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Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1205
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 12:15 am: | 
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I'm planning to go to LA again, in a about 6 weeks, for Book Expo America. We are exhibiting, hosting our Black Pack Party and I'm trying to squeeze in some time to visit a local book store. I did want to try to carve out some time to visit Eso Wan in LA.
I went on-line to find some information about the store and came across this post from 2003 http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/5047/636.html
The subject was about local Black book stores. It is really interesting to see how things have changed in just a few short years.
I see that I was high on Nubian Heritage's huge bookstore in Harlem. Nubian is a thing of the past and stopped selling books sometime ago.
I know we spoke about book store closings recently, but it is interesting reading what I thought about the subject just 5 years ago.
And of course I had no clue Karibu would be closed now |
Connie_briscoe
Regular Poster
Username: Connie_briscoe
Post Number: 27
Registered: 01-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 07:59 am: |
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Things have really changed. Clara is no longer at Hue-Man in Harlem for instance. Emma Rodgers' store in Dallas is gone, etc., etc. Someone ought to write a book about the bye-gone era.
Connie Briscoe
www.conniebriscoe.com |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12120
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 01:03 pm: |
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The book store I mentioned in the thread you posted a link to, Troy, is now struggling to stay afloat.  |
Jackie
Veteran Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 611
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 01:32 pm: |
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Hey Troy, how long will you be in the Los Angeles area ? |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2837
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 02:00 pm: |
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I usually do not comment on these book business threads because I feel I lack any expertise. But since reading them, I have increasingly noticed and actively reflected about many of the trends you all have discussed. For example, for many years now I can get dozens of things *other* than books, magazines and newspapers at my local B&N: used books, CDs, videos, coffee, tea, pastries, mugs, greeting cards, stuffed animals, art supplies, board games, and more. But there also seems to be a simila rcrossing over in other businesses. For example, I went to get coffee at Starbucks and saw that they were selling--not only newspapers, their special CDs, and other gift items--but several featured book titles.
Troy, I also notice your recent thread about aalbc gift items for sale. Do you forsee getting into sales of other items as well, similar to how the bookstores and other sectors are moving? I would love, for example, a single site to go to chat, read book reviews, buy books, browse toys by Black companies, and maybe even a hair product or two...
I'm just sayin! |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1206
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 11:43 am: |
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Cynique, if you are reffering to Eso Wan I was aware of that which is one f the reason I want to visit, perhaps video tape an interview with the owner, to help promote the store and archive a small portion of it's story.
I'll very very busy the whole time I'm in LA so I'm not sure I'll get a chance to do it. I'm going to see if I can extend my stay however.
ConnieB, that would be an interesting book, but perhaps premature I think the most intersting changes have yet to come.
Placed in the content of gentrification in our urban centers and perhaps exploring the cutltural changes it could be a very interesting read... for those of us left who still read.
Jackie, I'll be in LA from May 29th until June 1st. What's up?
Yvettep, as someone who presumably goes into a bookstore your "expertise" is sufficent. As a business I try to develope as many sources of income as possible, given the environemnt any one of those sources can dry up in a heart beat.
I did not think that the bags, cups and mugs are going to be a significant source of income -- indeed I usually just give these things away. I sell them online just to cover expense and time of doing the mailing.
I'm more concerned with branding the web site and getting more people visit.
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 6643
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 11:55 am: |
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Kola Boof is out there, isn't she? And Nafisa Goma? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 12128
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 11:57 am: |
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Um no, Troy, the black book store I referred to in my comment on the thread you provided a link to, is located in Oak Park, Illinois. The name of it is Afri-Ware. |
Robynmarie
Veteran Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 776
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 11:22 pm: |
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Troy-if you have a chance, you should visit Smiley's bookstore in Carson. It is run by two hard working sistas (they are blood) and in addition to all the latest African American books, magazines, newspapers and collectibles they have excellent programs for kids. |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 176
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 11:38 am: |
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**I'm more concerned with branding the web site and getting more people visit.**
Troy, are there possible collaborative opportunities between aalbc and theroot.com? |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1208
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 01:11 pm: |
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Ferociouskitty sure, why not?
Robynmarie I think I'm going to try to extend my stay, if I can get my flight pushed back a day or two.
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