“We have more work than we can do,” says Gretchen Treu, co-owner and manager of Madison, Wisconsin’s A Room of One’s Own. For safety, they have restricted the number of staff that can be in the store at once. The reduced number can barely keep up with the demand of online orders, and they have been readily keeping customers updated on their efforts via Instagram.
Nevertheless, A Room of One’s Own staff members are still making sure to express their gratitude to customers.
“If someone orders a book and we have a galley that is similar or the next one in the series, we’ll pop it in to give people a nice little surprise,” says Treu.
Customers, in turn, are expressing gratitude right back. Treu says many have been leaving messages of love for the store along with their online orders. “Someone was like, ‘I went on my first date in the store, and I’m glad I can buy books from you now.’”
Sarah Hollenbeck, co-owner of Women & Children First bookstore in Chicago, says they, too, have seen an influx of support. “The orders are pouring in,” she says. “We are overwhelmed by the customer support. . . . We are so grateful for every book order and gift card purchase.”
Like Glad Day, Women & Children First has also turned some of its events, like an author talk with Samantha Irby, virtual. They have also been encouraging customers to purchase books that the store will donate to its nonprofit partner, Chicago Books to Women in Prison.
In mid-March, Glad Day also established an emergency relief fund to benefit LGBTQ+ artists, performers, tip-based workers, and Glad Day itself. The goal of the fund is to distribute money quickly. People need it now, Erickson emphasized, and cannot wait for the government to help them. Since its launch store has raised $150,000. With 1300 people (and counting) signed up for help, though, they are still hoping to raise a whole lot more.
Stores continue to innovate on how best to sell books, too. Quimby’s in Chicago is encouraging customers to chat with them on Zoom if they want more information on any books before they make a purchase. Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café in Washington, D.C. has been delivering books through Postmates since January, but has now added every book in its store to the menu, allowing customers to get any book they want within an hour. Many stores have also been offering curbside pickup, though as distancing rules become more strict these offerings are being reduced.
At Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, the first LGBTQ+ bookstore established in the US, manager Alan Chelak worked out a deal within 48 hours of closing that allows customers to continue ordering books from the store website, but receive them directly from the store’s distributor, Ingram. This method still supports the store while cutting down on direct human contact, he says, and also ensures books still make it into people’s hands.
