There’s something beautifully calming about walking into a quiet bookstore, but with the convenience of large-scale online retailers and the economic consequences of the pandemic, small stores are facing unprecedented challenges. To survive, local bookstores are banding together … [Read more...] about Bookshop makes it easier than ever to support your local bookstore
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The case for relocating small businesses back to residential areas
If you walk around some 1920s-era neighborhoods, it’s not unusual to see a tiny grocery store inhabiting the street corner. This used to be normal in residential areas, but as cars became more widespread, businesses relocated to more centrally-located commercial centers such as … [Read more...] about The case for relocating small businesses back to residential areas
Demand for community supported agriculture has never been higher
Recently, we’ve highlighted the rise of microgrid food systems and the movement towards buying local to address the resiliency challenges of COVID-19. Farm to table community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs are another aspect of local economies thriving as the pandemic … [Read more...] about Demand for community supported agriculture has never been higher
This app is helping local bookstores stay afloat
Last week we shared a story about how Powell’s Books is scraping by and rehiring employees with the support of online book sales. A new app called “Save Your Bookstore” is helping other independent sellers stay in business to make it easier for people to locate and support their … [Read more...] about This app is helping local bookstores stay afloat
A wave of online orders allowed Powell’s Books to rehire 100 employees
The famous Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon is a book lover’s dream and local institution. In the face of COVID-19, the store was forced to close its doors and lay off 300 employees, but now, thanks to a wave of online orders, they have hired back 100 staff members. The … [Read more...] about A wave of online orders allowed Powell’s Books to rehire 100 employees