By Caitlin Essig - essig.21@osu.edu -Published: The Lantern -Thursday, May 3, 2012
Caitlin Essig / Asst. multimedia editor
The Book Loft, an independent bookstore celebrating its 35th anniversary, is located at 631 S. 3rd St., in German Village.
“Independent bookstores are a dying breed,” said Carl Jacobsma, co-owner of The Book Loft, an independent bookstore that is celebrating its 35-year anniversary.
Jacobsma said the 32-room bookstore, located at 631 S. 3rd St., in German Village found success despite the dominance of chains and online retailers.
The store is a labyrinth of books, with corridors connecting 32 rooms in a building that spans the length of one city block. Each of the rooms feature different subject matters, including gardening books and greeting cards in Room 6, best-sellers and new releases in Room 14 and military history in Room 19.
First-time visitors to the store should “expect to be surprised, because it is unlike any other bookstore,” Jacobsma said.
Michael Hemery, author of “No Permanent Scars,” agreed.
“I like the idea that it’s more than just a bookstore,” Hemery said. “Unlike the colder chain stores, it has an atmosphere and a vibe. The store has a real personality.”
The store’s unusual layout is part of its appeal and is something that persuades customers to come back, Jacobsma said.
Despite the Internet and e-books having hurt The Book Loft’s business, Jacobsma said the decline in business hasn’t been steep enough to be concerned about losing all of his business to those outlets.
“The (independent bookstores) that are established, like we are, continue to survive alongside major chains,” Jacobsma said.
“It’s like a library at Hogwarts," he said. "And I like the close environment of the store. Barnes & Noble is nothing like that.”
Full story at The Lantern.
Jacobsma said the 32-room bookstore, located at 631 S. 3rd St., in German Village found success despite the dominance of chains and online retailers.
The store is a labyrinth of books, with corridors connecting 32 rooms in a building that spans the length of one city block. Each of the rooms feature different subject matters, including gardening books and greeting cards in Room 6, best-sellers and new releases in Room 14 and military history in Room 19.
First-time visitors to the store should “expect to be surprised, because it is unlike any other bookstore,” Jacobsma said.
Michael Hemery, author of “No Permanent Scars,” agreed.
“I like the idea that it’s more than just a bookstore,” Hemery said. “Unlike the colder chain stores, it has an atmosphere and a vibe. The store has a real personality.”
The store’s unusual layout is part of its appeal and is something that persuades customers to come back, Jacobsma said.
Despite the Internet and e-books having hurt The Book Loft’s business, Jacobsma said the decline in business hasn’t been steep enough to be concerned about losing all of his business to those outlets.
“The (independent bookstores) that are established, like we are, continue to survive alongside major chains,” Jacobsma said.
“It’s like a library at Hogwarts," he said. "And I like the close environment of the store. Barnes & Noble is nothing like that.”
Full story at The Lantern.
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