(Track 1)
James Street is full of traffic and noise. But inside Books End, a used bookstore, it’s quiet. They opened their doors thirty-three years ago and the last six months have changed business.
{***SOT FULL***} (CG: Jim Roberts/ Owner, Books End) [TAKE SOT NAME:Jim Roberts INCUE:We actually closed OUTCUE:Much as anything DURATION:0’13”]
(“We actually closed a little bit before we had to close because you could see that it was a train coming down the track. And I was worried about the safety of my employees at that point as much as anything”)
(Track 2)
Owner Jim Roberts credits the community around the store for keeping it alive.
{***SOT FULL***} [TAKE SOT NAME:Jim Roberts INCUE:And some people OUTCUE:Was you know DURATION:0’15”] (“And some people ordered books online from us, we have our own website and people can sort of scan and a lot of my really good customers deliberately went online and ordered books as a way to support us which was you know”).
(Track 3)
But for some, they continue to come here in person not just to shop for books, but for the people. {***SOT FULL***} (CG: Ralph Peters/ Books End Customer for Over a Decade) [TAKE SOT NAME:Ralph Peters INCUE:One of my OUTCUE:Here are wonderful DURATION:0’06”]
(“One of my favorite stores… people here are wonderful”).
(Track 4)
And especially now, books can help us feel connected.
(***SOT FULL***)
[TAKE SOT NAME:Ralph Peters INCUE:A used book OUTCUE:It or not DURATION:0’09”]
(“A used book is perfectly fine. You can think about the people who have owned it before and whether they appreciated it or not”).
(Track 5)
Even in a digital age, people like Ralph continue to search for books in person. Tara Arya… N-C-C News
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)– At the height of the pandemic, many businesses were forced to shut down and rethink how they do business. Books End, a used bookstore on James Street, had to shut its doors for three months and later reopen in June, hoping to stay afloat.
This week marks the 33rd anniversary of the store and owner Jim Roberts credits his loyal customers for helping keep the doors open during these difficult times.
They’ve moved a lot of their business online and curbside and he says that customers have continued to purchase books solely to keep the store running.
Roberts has seen a lot in his 33 years at the store, but nothing like this. One of his regulars, Ralph Peters, continues to come in despite the pandemic because of Jim and his staff.
For him, physically holding a book beats reading digitally. “A used book is perfectly fine,” said Peters,”you can think about the people who have owned it before and whether they appreciated it or not.”
The store continues to stay open thanks to loyal customers like Ralph Peters. Books End shows the importance of local business and how it can bring a community together.
