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11.20.98
eight.a
Suddenly, there came a tapping...
It's been about a year since big business nestled down near The Raven Bookstore
story by karen lucas photos by graham k johnson
Distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December—Dec. 6 to be exact—last year that Borders, 700 New Hampshire St., opened down the street from The Raven Bookstore, B E. Seventh St. Although Raven co-owner Pat Kehde claims to have had an all-time record in sales that day, she admits sales have dropped a bit since then.
"I like to support local business, and I think The Raven has been an important part of the community." laura howard administrative assistant
The Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting:
While many small independent bookstores struggle to coexist with national chains, a locally owned book shop in Lawrence tells a different story.
competition from the national chain store. The Raven has maintained a niche in the local market. "They have a tremendous
selection," said Andi Powell Phillips, Lawrence graduate students. "It's bigger than any collection you'd find in a chain store."
The Raven Bookstore, 8 E. Seventh St., has maintained a niche in the local market since Borders Books, Music & Cafe opened last December less than a block away at 700 New Hampshire St.
"The Raven is wanting to be a place where people can find good books and good advice and information about books in an atmosphere that's like someone's private library," said Kehde, co-owner of The Raven.
Borders, on the other hand, could be considered more of a destination place.
said Lisa Bakke,
Lawrence Borders
general manager.
"Customers see Borders as a place to go for entertainment," Bakke said. "Some people come for two to three hours. They look at books. They listen to music. They stop for something in the cafe."
While Borders is a full-line bookstore that also carries CDs and videos, The Raven specializes in mysteries, fiction, and regional and local-interest books. It also sells books on subjects ranging from gardening to gender issues.
Its mystery collection includes British and Canadian imports, which are
difficult to find elsewhere, said Mary Lou Wright, co-owner of The Raven.
"They have a tremendous selection," said Audi Powell Phillips, Lawrence graduate student. "It's bigger than any collection you'd find in a chain store."
When Borders opened Dec. 6, loyal patrons gave The Raven an excellent sales day.
"On that day, we had our all-time record day in sales," Wright said.
Kehde agreed.
"It was really gratifying," she said. "It seemed like people made a very deliberate statement."
Kehde said sales have dropped a little bit since then, but would not give specific numbers.
One of The Raven's loyal customers is Laura Howard, administrative assistant
at the department of social and rehabilitation services.
"Ilike to support local business, and I think The Raven has been an important part of the community." Howard said.
Although customers like Howard support the Raven, they also patronize Borders.
Stan Lombardo, professor of classics, also shops at both stores.
"I buy many more books at The Raven than I buy at Borders," he like. "A place like
But not all customers who have shopping before at The Raven still visit.
sale." A place like this (Borders) is good for its convenience. If you need something right away, it's a good place."
"I like to browse around and visit with folkks in the cafe." Howard said.
"Ihaven't been there since Borders opened," said Timothy Riling, Lawrence attorney. "You just look around the store and see there's a lot more here."
But Riling still speaks favorably of The Raven.
"I hope it stays," he said. "You don't want the little guy overcome by the big guy."
Along with its hard-to-find titles and faithful clientele, The Raven is known for its handwritten book recommendations. Throughout the store, one can find yellow recommendation slips posted on the shelves.
Kehde's recommendation for Joanna Stratton's "Pioneer Women" reads: "Fascinating diaries of women's lives in pioneer Kansas. Some of these writings were found in an attic in Topeka."
In the fiction section, another employee wrote: "Michael Malone's 'Handling Sin' is a very funny book about a man's search through the South for his crazy father. It's fast-paced, touching and loaded with unforgettable characters."
Just recently, Borders introduced its own handwritten book recommenda-
"I've read several books that I probably wouldn't have chosen, but I did because of their recommendations," she said.
Phillips spoke enthusiastically of The Raven's book critiques.
"Customers see Borders as a place to go for entertainment. Some people come for two to three hours. They look at books. They listen to music. They stop for something in the cafe."
lisa bakke borders general manager
tions, which it encourages from both employees and customers. Borders also has a display shelf with monthly staff selections.
Although Kehde and Wright are pleased with how their store has coexisted with Borders, they are not worry-free. Competition from Internet booksellers like Amazon.com poses a new challenge for The Raven
"I think it's a threat, but I don't think it's a fatal threat," Kehde said.
Though her store is doing business on the Internet, Bakke expressed a reservation.
When it comes to dealing with the competition on the Internet, Borders does have one advantage over The Raven. This fall, it began selling books online at www.borders.com
"I don't think the Internet shopping experience can compete with actually being able to look at the book and take it home right away." Bakke said.
From my books surcease of sorrow ... or whatever else suits your fancy. Similar to The Raven, Borders recently introduced book recommendations, written by both employees and customers.
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