"While independent retail is struggling in D.C., it's worth celebrating the thriving literary scene on Capitol Hill, where bookstore owners not only compete but also champion one other," Washington City Paper reported.
"A bookstore is not like a pizza parlor, in that it's not unusual for customers to go straight from one to the next on an afternoon stroll," said Paul Cymrot, owner of used-bookstore Riverby Books, with locations on Capitol Hill and in Fredericksburg, Va. He said associates often refer customers to their bookstore neighbors. "You don't ever fill up."
East City Bookshop owner Laurie Gillman agreed, noting that she often recommends both Riverby and used bookstore Capitol Hill Books to customers looking for older titles. She and her staff occasionally do a little browsing themselves: "We can't help ourselves when it comes to books."
Morton "Jim" Toole, owner of Capitol Hill Books added: "They recommend me, I recommend them."