Powell's has re-opened!

For the moment, opening days/hours are more limited than before. They'll be open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am until 7pm.

I went on Saturday and had a good time.

>1 lilithcat: Thank you!

Great news!!!

I went to Powell's today and it was busy, with boxes all over, and the shelves were packed with books. I then went to Seminary Co-op and that seemed empty, of both customers and books. It's clear they're not replacing books that have been sold. I didn't get to 57th Street books this time--is it as full of gaps as Seminary Co-op?

>4 kac522:

I've only been to 57th Street Books once since they re-opened, so I can't say.

But I think you must consider that both 57th Street and Seminary Co-op are operating under different constraints than is Powell's. Powell's is a used book store. People bring in books to sell, and have been doing so throughout the pandemic (all that de-cluttering!).

Seminary's stores, on the other hand, are suffering from global supply chain issues (fewer workers, closed ports, etc.). Which is why we've been warned to pre-order forthcoming books, and should have already ordered those we want to give for Christmas. Used book stores don't face the same problems.

>5 lilithcat: Yes, I understand they have different issues, but I guess the Co-op seemed so reduced in inventory, that I'm worried that they'll close altogether. The last time I was there (maybe in late Spring/early summer?) it didn't seem as bad as today. Which is why I was wondering how the other store was faring. Next time I venture south, I'll pop in there, too.

>6 kac522:

If you really want to see a place with low inventory, go to the Art Institute Museum Shop. It's very scary, hardly any books at all.

>7 lilithcat: Wow. The last time I was there (2 years ago??) it seemed they'd put the books near the back and the gift-y stuff in the main part of the store. Only books about current exhibitions were prominently displayed.

I was thinking of going to the Newberry's shop; wonder how they're doing.