Bookstores across the country are
fighting for their very survival. We are
living in an age where virtually anything can be downloaded onto your computer
from the comforts of your home with the click of a mouse button. And while technology allows us the ability to
shop from home, merchants have had to take measures to keep up with the new age
that we are living in.
Bookstores had to think of creative
and innovative ways to compete with on-line shopping sources like Amazon,
Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million.
They have found themselves competing with eBook hardware like Nooks and Kindles,
and with the advent of these tools come the associated technology that
continuously lowers the price of books from the standard $15.00 to the average
of $5.00.
Many bookstores that found
themselves flourishing in the Eighties and Nineties have closed up shop because
of the inability to compete. Still,
other bookstores have elected to fight the good fight to the bitter end,
choosing to re-invent themselves to keep their doors open.
Some have elected to change their
formal title from being known as a simple bookstore to becoming a
literary/literacy center. Others have
gone the route of becoming their own publisher and distributer, making the
works of their own authors available at their location alone. Some have turned to becoming a literary café;
serving food, coffee, and cold drinks while people browse their shelves for the
next great read. And others have decided
to implement various strategies by selling other merchandise that cannot be
obtained in other mainstream stores – items such as paintings, sculptures and
tee-shirts. Indeed, this is a fight that
wages on, and while some stores have won, others have fallen and others have
teetered on the brink of success.
MeJah Books located in the Tri
State Mall in Claymont, Delaware is an example of such a bookstore that is in
the process of re-inventing itself, desperately holding onto to its place
within the public sector. Instead of
electing to close the doors forever, the owner has elected to become a mecca
for culture and creativity within the community. Today, The Examiner sits down with the staff
of MeJah Books Incorporated to talk about how the implementation of technology
has impacted the growth of this store, and what the owner intends to do to
fight back!
JL: In your opinion, how has the book buying public changed over the last five years and how has this impacted you?
MeJah: The habits of the
buying public began to change in 2007 and with each passing year it has become
more of a challenge due to economical and technological influences – such as
layoffs, terminations, company shut downs and the increase of eBooks purchases and
hardware. Gradually, regular customers
weren’t coming as frequent, sales decreased throughout the week, non-frequent
customers began to be bold and boast about better sales (deals) at Borders,
Walmart and flea markets. They also
cited the Nook, iPad and Kindle as the
replacement for printed books.
JL: What is it about your store as well as other stores like yours that makes it special?
JL: What is it about your store as well as other stores like yours that makes it special?
MeJah: The compassion,
creativity and hospitality of the shopkeeper as well as her co-workers set
MeJah Books apart from any other book store that you may visit in the tri-state
area. Emlyn DeGannes, affectionately
known as Ms. Em (Ms. M) by her customers was raised in a village in Trinidad,
West Indies until age thirteen when she migrated to the States with her
family. Her education and experience
helped forge her dreams into a reality and MeJah Books was born fourteen years
ago today. It is more than just a bookstore.
Ms. Em has created a peaceful atmosphere that revives and uplifts the human
spirit. It is a haven for artists to network and a cultural center to educate
the young and old. Through her bookstore,
she teaches the community near and far how to be a better human being by
becoming the change they want to see in the world.
JL: Would you provide examples of how you have become a staple within the community?
JL: Would you provide examples of how you have become a staple within the community?
MeJah: MeJah Books has been
a service to the Tri-State community since 1998: an authorized shipper to
institutions as well as an inspiration to the many men and women that are
incarcerated, mentoring at-risk youth through reading and creative writing,
initiated Toys for Children with Incarcerated Parents and is known for its
outstanding customer service, hospitality and events.
JL: What efforts are you taking to keep your store alive?
JL: What efforts are you taking to keep your store alive?
MeJah: We are becoming more proficient in using social media
accounts to advertise and promote the book store and our events, expanding the
café area, offer free WiFi service to customers, host old school fun activities
for children and adults, host dialogue exchanges on a variety topics for adults
on relationships, manhood and finances-just to name a few. We also offer free self-publishing seminars,
jazz coffee mixers and speed dating events.
We will also be focusing on health and wellness by introducing a juice
bar along with education.
JL: With the shift towards stores becoming "literary centers" or "literary cafes", do you think that this would give you a competitive edge given that we are living in an age of e-readers?
JL: With the shift towards stores becoming "literary centers" or "literary cafes", do you think that this would give you a competitive edge given that we are living in an age of e-readers?
MeJah: Yes, it would because
we have learned that we cannot depend on just the sales of books alone. We must
embrace the technological age and offer the tools needed to be a successful
author and expand the café’ menu. While
social media has created a more social impact and has heightened dialoging,
literary center or literary cafes are supporting the climate of change in
technological time.
To learn more about MeJah Books,
please visit their website:
J.L. Whitehead
