QuantumIguana]

Again, neither of us has audited their books. The important thing isn't how much money they make, but the existence of the stores. If bookstores are still in business that's all that really matters to anyone besides a owner of a bookstore. The stores that I am describing are doing pretty well, the owners aren't just barely surviving.

[BarbraAnnino]

::shrug:: Heck, my life isn't going to last. But I'll enjoy it while I can.

Love this response!