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September 01, 2005
Support The Independent
Yesterday, nona almost CIPed -- Cried In Public. Walking past my favorite bookstore, Keplers, I noticed it was locked with a sign in the door. Keplers -- one of the best independent bookstores in the Bay Area, if not the country -- had closed its doors for business. Please bare with me, supportive reader, as I get up on my soapbox... If we want to keep ourselves from being swallowed by uniformity and huge corporations we need to support independently run businesses -- be it a local retail store or an independently owned Internet site. Buying something for the cheapest price is not always the best choice. It's worth spending the extra money to preserve the diversity, creativity, and excellent service that often accompanies independent businesses.
In knitting news, I've been enjoying lots of knitting time this week as I sit on my butt and watch the US Open tennis tournament. Let me tell you, TiVo has greatly -- and I mean greatly -- improved my viewing pleasure. I record the tennis and then watch, and skip, the matches at my leisure. Tonight I finished the back of my tie front cropped cardigan as I watch James Blake hit some awesome shots.
The picture doesn't do the subtle colors justice, so use your imagination!
September 1, 2005 in nonaThoughts, Project - Cropped Cardigan | Permalink
Comments
Nona I completely follow your point on independant business! Buying only price and mass production is killing ourselves. This is true in many respects. Since a couple of years I've grown rather upset with the food industry; as a result I found my way back to the fresh markets and small grocery shops: not only is it more fun, but I eat much less junk food!!
Cheers from Brussels!
Posted by: Sophie | Sep 2, 2005 12:22:25 AM
I work at an indie bookstore -- thanks for your thoughts and support for local businesses!
And I enjoy your blog, Nona, so thanks for it, too!
Posted by: Jane | Sep 2, 2005 3:22:42 AM
Owning a very small soap shop myself, I couldn't agree more =) Thanks for your support Nona!
Posted by: Anna | Sep 2, 2005 5:59:11 AM
I share your pain, my favorite independent bookstore, Wordsworth in Cambridge, closed this past year after being in business my whole life. This is the bookstore I met my husband in. It bums me out every time I walk by the empty storefront.
As my mom and the rock boys I knew in college would say- you have to support your local scene!
Posted by: Erin | Sep 2, 2005 7:44:08 AM
I too love independent bookstores and support them all the way.
I do have a question regarding the slant decreases for armholes. I am knitting a cardigan and finished the fronts. I am knitting the back now and wondering if i could do it the nona way.I also have a pattern to follow so it is confusing me. ie after decreases do I yo or not help!!!
Posted by: Marie | Sep 2, 2005 10:47:19 AM
I'm in agreement w. you about the independents - fantastic you put in a few words calling for support! That is very surprising and sad news to hear of Keplers - they and the Cafe Barone are/were a huge reason to take a ride out of town to a pleasant destination.
Posted by: Terry | Sep 3, 2005 3:02:52 AM
The news of Kepler's closing makes me sad. I was there last weekend. My husband and I were visiting relatives who had just moved to the area. They were so proud to show us this bookstore and we spent hours browsing about. I bought a book there not because I needed it, but because I support independent bookstores in the face of the Barnes and Noble-ization of our world. Here in DC we have only a few indie stores, Politics and Prose is my fave. When we support local stores with our dollars--be it LYS, farmers markets, or bookstores, we can help keep these treasures of community alive. I'm sad that Silicon Valley was willing to let an icon go.
Posted by: Picoletta | Sep 4, 2005 3:17:06 PM
Nona, the rally to support Keplers will be in the Cafe Borrone/Keplers plaza this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 6pm. See news story for info:
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=1725
--Tracy
Posted by: Tracy Jen | Sep 5, 2005 12:40:10 AM
This is such a good soapbox to get on! Thanks for bringing it up.
Posted by: Purly Whites | Sep 6, 2005 11:27:49 AM
Oh, no! I grew up in Palo Alto, and Keplers- not the nearby Stanford mall- was my hangout in junior high and high school, and college vacations. I've seen that area change so much sinch I went away to college- every time I go home, I'm shocked at what downtown and California Avenue have become (no more Printer's Inc either!). I know I'm a couple of days late reading this news, but it makes me really, really sad.
Posted by: Mary-Heather | Sep 9, 2005 9:26:24 AM
I had no idea about Keplers! I grew up in MP and remember Keplers in various locations on that stretch of El Camino (and the cats that used to lurk near the children's section two locations ago). We would also see the older Kelper frequently at Draeger's (which I suspect is where your deli sandwich came from). I am so sad to hear of their closing. They were always a meeting place and offered the strongest sense of community in MP. It would truly be a loss to the town and to the independent bookseller coalition if Keplers were really gone. Thanks for letting us all know.
Posted by: Gwyn | Sep 9, 2005 6:16:18 PM
Oh boy. I have never been there and I only visited the area once on business, but I totally agree. Spend a few extra dinero and keep local places open. My Mom has a business and people say all the time, "I can get it at big box store cheaper." They probably can get it cheaper. They don't understand it's just one little store, not 500 big box places negotiating prices. It's a shame we are losing main street USA.
Posted by: Rose | Sep 9, 2005 11:12:00 PM
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