I have frequented this store a number of times, and I provided feedback but I don't see a lot of changes in the right direction. It's your business, you can operate as you choose, but I don't feel there are enough books regarding topics that can help people in real life. The ratio is about 1:99 with useful books versus not helpful.
I recently ordered a book through them to support the community and to see how it worked. I paid $34 for a book, The Real Anthony Fauci by RFK Jr., that was $21 on Amazon, and while I try to avoid using Amazon, I think at times it can be the better option. They explained that Amazon gets their books at bulk prices, but I don't see why it would be 58% more here. It is listed at $32.50 on the cover though, so I do believe that's what they paid for it. Unfortunately, although I try to support small businesses over Amazon, it is increasingly more difficult to do so when every local business doesn't provide any incentives for shopping with them.
I forgot to mention that they didn't call me when it came in, I had to call them to check on the status.
I also tried to mention how it's a really great book, with a ton of sources in it so you can do your own research rather than depending on others to, and I was flat-out ignored. No response. Thinking for yourself is not a value of the staff it seems.
What disturbed me during my most recent visit though, was the stickers next to the register, close in reach and view to children, which says "be gay, do crimes," next to all the pronoun stickers. Do what you want in your free time, but that is not a great message to send to the youth of the community. It could be placed higher so it's not directly in view of children and more visible to adults at a higher stature. There are other messages nearby that I agree with, such as "no one is free when others are oppressed," or "NO is a complete sentence," but the communist and slightly socialist agenda dripping all over this store is nauseating and suffocating if you're paying attention.
They have a lot of fluff in here (now I'm sounding old). Their business section is increasingly worse than the last time I wrote, and has been taken over by crystals, magic and pronouns books. Their section on math and science is difficult to find, and only 1-3 shelves compared to the entire store. They do have a decent selection on race & social justice books, but it seems they focus on fiction & novels more than anything else.
I think it's an okay shop for here and there, or for gifts, bookmarks and cards, but it's not a place I would frequent regularly as feedback is clearly unappreciated, unrecognized, and ignored here. Judge a book by the pretty cover, seems to be their motto. I like some of the notebooks & journals, and different bookmarks and accessories. But I have spent over $150 on different journals (they range between $20-25+) and while they are beautiful, I asked if they had any deals on the journals to which the response, of course, was no. It's a shame because they have a lot of potential!
Bookstores are for teaching and providing access to information that will help children and adults in the years and generations to come. I don't think that is the main message of this store, and I have had a lot of hope for them. Better luck at the library (Beverly or Boston) or bookstores in Cambridge even, for books that will actually provide valuable information.
I'd love to see a bigger business section, and more math and science books, and topics that are realistically helpful: finance, cryptocurrency, computer programming, artificial intelligence, and the like, rather than stories about unicorns and vampires, or whatever the current fiction trend is. They'd also do really well to offer some sales or deals on certain items, especially accessories or journals, or maybe a rewards program. That is, if feedback is valued here. read more