#IndiesFirst on #SmallBusinessSaturday: Thanks for 'Keeping the Dream Alive'

At Curious Iguana, Frederick, Md.

Indie booksellers took to social media as #IndiesFirst on #SmallBusinessSaturday came to an end to express gratitude to communities across the country for stepping up to support independent bookstores in perilous, yet somehow hopeful, times. Here's a sampling:

Next Page Books, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: "Thanks, Cedar Rapids, for keeping the dream alive. I'm exhausted, overwhelmed, and grateful for your support today (and every day). I'm gonna have a stiff drink and then head home and crash. But we'll start 'er back up again in the morning. In the meantime, thank you, thank you, thank you. You rock!"

The Flying Pig Bookstore, Shelburne, Vt.: "Thank you, wonderful friends and community members, for making this a fun and hopping Small Business Saturday! We love being part of your neighborhood. A big flap o' the wings to you!"

At Bookish, Fort Smith, Ark.

The Ivy Bookshop, Baltimore, Md.: "Taking a deep, grateful breath at the end of Small Business Saturday 2020. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who browsed, picked up, called, ordered online, and cheered us on today--and every day. Being a local bookstore is always a team effort, but that fact has never felt truer than in this moment. May all the books that found new homes today be reminders that this reading community is as vibrant as ever. We appreciate you."

The Green Toad Bookstore, Oneonta, N.Y.: "It's the Season! Thank you to all our loyal customers that help support us. It has been great to see so many familiar and new faces this small business Saturday. We appreciate the support of Oneonta and the surrounding areas that help make our store special."

Bookish, Fort Smith, Ark.: "Thank you @shopsmall and @646downtown. Our support today has been amazing!"

Small World Books, Venice, Calif.: "Thanks to all our customers who supported us this Small Business Saturday and every other day of this tough year! We appreciate it more than we can express. You allow us to do what we love!"

At Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg, Fla.: "WOW! Small Business Saturday was amazing and we cannot thank you enough for your support. Co-owner Candice and Bookseller/Book Club Coordinator Claire were recommending reads and wrapping gifts all day--and we are inspired and ready for another busy day in St. Pete. From the bottom of our book loving hearts, thank you so much for making this bookstore dream a vibrant reality."

Turning Page Bookshop, Goose Creek, S.C.: "Thank you so much for supporting my small business bookstore. I just loved the new friends and customers I met. It was the best day ever!"

Whistlestop Bookshop, Carlisle, Pa.: "Small Business Saturday was wild in the best respects. From a line of people as I opened up to 3:15 p.m. when the store was briefly empty, many many people came out to shop small, shop local, and support their independents.... Thank you to everyone who made Whistlestop part of their day! Four weeks 'til Christmas!

At Bluestockings, New York City

Hickory Stick Bookshop, Washington Depot, Conn.: "Another Small Business Saturday in the bag, and a very successful one it was too--thank you to everyone who shopped in store, online or by phone! Your support of local independent stores is truly appreciated. This morning was extra special because we had our first official book signing event since March! "

Gathering Volumes, Perrysburg, Ohio: "Thank you to everyone who #shoppedsmall on #SmallBusinessSaturday and especially to those that supported Gathering Volumes! Whether it was online, over the phone, or in person, you all made our bookselling hearts swell today. Thank you again and again. Thank you also for wearing masks and wearing them properly. We did not have a single person come in the store without a mask on correctly, making everyone's experience better. Thank you again!"

Neighborhood Reads, Washington, Mo.: "Thank you. As the sun sets on Small Business Saturday 2020, we are so grateful to our community for your support today--in store and online."

At Inkwood Books, Haddonfield, N.J.

Inkwood Books, Haddonfield, N.J.: "We couldn't offer you cookies or cocktails, bins of free stuff, or the attentive customer service of Small Business Saturdays past. We couldn't even provide a working website. But you all came anyway. You waited in long lines to get in, you found books without any help, called and e-mailed your orders, and never once complained. To all of you who came out today, and all of you who have shopped and supported us during these difficult times, THANK YOU! You are the heart our bookstore and we really felt the love today."

City Books, Pittsburgh, Pa: "I want to thank everyone for making today such a great #SmallBusinessSaturday under the worst of circumstances. It certainly was not a record, but it did exceed our expectations. We love our readers!!!"

Raven Book Store, Lawrence, Kan.: "It's been so hard this year in so many ways, but we've been buoyed by your love and willingness to follow us as we get creative trying to keep everyone safe. Thank you for supporting us, and thank you for supporting small businesses."

Wheatberry Books, Chillicothe, Ohio: "Yesterday was the most magical Small Business Saturday. Let's do it again today!"

Powered by: Xtenit