This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/12/books/bookstores-reopening-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 23 Version 24
For Bookstore Owners, Reopening Holds Promise and Peril For Bookstore Owners, Reopening Holds Promise and Peril
(3 days later)
Last fall, Kyle Hall’s bookstore was destroyed by a tornado. This spring, it was almost wiped out by a pandemic.Last fall, Kyle Hall’s bookstore was destroyed by a tornado. This spring, it was almost wiped out by a pandemic.
For the past two months, ever since Texas ordered nonessential businesses to shut down, Mr. Hall, the manager and co-owner of Interabang Books in Dallas, has taken one unprecedented step after another to keep the store open. In March, Interabang transformed from a brick-and-mortar shop into an online retail business. When the stay-at-home order was lifted at the end of April, it became a curbside takeout operation. Staff members redesigned the storefront display, cramming 100 titles in the window so that customers could browse at a safe distance.For the past two months, ever since Texas ordered nonessential businesses to shut down, Mr. Hall, the manager and co-owner of Interabang Books in Dallas, has taken one unprecedented step after another to keep the store open. In March, Interabang transformed from a brick-and-mortar shop into an online retail business. When the stay-at-home order was lifted at the end of April, it became a curbside takeout operation. Staff members redesigned the storefront display, cramming 100 titles in the window so that customers could browse at a safe distance.
“We called it the bookstore bakery case,” Mr. Hall said. “That was strange, but in a week we got used to it.”“We called it the bookstore bakery case,” Mr. Hall said. “That was strange, but in a week we got used to it.”
Then the state’s orders changed again, and retailers were told they could open at 25 percent their usual capacity. Interabang’s staff reorganized the layout of the 2,000-square-foot space and put markers on the floor to signal how far apart customers should stand. This past weekend, around 150 customers came to shop, most wearing masks.Then the state’s orders changed again, and retailers were told they could open at 25 percent their usual capacity. Interabang’s staff reorganized the layout of the 2,000-square-foot space and put markers on the floor to signal how far apart customers should stand. This past weekend, around 150 customers came to shop, most wearing masks.
“We felt like, if the governor is going to allow businesses like ours to reopen, and doing business was permissible, then we wanted to do it,” Mr. Hall said.“We felt like, if the governor is going to allow businesses like ours to reopen, and doing business was permissible, then we wanted to do it,” Mr. Hall said.
Even as health experts working with the Trump administration warned a Senate panel on Tuesday against reopening the country too quickly, the U.S. retail sector is beginning to get back to business. As some states allow a handful of businesses to reopen and other regions charge ahead full throttle, it is an experiment for bookstore owners and other retailers attempting to strike a balance between staying afloat and keeping workers and customers safe.Even as health experts working with the Trump administration warned a Senate panel on Tuesday against reopening the country too quickly, the U.S. retail sector is beginning to get back to business. As some states allow a handful of businesses to reopen and other regions charge ahead full throttle, it is an experiment for bookstore owners and other retailers attempting to strike a balance between staying afloat and keeping workers and customers safe.
Interabang may be something of an optimistic outlier for now. Elsewhere in Texas,Valerie Koehler, the owner of the Houston bookstore Blue Willow, said she and her staff are unsettled by the prospect of shoppers roaming through the store.Interabang may be something of an optimistic outlier for now. Elsewhere in Texas,Valerie Koehler, the owner of the Houston bookstore Blue Willow, said she and her staff are unsettled by the prospect of shoppers roaming through the store.
“The staff resoundingly said, ‘We are not ready,’” she said.“The staff resoundingly said, ‘We are not ready,’” she said.
Among retail businesses, bookstores, especially smaller independent stores, face particular challenges as they navigate reopening. Many indies occupy cramped spaces with warrens of bookshelves, and serve as community centers and cultural outposts as much as retail operations. Book lovers often come in to linger, browse and chat with the staff about what to read next, all behaviors that in a pandemic are potentially life-threatening.Among retail businesses, bookstores, especially smaller independent stores, face particular challenges as they navigate reopening. Many indies occupy cramped spaces with warrens of bookshelves, and serve as community centers and cultural outposts as much as retail operations. Book lovers often come in to linger, browse and chat with the staff about what to read next, all behaviors that in a pandemic are potentially life-threatening.
Some booksellers are now in the awkward position of having to disappoint eager customers. Malaprop’s in Asheville, N.C., told subscribers to its newsletter that even though the state had cleared bookstores to open, it would remain closed until at least May 19. When it reopens, shoppers will be allowed to visit by appointment only, to limit the number of people in the store, and face coverings will be mandatory.Some booksellers are now in the awkward position of having to disappoint eager customers. Malaprop’s in Asheville, N.C., told subscribers to its newsletter that even though the state had cleared bookstores to open, it would remain closed until at least May 19. When it reopens, shoppers will be allowed to visit by appointment only, to limit the number of people in the store, and face coverings will be mandatory.
In Georgia, where some businesses were allowed to open in late April, Frank Reiss, the owner of A Cappella Books in Atlanta, said his store is sticking with deliveries and curbside orders. “I am not anticipating reopening to the public in quite a while,” he said. “The responsible thing is not to encourage people gathering.”In Georgia, where some businesses were allowed to open in late April, Frank Reiss, the owner of A Cappella Books in Atlanta, said his store is sticking with deliveries and curbside orders. “I am not anticipating reopening to the public in quite a while,” he said. “The responsible thing is not to encourage people gathering.”
Some larger bookstore companies are taking a more bullish approach. Last week, Books-A-Million said it was reopening the majority of its 200 outlets after implementing some safety measures, including masks for employees, acrylic barriers at checkout counters and self-distancing markers in the aisles.Some larger bookstore companies are taking a more bullish approach. Last week, Books-A-Million said it was reopening the majority of its 200 outlets after implementing some safety measures, including masks for employees, acrylic barriers at checkout counters and self-distancing markers in the aisles.
Barnes & Noble has opened 31 of its outlets in 10 states, and by the end of this week it plans to open 20 more stores in five additional states. Another 500 of its stores are doing curbside sales. In stores that are open for browsing, furniture has been removed and signs encouraging social distancing are placed at the entrance and throughout the store. Booksellers will wear masks, and customers will be required to wear masks in places where the state mandates it. Trolleys have been set out with signs instructing customers to leave any books they have touched on the cart, so that the books can be placed in quarantine for five days — long enough for any potential viral particles to die off — then reshelved.Barnes & Noble has opened 31 of its outlets in 10 states, and by the end of this week it plans to open 20 more stores in five additional states. Another 500 of its stores are doing curbside sales. In stores that are open for browsing, furniture has been removed and signs encouraging social distancing are placed at the entrance and throughout the store. Booksellers will wear masks, and customers will be required to wear masks in places where the state mandates it. Trolleys have been set out with signs instructing customers to leave any books they have touched on the cart, so that the books can be placed in quarantine for five days — long enough for any potential viral particles to die off — then reshelved.
James Daunt, the company’s chief executive, said that Barnes & Noble stores, with their more spacious layouts, are well positioned to operate safely.James Daunt, the company’s chief executive, said that Barnes & Noble stores, with their more spacious layouts, are well positioned to operate safely.
“We’re thankful that we sell a product that is pretty easy to manage from a health and safety perspective,” he said. “Sales are dramatically down, but haven’t been eviscerated in quite the way they have been for fashion retailers.”“We’re thankful that we sell a product that is pretty easy to manage from a health and safety perspective,” he said. “Sales are dramatically down, but haven’t been eviscerated in quite the way they have been for fashion retailers.”
But giant retailers that operate warehouses have additional workplace safety issues to contend with. Amazon and Barnes & Noble have had outbreaks of coronavirus in their warehouses, and last month an employee at Barnes & Noble’s New Jersey distribution center died from complications related to coronavirus, a company spokesman confirmed. The company said the distribution center had safety measures in place since early March, such as providing gloves and cloth face masks for employees, reducing the number of staff members in the warehouses, disinfecting work stations and equipment and closing the facility periodically for deep cleaning.But giant retailers that operate warehouses have additional workplace safety issues to contend with. Amazon and Barnes & Noble have had outbreaks of coronavirus in their warehouses, and last month an employee at Barnes & Noble’s New Jersey distribution center died from complications related to coronavirus, a company spokesman confirmed. The company said the distribution center had safety measures in place since early March, such as providing gloves and cloth face masks for employees, reducing the number of staff members in the warehouses, disinfecting work stations and equipment and closing the facility periodically for deep cleaning.
Updated August 12, 2020 Updated August 17, 2020
The pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis struck at a moment when booksellers across the country were thriving. After many smaller retailers were crushed by the rise of Amazon, a shift among consumers toward local shopping helped to drive a resurgence among independent booksellers. The number of independent bookstores across the country rose to 2,524 store locations in 2019, up from 1,651 in 2009, according to the American Booksellers Association’s membership figures.The pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis struck at a moment when booksellers across the country were thriving. After many smaller retailers were crushed by the rise of Amazon, a shift among consumers toward local shopping helped to drive a resurgence among independent booksellers. The number of independent bookstores across the country rose to 2,524 store locations in 2019, up from 1,651 in 2009, according to the American Booksellers Association’s membership figures.
The coronavirus outbreak threatens to wipe out those gains. When stay-at-home orders went into effect, most U.S. bookstores closed. Many had to furlough or lay off their staff.The coronavirus outbreak threatens to wipe out those gains. When stay-at-home orders went into effect, most U.S. bookstores closed. Many had to furlough or lay off their staff.
Even when stores do open, it will be difficult to recover lost revenue. Foot traffic will be down, either because states have limited how many shoppers can enter stores or because customers are concerned about going in. Most bookstores rely on author signings and community events to drive sales, and such gatherings are unlikely to be safe until the pandemic has passed.Even when stores do open, it will be difficult to recover lost revenue. Foot traffic will be down, either because states have limited how many shoppers can enter stores or because customers are concerned about going in. Most bookstores rely on author signings and community events to drive sales, and such gatherings are unlikely to be safe until the pandemic has passed.
“Sales are down across channels, and the cost of business is going up,” said Allison Hill, the chief executive of the American Booksellers Association.“Sales are down across channels, and the cost of business is going up,” said Allison Hill, the chief executive of the American Booksellers Association.
In California, where last Friday the state began allowing bookstores to offer curbside shopping, some booksellers remain wary. The California Independent Booksellers Alliance this week is hosting a virtual town hall for booksellers with a nurse practitioner.In California, where last Friday the state began allowing bookstores to offer curbside shopping, some booksellers remain wary. The California Independent Booksellers Alliance this week is hosting a virtual town hall for booksellers with a nurse practitioner.
“We’re really trying to operate with caution,” Calvin Crosby, the group’s executive director, said. “What is right for the bookstore in this town is not going to be right for the bookstore in the next town.”“We’re really trying to operate with caution,” Calvin Crosby, the group’s executive director, said. “What is right for the bookstore in this town is not going to be right for the bookstore in the next town.”
The Book Catapult, an independent store in San Diego that will begin offering limited curbside shopping this week, is asking customers to wear masks and practice social distancing when they come to pick up books. Seth Marko, one of the store’s co-owners, said he’s not eager to open the store for browsing.The Book Catapult, an independent store in San Diego that will begin offering limited curbside shopping this week, is asking customers to wear masks and practice social distancing when they come to pick up books. Seth Marko, one of the store’s co-owners, said he’s not eager to open the store for browsing.
“If we are concerned with keeping the store sanitized, safe for customers and booksellers, and limiting the number of people through the doors, then the virus is still too prevalent, and we should not be encouraging things like shopping for books in person just yet,” he said. “Believe me, we would like nothing more than to go back to normal, just like everyone else.”“If we are concerned with keeping the store sanitized, safe for customers and booksellers, and limiting the number of people through the doors, then the virus is still too prevalent, and we should not be encouraging things like shopping for books in person just yet,” he said. “Believe me, we would like nothing more than to go back to normal, just like everyone else.”