Comments on: Save Kepler’s Mailing List and How to Help

By: Anne Lerch

Anne Lerch — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 15:28:48 +0000

In my tiny community, our tiny bookstore sells tickets to all of the local events that require tickets. Besides serving a community function, it causes people to come into the store–and as we all know, it’s hard to resist finding something you want to take home from a bookstore (especially Kepler’s!) I haven’t been to the store for a while (I live out of state now), but serving as a community center of sorts certainly brought the store loyalty for many.

By: Karen Anne

Karen Anne — Sat, 24 Sep 2005 06:05:00 +0000

To comment on Dana’s postings (#11 and #20), “There is nothing in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper and he who considers only price is that man’s lawful prey.”
Keplers had a fine selection. And compare the knowledgeability and helpfulness of its staff to the no-nothing staff at the chain bookstores.
The reason that big box stores stay in business while driving local stores out of business is that they can offer lower prices because they treat their staff and their suppliers badly. Walmart is a prime example – terrible wages, unaffordable health care, suppliers running sweatshops and trashing the environment. You’re looking at the price on a product, and not seeing the other costs behind it. That’s capitalism at its worst.

By: Wendi

Wendi — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 04:07:48 +0000

Although many of us do like to support independent business as a principle; I think the reason people love Kepler’s so much is that it is such a great book store. I’ll admit that the main reason I shopped almost exclusively at Kepler’s was that I liked it best, not just out of the goodness of my heart. Most books that I have bought would cost the same at Kepler’s as they do in Borders or Barnes and Noble; if those chain stores even have the book; which often they don’t. If Borders and Barnes and Noble were as good as they used to be, I could imagine shopping there, but they have gone downhill. Borders is totally disorganized and even the staff can’t find things. Barnes & Noble isn’t quite as bad, but they don’t have the selection that Kepler’s had. They also don’t have the interesting tables where books of various points of view are arranged. Also, at least in San Mateo, Borders didn’t seem to have many shoppers; it looked to me like Kepler’s did better business.

By: dana

dana — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 21:58:56 +0000

To comment 18: Yes, it is that thinking that is putting a lot of local businesses out of business, but you cannot force people to care about their community in this way, i.e. shopping at a local bookstore that does not serve their needs (which I bet for a lot of people, it didn’t and why they shopped elsewhere). To reopen Kepler’s without a solid business plan that could keep it in business for longer than a couple of months would just be trying to postpone the inevitable. Remember that a lot of these “big box” stores were once community businesses. These are the ones that succeeded and were able to bring their business to more people. There is nothing wrong with being a large corporation who did something right and is now able to serve a community that appreciates their presence. Borders and Barnes & Noble do a lot within the communities they serve, as does Starbucks. It’s funny that people reject capitalism when it is the reason many of these stores were around to begin with.

By: Larry Lewicki

Larry Lewicki — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 21:38:13 +0000

In follow up to Jenny’s comments about post #11.

Post #11 seems to suggest that prices are the only thing driving the market. For me, another need seems to be product diversity. I remember when I was a kid in Chicago – listening to AM radio hits and then driving with the family up to Wisconsin and hearing “other” music on AM radio. There was enough diversity to have many different music scenes going on all across America. Now we have Clear Channel effectively controlling the radio waves and concert venues.

Likewise in the book business – WalMart controls the majority of the books sold and publishers have specific criteria for pubilcation so that books won’t be excluded from the small WalMart list.

I believe Thoreau said that democracy was the tyranny of the majority. Unfortunately there is an aspect of the drive for capitalistic market efficiency that becomes the tyranny of the majority as well.

I don’t know what the solution is – but the closing of Kepler’s makes me feel that the trend is going in the wrong direction.

Larry

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 01:00:01 +0000

I would like to reply to comment # 11. Unfortunately it is that sort of thinking that will shortly turn the whole Bay Area into nothing but a string of big box Walmarts, Best Buy’s and Border’s. In other words, a place without a soul. Losing Kepler’s is not just about a few hundred fans losing their favorite store, it is about losing culture, local business and the glue which holds a community together. I could go on and on about why this is not just about one store, but rather about a larger trend that is truly destroying much of what causes people to care about their community and their neighbors. Without this sense of belonging to a community and the give and take that those relationships involve, we risk losing much more than a bookstore. The big box stores may save you a few dollars in the short run, but what they will end up taking from you for the benefit of this “discount” is irreplaceable.

By: Katie Miller

Katie Miller — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 22:45:38 +0000

Any idea when Kepler’s will rise again? My book wishlist is growing and I have vowed to buy or order through Kepler’s, but I don’t know how much longer I can hold out. Is there any way Kepler’s could exercise some financial relief that has been pledged and just open? The sooner the store is open and engaging in good old commerce the sooner its ordinary fans can really show their support. I’m unable participate in the larger investment ideas, but I can be a much better patron than I was before and I am eager to put my money where my mouth is. I am positive there are many others like me.

By: Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 01:53:09 +0000

It seems that many stores in the Palo Alto/Menlo Park area are closing. Is this area going the way to only corporate stores?

By: Karen Anne

Karen Anne — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 22:20:19 +0000

I really like idea #12 (books to Katrina-damaged libraries) once they have storage space. It would be a short term help, however. Getting a reasonable rent seems the problem that has to be solved.

By: Roy Melander

Roy Melander — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 19:09:02 +0000

A friend posted this news and I am sorry for you all.
If you can keep it open
I will buy 5 books before Christmas.
roy