Declaring Independence in Philadelphia

The more I come into contact with the cookie-cutter version of the world, the more I appreciate experiences that are different. Well, I always preferred the inimitable especially when it comes to the only way to prepare a late morning coffee and chocolate drink. Italy is all about the only item you will see and experience.

So it may not be a surprise that I would take a liking to a European-feeling bookshop. My preference goes much further than the surface: it connects with my beliefs on relationships, community, and branding. How do you run an effective brand loyalty campaign? By becoming the "go to" store for a certain kind of experience. That is the topic of today's post at FC Expert blogs.

In this case, old is the new "new". What is your favorite independent story?

Comments

[Stephen Denny]

I don't know if they're still there or not -- it's been a few years -- but the next time you're in the Milwaukee Airport (assuming you aver land in that part of the country, of course), go buy a book. There was (hopefully still is) a used bookstore that goes far beyond the "recycled airport novel" genre and is truly a great place to spend an hour or two. I think I bought a hardback copy of Xenophon's 'Anabasis' for my flight home.

[Roger von Oech]

If you ever come to the Menlo Park-Palo Alto area, go to Keplers, one one of the great independent bookstores. But like most other indies, it has had its problems competing with the online world.

[Valeria Maltoni]

Stephen -- Growing up with a library of more than 5,000 books in the house, I would eagerly visit any bookstore, especially one that has 'lived' books.

Roger -- The way Joseph Fox Bookshop competes is by not competing. Michael works with the chains because they don't have staff for and don't do events outside the stores. So they refer those events to him. And by having relationships with publishers, he has become dependable and sought after. It still means a lot of work, but I do not know of anyone who succeeds without it.