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AALBC.com's Thumper's Corner Discussion Board » Thumper's Corner - Archive 2004 » Black Women and Bookstores « Previous Next »

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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 295
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 12:06 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

This could be a bit off the topic but maybe not. I was doing a canvass of bookstores that specialize in mystery and crime fiction--wherein much (if not most) of the readership is male and I discovered that most of these stores are owned by women.

I have started canvassing general bookstores and black bookstores and noticed that most of them are owned by women.

I always wanted to own a bookstore--though I know I would be always hanging around in it, reading the books and probably wouldn't make any money--but is this more than an impression. Why do you think that bookstore ownership is so heavenly female?

Is ownin' a bookstore a woman thang?
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Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio

Post Number: 462
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 12:18 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

terrible question, the latter, that is...are u suggesting that our(men) Y chromosome lacks the entrepreneurial acumen to run a book store?
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 296
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 01:42 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yukio:

Your YU-sual YU-kistic YU-kase was not YU-nique and did not generate any YU-ps or YU-ks.

Now do YU have any theories as to why there are so many women who own bookstores?



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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 343
Registered: 04-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 02:30 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Chris,
Maybe I can help.

I too have noted the apparent prevalence of Black female ownership. First, you should assume that a percentage of these store are in fact being co-owned with male spouses who have are perhaps away pursuing other business interests. For example, my wife operates a storefront business that we co-own. I am usually there only during a few days of the week, and, then, mostly after business hours. So, our customers probably assume that SHE is its sole owner.

But, assuming it is true that the majority of owners of Black book stores are female, I think that is due to a very simple phenomenon: Women do more recreation book reading than men. And (smart) people usually start businesses in endeavors that they already enjoy or are familiar with.

And most small dealers are likely operating at razor-thin margins, feel the imminent encroachment of the Amazon, B&N, Borders, etc. with every passing day, and the book market is at best maturing or very likely contracting. To effectively own/operate a bookstore, one must really enjoy reading and chatting about them with friends/strangers, can enjoy (or at least tolerate) dealings with mercenary publishers/distributors, spacey authors, burgeoning stocks of unsold books, etc.

So you have to really 'love' reading/books to own a small, independent book store. And lets face it, the sistah seem to have more of that kind of 'love'.
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Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio

Post Number: 463
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 02:48 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

chrishayden: thats was amusing...no i don't! But, ABM's comments sounds sound...lol!
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 297
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 02:51 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Abm and Yukio:

Thank YU for YU're support!
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 598
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 03:35 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

For macho brothers, of which there are many, the idea of owning a book store smacks of wussiness, Chris. And this attitude, of course, has its roots in the idea that real men don't read - unless of course they're those snobby intellectual types.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 344
Registered: 04-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 04:50 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Passion,
I've gottah figure you do all right with stocking your literary wares in LA. Is that because LA has a lot of Cynique's male "snobby intellectual types" who are rife with "wussiness"?


BTW: Your Lakers are some lucky sons-of-@#$%&es!
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Lambd
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lambd

Post Number: 133
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 09:10 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Abm...hard to be lucky when you outscore the pistons on a 10-2 run in OT...Just an observation.


Cynique: was that a dig on all of your male counterparts here on the literary board? I would cuss your ass out but I just broke a fingernail typing this response. I'll get back to you after my book club meeting at the cafe. I'm so upset I can't find my rose and aquamarine sweater. I wanted to tie it around my waist in case it got chilly in the coffee shop...TTFN!
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 604
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 12:37 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I HATE the Lakers!!! That's all I have to say on the subject of the NBA finals.
Lambd, that was sooo funny. Ok, I was being facetious in my comments. I am serious, however, when I say that ANY man who reads, is OK in my book!
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 352
Registered: 04-2004

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Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 02:48 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Lambd,
I agree. LA kicked tail in OT. I was mostly talking about Kobe's 3-pointer that sent the game into overtime. I'm not really rooting against the Lakers. But I feel that Detroit needed that game to ensure a full 7-game series. But if LA wins tonite, I wouldn't be surprise if they don't have to play in LA again this season.


Cynique,
I share some of your disdain (or jealousy?) for the LA. But you've got to admit it: Next to the Yankees, the (Minneapolis/LA) Lakers are the best professional franchise in the history of team sports.

Now, can you slide over so Lambd and I can check out how we look in the mirror? Us effeminate male readers must look our metrosexual best. And Lambd, try my cuticle polish. It will protect your nails from chipping, which is great for when you've got to crank out an angry message to that ever-&@+*#y so-n-so Chris Hayden (Oooh! Don't you jus 'hate' him?).

Thanks hunnybunch! ~Smooches!~
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 615
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 03:21 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Lambd and Abm, hit me up on my cellie, I've got this absolutely fabulous new exfoliating cream I want to tell you about. Makes your skin just glow! Andre down at the salon introduced me to it. Isn't he just a sweetheart? Chris, you might want to check Andre out, I hear he does a really good job of trimming nose hairs.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm

Post Number: 357
Registered: 04-2004

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Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 03:49 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Oh gurl, now you know I can't just use 'anybody's' products. Cuz I've got very delicate skin. And the last creme you recommended to me made me look all ashy.

But MOS-DEF on clipping Chris' unsightly nosehairs. And lemme know if you need any help covering the tab on THAT.

Hey. You still want to go shopping together to buy shoes?
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Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio

Post Number: 483
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 04:43 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

abm: don't abuse the "mosest" name!
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Lambd
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lambd

Post Number: 136
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 11:46 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Abm, I can't go shopping for shoes with you and Cynique today. I'm getting my extensions out. But if you see a pair of chartreuse pumps, size 13, on sale, can you pick them up for me? I just but this bad metrocolored Louis Vitton handbag to carry my handcreme in, and those pumps when go darling with it...MOS_DEF!...Sorry, Yukio, I couldn't help it.
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Bookgirl
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Bookgirl

Post Number: 102
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 03:20 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Y'all so funny! LOL

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