BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Village Books says their stores in Bellingham and Lynden face a double threat from the pandemic and Amazon.
Co-owner Kelly Evert says they’ve joined the American Booksellers Association “Boxed Out” campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of shopping at local businesses.
The association says independent bookstores are closing every day with COVID-19 as the cause of death and Amazon as a pre-existing condition.
Evert scoffs at Amazon’s advertised claim that it’s helping small businesses.
She says the power to level the playing field for businesses rests solely with the consumer.
And she reminds shoppers that they can shop online directly through the websites of local businesses.