There’s news today that the future of Minneapolis’ Amazon Bookstore Cooperative–a mainstay of both the literary and feminist communities in the Twin Cities–is in grave doubt. This is the news story from the Pioneer Press in full:
“Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, specializing in feminist and gay and lesbian books, is for sale after 37 years in business, the store said in a press release today.
“Barb Wieser, general manager of the Minneapolis bookstore for 21 years, is leaving. None of the staff are in a position to take it over the store at Chicago Avenue and 48th Street, so the cooperative members have decided to sell.
“They hope to find a buyer by this summer who will carry on the vision of the store or recreate it into a vision of their own.”
We wish them well in their search for a buyer. The area needs all the independent bookstores it can get.–David E
Musings from Magers and Quinn 
The deaths of these independent bookstores is like the gradual chipping away of our individuality as Americans. It’s depressing and its final; the passing of an era when people could extol the virtues of being unique. In years past, Amazon Bookstore Coop fought hard against the corporate giant Amazon; given the preponderance of the big boxes, there doesn’t seem to be a way to compete for the market share. Au revoir mom and pop/mom and mom, pop and pop. C’mon people, support those independents that are still standing! Resist the urge to ‘save’ at any cost.