Readers unite
Kristian Preylowski and Kari Meutsch, co-owners of the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, load up some books to deliver to customers on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Downtown bookstores have a long history. For decades, they’ve fueled local creative economies, unlocked new ideas, and been the place where locals gather for an intellectual boost and some good reads. But amid the “new normal” which has eliminated the gathering, in-person part of the business, they’ve had to adjust, and many persist through this challenge.
At the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock, Vermont, co-owners Kari Meutsch and Kristian Preylowski are navigating this changed landscape, and doing so with strong support from the reading public. Community members have been greatly supportive, they said, though it’s not the same as when they had foot traffic.
“The biggest thing is, we don't have any employees working with us right now at the shop - they're still on payroll, we're giving them some paid time off to ride this thing out before they have to apply for unemployment,” Meutsch said.
Meanwhile, they’re seeing a steady stream of online orders, and they’ve made upgrades to the website to facilitate that increased activity. When the books come in, there is a curb-side pick-up option, or if needed, the store now delivers to people’s homes, with the bag left on the door for customers to grab.
“We’re keeping the whole operation sanitized, disinfecting hands and books,” Preylowski said.
Now, they’re handling a much larger amount of online orders - many of which are far larger than the norm - and managing a long list of pending orders on any given day. Also, postal service is taking longer, which adds to arrival time.
“Everybody’s been very understanding,” Preylowski said.
Along those lines, the community support has been a great encouragement. There have been a number of gift card sales, and offers from people who offered to help with deliveries.
“Whatever we need, people are offering their services,” Preylowski said. “The amount of people who've made those offers, it's pretty mind blowing."
Meutsch remembered a customer who called the store and bought a large gift card amount, asking that the gift card be split up to get books to local assisted-living facilities. Also, there have been many calls and emails from outside Vermont, from people who have visited the town and remembered the store.
“We've gotten a lot of support from people, and we're grateful for every single order we get,” Meutsch said.
Other changes amid the crisis have swept the industry - including some publishers and warehouses closing their doors - and therefore, have impacted the book supply chain and the shipping process. But, the store is making it through, buoyed by customer support, and similar stories have trickled into the news across the country about customers rallying around their local bookshops. It’s a reminder of the innate drive we all have to help and support each other. That drive, plus our collective creativity, will sustain our communities as we adapt and progress amid a time of change.
— Gareth Henderson
The Yankee Bookshop now has the following hours available for phone calls and contactless pickups: Monday and Tuesday, 12-4 pm; Thursday and Friday, 12-4 pm. Closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Local front-porch deliveries are made on Tuesdays and Fridays. Media mail shipping will continue to be free through April 30.
