Today, I want to share our deep appreciation to you, our community, for embracing Gramercy Books through this pandemic. You have been here for us and we will be here for you.
Many in the community have asked how we are doing at Gramercy Books, given the world in which we now find ourselves. Thanks to YOU, Gramercy Books is holding its own. We are so grateful that you, our community, continue to call, visit, purchase books and other fun items (puzzles are back in stock!), and participate in our live streamed programming.
Overseeing a business, organization, or even a household during a pandemic—with its uncertainty as new information unfolds daily—is like driving a vehicle down a mountain through a deep fog. As Gramercy Books looks toward reopening our store later in May, I believe there is a silver lining to this challenging environment.
What follows is a diary of how COVID-19 has affected one locally owned, independent bookstore located just outside Columbus, Ohio. I started keeping a diary, just to keep track of day-to-day adjustments to this unfolding crisis. It now seems like a useful guide, revealing what one small business is doing to adapt to a pandemic.
Effective March 24 through April 6, Gramercy Books will be closed to walk-in traffic, in compliance with Ohio Governor DeWine’s stay at home order. Booksellers will continue to process your online orders from the safety of their homes. We’ll continue to offer free shipping on orders of $25 or more. And we will continue to engage with you every day.
The Gramercy Books staff has scoured the store! Here’s their list of books for all ages and interests during this holiday season. Don’t forget Bexley Holiday Hop (December 8th) with 25% off all calendars that day, and our December 12th birthday party (we’re 3!!) with 20% off everything in the store, our “grand merci” for your loyal support!
Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and communities across the country. Founded by American Express in 2010 at the height of the economic recession, this day is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
In March of 2018, Gramercy’s canine mascot, Wally, picked his first recommendation for a new monthly pick we call #WallyReads. Let’s look at Wally’s 2019 picks, to date, and I’ll share a bit about why he/we picked them.
November is a time to reflect on the things that add to the fabric of our lives. Gramercy Books is grateful to be a gathering place for our customers: to support conversation and discourse, to provide inspiration and comfort, to build community, and to bring joy.
On September 5th, Gramercy Books brings Jacqueline Woodson, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, back to the Columbus area where she was born in 1963. The author of more than thirty award-winning books for readers of all ages, Woodson’s work is relevant, personal, and thought–provoking whether she writes fiction, nonfiction, poetry or short stories.
