Indie Bookshop Opening in Underserved Pennsylvania Market

Even in the face of declining revenue, there is no better time to open an independent bookshop.

Phoenixville, PA (PRWEB) June 16, 2005 -- Suzanne Kelly, former General Manager of the legendary Genes Books in King of Prussia, will open her store in Phoenixville, PA on July 1, 2005. Kelly caught the bookselling bug while working for Genes and has spent ten years preparing for this occasion. Since November 10, 2000 (when Genes closed), I have been cultivating this idea-meticulously moving forward to continue Genes independent booksellers spirit", she states.

In a time when the revenues of the bookselling industry are declining, one group, the independent bookseller, savors steady growth. Kathy Simoneaux, owner of Chester County Book & Music Co. says the superstores have already done their aggressive approach and passed over corners of the country, so this is a great time to open in underserved markets like Phoenixville." In the late 90s, the solid market share that independents enjoyed started to erode. The diversity in titles available narrowed to what the chains wanted to promote and therefore, the discovery of new authors slowed down. It was an uncertain time for us, but I knew that the character of the independent bookseller, the passion we have for all published works, and the personal service we provide our customers would restore its popularity", says Kelly.

And their status is rebounding according to research compiled by Ipsos BookTrends. In a syndicated study, they report that independent bookstores 2004 sales increased both in dollars and units sold, capping a 3 year period of sustained growth. The independent bookstore and small chain segment of the book market remains a vibrant and important part of the retailing landscape," said American Booksellers Association CEO Avin Mark Domnitz. The American reading public continues to look to the independents to discover new books of quality and as a primary source for the knowledgeable servicing of all their book buying needs."

Excellence in customer service is the cornerstone of Bridge Street Bookshop. Kelly calls on her extensive knowledge of titles, the feeling she gets from what she reads and the relationship she builds with customers to recommend books and service her customers needs. Barbara Meade, owner of Politics & Prose Books & Coffee in Washington DC states its a great time for independent minded women who want to offer the public an alternative to mall stores to get into this business". For 20 years, quite a few women have succeeded in running businesses that are both profitable and very customer friendly."

For more information about Bridge Street Bookshop, Suzanne Kelly or the Grand Opening, please contact 610-933-5064.

About Bridge Street Bookshop: Bridge Street Bookshop, located at 214 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA, is an independent general retail bookstore specializing in unique services not found in any bookstore in the area: out-of-print book searches and foreign newspapers & magazines, providing for the book needs of the community. Stock includes both hardback and paperback best sellers, fiction, and non-fiction, including: cookbooks, travel, childrens books, religious, psychology and self-help, science, business, health, etc. Sidelines will include high quality stationery, wrapping paper, greeting cards, book lights, and bookmarks.

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