Independent Bookstore Day to be celebrated Saturday
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MARQUETTE -- Spending money locally is important every day of the year and this Saturday is no different as April 29 marks the 10th annual Independent Bookstore Day.
Each year, independent bookstores around the country use the day as an opportunity to thank their loyal customers and to promote these small, mom-and-pop bookstores that give book lovers an alternative to mega-corporations like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
The day was established in 2013 and has been observed on the last Saturday of April ever since. This year there is more than 900 stores participating all around the United States.
Dana Welshans, owner of Marquette's Snowbound Books, says that what started as a day for bookstores has turned into a nationwide party.
"This is the 10th anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day, which is a national celebration of independent bookstores throughout the country," Welshans said. "Now it has also grown into a party. It's just a way for all of us to thank our customers for choosing us instead of just going to Amazon. Really just a way for us to show our appreciation."
The 10th anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day is also a significant anniversary at Snowbound Books, a Marquette institution for decades, as this Saturday also marks 10 years of Welshans' ownership of the store.
"It's been 25 years of me working here. I was an employee for a long time. When the original owner started thinking about retiring, he began to train me in," Welshans said. "It was a slow transition with a gentle learning curve. That's not to say that it wasn't challenging. Being a small business owner is dealing with endless minutiae that nobody sees."
Welshans said that one of the most rewarding things is getting to know and care about the customers who frequent the Third Street shop.
"We've always been lucky to have a great staff and loyal customers," Welshans said. "I've seen kids who were little when I started here, now they are bringing in their own babies. The customer loyalty is astounding."
Snowbound has some big things planned for Saturday to celebrate the dual-anniversaries. Three area authors, Carrie Pearson, BG Bradley and Amanda Chaperon, will be in the store to sign books throughout the day. A "gold ticket" hunt which will see the winner getting a free year's worth of audiobooks. Other activities, including a raffle for gift certificates will be planned as well. The raffle winner won't be the winner that day, with a library of their choice receiving a gift certificate.
"I just want to thank everyone for choosing to spend their money locally. It's what makes Marquette. Small businesses that you can't get anywhere else," Welshans said. "Thank you for coming to a place that is personal."
The celebration will take place at Snowbound Books from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.