Yes, It is True

As some of you already know, and as many of you may have heard, Tammy and I have decided to close Jackson Street Books at the end of the month (though we will be available some dates in June as we pack up). We have sold our home in Seattle, and are purchasing one in Hoquiam, which is on the Washington coast, and just off Hwy. 101.

There are a number of reasons why we made this decision. The most obvious one is that we just haven’t had the sales we need to sustain ourselves and make a living. In fact, we probably should have closed earlier than this, but we kept thinking we would turn the corner and start making a little bit of money. Alas, it never happened. We think we have great customers, and if you are seeing this, you have, in some way, either through your purchases or other support, kept us going these past four years and we are very grateful. There just aren’t enough of you, though.

It is fashionable for independent bookstores to blame business failures on Chain stores and Amazon, or other on-line competition. We won’t do that. Chain stores and on-line affect all of us, some more than others, perhaps, and level the playing field. Those institutions have their place, and are part of a changing world of commerce. But we would ask all of you to continue to support your local independent bookstore… and other independent retail businesses. They really serve us well, and many fine people make their living at them.

Tammy and I, although we regret not making Jackson Street Books work here, are excited by our impending move. We have found a house that will more than adequately store our books, and we will continue to sell books on-line through www.abebooks.com and www.biblio.com. We will also probably set up an alternate website that can accept payments, but that will wait until after we move. Currently we blog at jacksonstreetbooks.blogspot.com if you care to check in on our adventures. We will also now find the time to do the things we enjoyed doing before we started this venture, like gardening, and baking.

And, of course, any excuse for a party! We will have a going away party at the end of the month to which you are all invited. We will send the details in our next (and, sniff, last) newsletter.