In this Feb. 6 post, Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse founder Philip Rafshoon looks at the past, present and future of Atlanta's LGBT community following the closing of Midtown's landmark independent gay and lesbian bookstore.
Times are difficult for bookstores in Midtown, and with the closing of Borders, some people wonder if bookstores are on their way out.
The Midtown Borders will stop opening its doors this October. The Atlanta Book Exchange, one of the most beloved used bookstores in Atlanta, sold its last book recently after 35 years. Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse sent out a plea for support in May. To top it off, many people in Midtown say that if they buy books, they buy them online. What does this mean for books and the community? Is this the death knell for bookstores? Or will they find new ways to survive in the age of technology and electronic books? The end of Borders After Borders announced the closing of its remaining stores, readers stood in the chain’s Ponce de Leon store, with tears streaming down their faces, and poured their hearts out to employees. This is the moment …
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Natalia Sylvester
4:21 pm on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
“I love [bookstores] when I'm there, but I always end up buying online,” she said. It's very sad that while many people can appreciate the value of a brick and mortar store, few understand that without the support of its customers, they simply can't stay open. Maybe it comes down to what you want: if we just want books, then fine, purchase online. If you want an experience and a community (and … more ›