"Question: In the age of Amazon, and in the midst of major book retailers scaling back, how do you open and sustain an independent bookstore in the Adirondacks?" asked North Country Public Radio. "Answer: (via Jessie Fischer, owner of the Book Nook in Saranac Lake) Keep it small, and never take a vacation."
The bookshop "is lined with floor to ceiling shelves, everything is in wood," NCPR reported. "The design was an attempt to balance Adirondack charm with urban design, which mimics Fischer's attempts to create a bookstore that appeals to locals and tourists."
"What locals don't want is like 'everything Adirondack-themed; we live here, we don't want to see that constantly!' But you want to also find that happy medium for your tourists coming in who want the Adirondack experience," said Fischer, who opened the Book Nook in 2017.
She added that the bookstore has worked because she's gotten local support: "I think it's a small town thing? Like, the community base. I know our prices are a lot more expensive. And we can't price match Amazon... but the money you spend in Saranac Lake stays in Saranac Lake. It helps benefit other people in Saranac Lake and other businesses, and allows us to do kids' events and donate to local organizations. Where Amazon won't do that, and doesn't really care about your community."