Besieged by mega-chains, the internet and e-books, independent bookstores stay afloat through a precarious combination of sideline retailing, niche marketing and sheer quirkiness - delightful for those who love to browse. Following are a few of Zocalo’s local picks.
Clues Unlimited is a prime example of the unsuspected pleasures of independent bookstores. The store specializes in mystery novels, new and used. But it steps outside of the mystery niche for local authors, who it highlights whatever their market, as well as for books on dogs and pigs. The store’s mascots – Sophie the pot-bellied pig and Canelo the greyhound – can sometimes be found among the stacks.
Christine Burke has run Clues Unlimited since 1996, when she bought the store from its previous owners, who started it in 1987. A year ago, Burke moved the store from Broadway at Country Club further north to 3126 E. Fort Lowell Rd. It’s more convenient, she says, to Tucson’s mystery readers.
Despite the new locale and the Burke’s dedication to creating a relationship with her customers, the future for Clues Unlimited is as murky as a mystery setup. On the homepage of CluesUnlimited.com is a plea: “Times are really hard in the bookstore business and I’m seriously considering closing the store at the end of the year. Any suggestions to help keep things going are much appreciated. Keep buying books!”
The financial troubles now so common among these stores are certainly not for lack of topical enthusiasm. Like the store and Burke herself, the Clues Unlimited website is a treasure trove of mystery-related information, with pages on mystery subgenres including medieval, academic and culinary. There are listings of events and signings and mystery novel websites, as well as forthcoming books to entice the already hooked. Those wanting to talk books will find a willing partner in Burke. And the supply of vacation reading, she says, is ample and waiting. Call 326-8533 for more information.
Mostly Books, at 6208 E. Speedway Blvd., is another indie with surprising specialties. “We’re pretty much the only bookstore in the world where you can browse handwriting analysis books,” says co-owner Tricia Clapp. Clapp and her sister and co-owner Bobbe Arnett also stock a large number of books about recovery, including 12-step programs. The store hosts book signings, twice-a-month book discussions, handwriting analysis classes and 12-step program meetings. In addition to a broad array of new and used books, the sisters sell gifts, cards and recovery medallions. They’ve been at it for 22 years and counting. Check out MostlyBooks.biz or ring 571-0110 to answer your inquiries.
The Book Stop is another longtime Tucson institution that was a fixture on Campbell Avenue for almost 20 years. Now situated at 214 N. Fourth Ave., co-owners Tina Bailey and Claire Fellows moved into their locale, just a block from the underpass, within months of the tunnels closing for construction. They lost pedestrian traffic, but the shop was resilient and the owners tenacious. They’re proud to contribute to area’s revival. “I think we’re part of downtown coming back,” Bailey said.
Bailey and Fellows have bucked other trends as well, notably bookstores’ new tendency toward selling things other than books. “It’s really a store for people who like to read,” Bailey said. “We just do books, good books in their field.” The stocks trend toward the academic, rare and out of print, but used books of all stripes can be found in the airy shop, along with a little art and some retro postcards.
Though they buy, sell and trade used books, during the summer, the business is in trades. “We don’t buy during the summer,” Bailey said. “In trades, we’re fair. It’s a pretty good deal.” Reach them by dialing 326-6661 or visiting BookStopTucson.com.
Charlie’s Comic Books, 5445 E. 22nd St., is also a store for dedicated readers, though readers who prefer art with their words. Of the four comic book stores in Tucson, Charlie’s puts the most emphasis on introducing the genre to newbies.
Owner Charlie Harris is an encyclopedia of comic book knowledge. He says he reads every comic that comes through his store, and he’s long reviewed comics for national magazines.
This summer, Charlie’s is selling reprints of popular series from the four largest comic book publishers – DC, Image, Marvel and Dark Horse – for $1 each. These series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta and Spawn, offer an introduction on the cheap. Find out more at CharliesComics.popshoponline.com or by calling 320-0279.
Antigone Books has found its niche in new books, especially those related to feminism. “We are feminists from the point of view of politics and progressive from the point of view of politics, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” said co-owner Trudy Mills. “We have a lot of stuff that just makes you laugh.”
Mills and co-owner Kate Randall have owned the store at 411 N. Fourth Ave. since 1995, though Antigone Books was started in 1973. It also sells a large stock of gifts, cards and journals. During the summer, Antigone features a shelf filled with advance copies of books, which customers can take for free as long as they spend $5 in the store. Customers who sign up for the newsletter also receive a coupon for a July shopping spree. Browse online at AntigoneBooks.com or directly connect at 792-3715.
No conversation of Tucson’s independent bookstores would be complete without mentioning Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, with three locations in Tucson and three more across Arizona. The stores sell used media – books, music, movies, video games and systems, magazines, comics, electronics, tchotchkes, musical instruments, to start –'on a scale exceeding any other local store in town. They hold events at the stores that demonstrate a similarly broad array of interests.
Bob Oldfather started the business more than 30 years ago with the idea of creating a cool place to hang out. The stores still reflect his fervor for community building and particular interests, including environmentalism. Bookmans is one of the few places in town to juice up an electric vehicle. That’s because Oldfather collects vintage electric cars. Locations and their phone numbers can be found at Bookmans.com.
