Sandi Torkildson, co-founder and longtime owner of A Room of One's Own bookstore, Madison, Wis., was one of 10 recipients of this year's Isthmus Indie Awards, which "celebrate retailers, inventors, artists, scientists and others who show bold, innovative leadership and who give back to our community." They will be honored November 18 at a benefit for Dane Buy Local. Isthmus noted that Torkildson "is a fixture in downtown Madison, serving on countless committees, mentoring young entrepreneurs and fostering other small businesses."
"Part of the whole thing about bookstores is that you can browse and discover things, and you just can't do that same kind of browsing online," she said. "Finding something that you don't even know you're looking for--I think people really appreciate that experience and support us because they want to be able to do that."
Torkildson also credited the many booksellers she has worked with: "We've had wonderful staff people who have worked really hard, who really love books and really get excited about books.... It's just like when you go to the liquor store and all the big companies write their little blurbs about their wine. I don't know much about wine, but I always like it when there's one actually handwritten by somebody who says it is a really good buy."
