Michelle Dim-St. Pierre
Michelle Dim-St. Pierre
  • Home
  • About Michelle
  • Books
    • Bloody Coffee
    • Pinnacle Lust
  • News & Reviews
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Buy The Books
    • Pinnacle Lust
    • Bloody Coffee
  • Home
  • About Michelle
  • Books
    • Bloody Coffee
    • Pinnacle Lust
  • News & Reviews
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Buy The Books
    • Pinnacle Lust
    • Bloody Coffee

BLOG

BOOZE & BOOKS

7/26/2016

4 Comments

 
​A few weeks ago, I wrote about Barnes & Noble’s and the changing state of bookstores. The major bookseller is clearing its shelves of books to make room for newspapers, greeting cards, even CDs and DVDs. After receiving great feedback from my loyal readers, I’ve quickly learned that I’m not the only one who is interested in bookstores and the direction they are heading. I decided to focus more on how bookstores across the nation are changing…and stumbled across an interesting tidbit.
 
The headlines are out: Barnes & Noble has announced that it will start selling beer and wine in its stores in an attempt to lure customers back.
Picture
​Yes, you read it right. In addition to an expanded food menu at Barnes & Noble’s in-store café, the bookseller will start to sell beer and wine in four locations beginning in October—in Eastchester, NY, Edina, MN, Folsom, CA, and Loudon, VA. This decision came after Barnes & Noble revealed that it’s facing hemorrhaging losses because of Amazon’s monopoly of the market, and this new move is in an attempt to avoid following Borders into bankruptcy.
 
I’m not quite sure what to think, though. I’m already leery about encouraging customers to read books in the café before purchasing them, and adding beer and wine to the menu seems to take the next step in that direction. What happened to the bookstores that were only focused on selling books? Barnes & Noble’s recent decision—although I understand their desire to do something in the face of bankruptcy—seems like a move of desperation.
 
The society we live in doesn’t leave many options for Barnes & Noble. It seems that the only things left to draw people are food, alcohol and giveaways. And quite frankly, booksellers are not far behind—they already utilize food and giveaway events… so now what’s left is alcohol. 

​But what about reading? Gone are the days that people entered a bookstore only in search of a book…not a movie, a CD, or a treat.
Picture
Perhaps I’m a traditionalist who believes that bookstores should sell only books—not treats, CDs, movies, toys, records, calendars, or beer and wine. But I guess I’m wrong, because Barnes & Noble’s stock rose and Amazon’s stock fell in the days following their announcement. Perhaps there’s hope yet for Barnes & Noble’s survival against Amazon—although at a cost to the company’s founding principles.
 
Personally, I find it to be a sad reflection that people have become so disinterested in reading and more so that bookstores are resorting to these drastic measures just to keep their doors open.
 
What do you think of Barnes & Noble’s new wine and beer policy? Would you now shop for more books or would you go there specifically for the wine and beer?
 
Booze and books, maybe… but drinking while shopping?
 
Michelle
4 Comments
Elaine Hernandez
7/26/2016 03:17:57 pm

I sure don't want any bookstores to go out of business, but Barnes and Noble selling beer/wine? Now, I like an adult beverage as much as the next person, but this seems extreme. I wouldn't buy more book because of this new policy. I'm not judging by any means, but it doesn't say much for today's society by incorporating this in to the mix. I admit that I do like their cafe; I can buy a new book, order a coffee or latte, and start reading my new book there. It's also a nice place to get together with a friend. Good luck, Barnes and Noble!!

Reply
Michelle Dim-St. Pierre
7/26/2016 07:50:26 pm

Great point, Elaine. I especially love that you bring up: "it doesn't say much for today's society by incorporating this in to the mix." While, like you, I do love a good cup of coffee with a good book, I can't say the same about a glass of wine - it just doesn't seem to mesh.

I love that you bring up that you buy the book before sitting down in the cafe with a cup of coffee or a snack. I think you'd love my other blog about bookstore etiquette!

Reply
Jeff Taylor link
7/31/2016 12:28:46 pm

I'm not sure that I like the idea myself but I don't think the idea is that wine consumption will sell more books as a direct relationship to drinking wine. Wine is consumed in a social context where reading is private and focused.

I would expect that the idea is that wine consumption will appeal to those searching for a more interpersonal experience and it will break down barriers to interconnection. In the context of a book store, conversation will lead to books because that would be the common connection as to why we were all there.

So if wine brings people into the store for social connection with people of similar general interests, the nexus of the the connection will be books, If this leads to positive associations it may well promote sale of books. Or more wine which will probably be a high profit item.

Reply
Michelle Dim-St. Pierre
8/1/2016 01:04:55 pm

Hey Jeff, thanks for sharing your opinion here! You sum it up very well. Your point of view is interesting… It would be interested to see where this takes B&N. I will probably blog further on this in the future.




Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    August 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014

    Author

    Michelle
    Dim-St. Pierre,
    Nurse &
    Author


    Categories

    All
    Authors
    Fiction
    Pinnacle Lust Quotes
    Writing

    RSS Feed