Catholic Bookstores in the Age of Amazon

[reggieM]

Not sure where to put this, but it is Social Justice. I have to remind myself even when buying Catholic books on-line “find a Catholic retail site”. Amazon is too easy sometimes.

catholicworldreport.com/2017/06/30/catholic-bookstores-in-the-era-of-amazon/

“I don’t look at my store as a business; it is a ministry,” says Tinsley Ducote of Alexandria, Louisiana. She has run Mary’s Heart Catholic Bookstore for the last 10 years, working in the store six days a week, mostly on her own.

I didn’t know July was Catholic store month either!

Do you have a local Catholic store that you patronize?

 

[7_Sorrows]

I worry about the future of Catholic bookstores. I had my favorites when I lived in a big city. They are still open. The church closed its bookstore and I hoped when the new church was built a bookstore would return. But no such luck. They had space for one, but they decided not to have a bookstore. I like to see things in person rather than buying online.

 

[DanielStDominic]

Do you have a local Catholic store that you patronize?

Yes, our parish has a fine little bookstore. I love it very much, and all of the proceeds go to support our Dominican (O.P.) friars.

Incidentally, something that bothers me to no end about Amazon is the very poor way they often package their books. Time and again, a book will simply be placed in an oversized, bubble-wrap-lined envelope, and this will inevitably lead to dings and small bits of damage. I’ve recently been buying a lot of music books which tend be large but thin. So many have arrived in almost non-sellable condition.

Thankfully, Amazon has an excellent exchange policy and has done me right for every mishap.

ANYWAY! I just mention all of this to point out another reason to support local, Catholic bookstores: you know the condition of the book before you purchase it.

 

[anon90438963]

Yes, there are two within a mile of my home (St. Paul MN). They are both lovely stores, and do a great business. One is a bit more commercial than the other (ie. Irish imports such as sweaters) as well as statues, rosaries, books etc. I guess I am lucky to have such resources!

 

[commenter]

We used to have a Daughters of St. Paul store downtown. The store even had a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament in the back. But it closed 30 years ago. There were 2 major stores opened by families a few decades ago. But they closed in the last few years, just not enough business.

When we had a huge charismatic prayer group a few decades ago, I ran the book table, which was huge. We did a great deal of business, as did the other prayer groups, partly because we did not have any building to pay for. But when the prayer groups faded away, so did the booktables.

For me Catholic (and evangelical) bookstores were always a dream come true, I would browse to my heart’s content, spend a lot but also read a lot that was just there. I found books and authors I would never have sampled unless there was a physical bookstore.

I am tempted to order an old, now reprinted Catholic book we read over 50 years ago in Catholic school. I still remember it. But I find I can either order it from the tiny Catholic re-publisher, which sells books online too, or order it as part of a larger order of non book stuff I need to do with Amazon anyway, which also carries that book, and get free shipping. The cost of the book itself is the same but I have to pay shipping with the mom-and-pop.

Does anyone know how much Amazon charges the tiny retailers to carry their books? Does it help the tiny Catholic retailers any to order their books through Amazon, since Amazon brings the book to the attention of a larger audience? Or should I just pay the shipping charge and help the mom and pop?

 

[mdgspencer]

Small bookstores do have a problem with the existence of amazon.com. I particularly like bookstores because you can search their shelves for books you didn’t knew about, and easily look inside to check them out. Nowadays a Catholic bookstore can survive only by having appealing books in-depth on Catholicism.
One thing I am careful about. You could order books you find in a bookstore at a discount on amazon.com. And so I resist this temptation by actually buying books in that bookstore that I find there.

 

[pianistclare]

No, I buy all my Catholic books online:
Amazon, St. Mary’s Press. LTP, TAN Books, Paulist Press, Ignatius Press, St. Anthony Messenger, etc.

 

[reggieM]

I like going into a good store also. It’s great for conversation and sharing ideas on good things to get – and it’s just a great atmosphere to be a part of. I also like picking up the book and browsing. Once in a while a passage from the book will connect with me that way.

 

[reggieM]

Yes, a lot of Catholic bookstores do on-line business so you can buy from them instead of Amazon.com even though the store is in a different place from your local environment. Sometimes the price is a little higher - but I have also seen some very good sale prices at small, independent Catholic stores on-line. Or even Tan Books has some very good sales.

 

[pianistclare]

We don’t live in a high Catholic area. There is nearly zero places to buy Catholic books or goods.
But I’m on a first name basis with Kyle at Paraclete Press.

 

[reggieM]

We used to have a Daughters of St. Paul store downtown. The store even had a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament in the back. But it closed 30 years ago. There were 2 major stores opened by families a few decades ago. But they closed in the last few years, just not enough business.

When we had a huge charismatic prayer group a few decades ago, I ran the book table, which was huge. We did a great deal of business, as did the other prayer groups, partly because we did not have any building to pay for. But when the prayer groups faded away, so did the booktables.

For me Catholic (and evangelical) bookstores were always a dream come true, I would browse to my heart’s content, spend a lot but also read a lot that was just there. I found books and authors I would never have sampled unless there was a physical bookstore.

I am tempted to order an old, now reprinted Catholic book we read over 50 years ago in Catholic school. I still remember it. But I find I can either order it from the tiny Catholic re-publisher, which sells books online too, or order it as part of a larger order of non book stuff I need to do with Amazon anyway, which also carries that book, and get free shipping. The cost of the book itself is the same but I have to pay shipping with the mom-and-pop.

Does anyone know how much Amazon charges the tiny retailers to carry their books? Does it help the tiny Catholic retailers any to order their books through Amazon, since Amazon brings the book to the attention of a larger audience? Or should I just pay the shipping charge and help the mom and pop?

Great post - I totally agree and I remember visiting a Daughters of St. Paul store in Massachusetts.
It’s my guess that the small Catholic retailers will get about half from Amazon of what they get if you buy from them. So, Amazon is not that bad. Of course, if you buy used books that goes to the used dealers and amazon, so that doesn’t help the Catholic stores. There’s an on-line business called something like CatholicFreeShipping - everything is free shipping. It’s a nice family run business.
If I have time and do research and wait for a good price, I’ll go with a small Catholic business. I should spend the extra 2 bucks and do it all the time, but amazon is too quick and sometimes the prices are too hard to pass up.

 

[reggieM]

We don’t live in a high Catholic area. There is nearly zero places to buy Catholic books or goods.
But I’m on a first name basis with Kyle at Paraclete Press.

Sometimes even a parish bookstore can be a good start. But it’s great you’re giving Catholic publishers your support! I see it as something important we should do – plus we get the benefit of good books and materials from them.

 

[pianistclare]

Ha! Parish bookstore.

Riiiiiiight.

No such animal around here.
But a zillion Baptist churches, mega churches, non-denoms, and various stand alones.

 

[commenter]

Ha! Parish bookstore.

Riiiiiiight.

No such animal around here.
But a zillion Baptist churches, mega churches, non-denoms, and various stand alones.

A couple very large Catholic parishes and shrines where I live have bookstores inside. They are able to function economically because they don’t pay separate rent and utilities, and no property taxes. I think they are viable only because of gifts. People, including my wife, will go there to purchase a Catholic gift at the last second before a party. For a gift, you often want to see it in person before you buy it. Of course, when you are in the store, you might pick up a book for yourself, too.

My favorite Catholic book and gift shop is in a large mall near Syracuse. The Franciscans run it. In the front is a little store, which I am sure loses money, with a lay employee. But if you go a little farther back, there is a small chapel, where anyone can make a visit whenever the place is open. They have Mass there I think daily, and a separate room for confessions, when a priest is available (hours posted).

This is exactly the kind of drop in ministry the Church needs. While I was there, a couple employees in other businesses dropped in, for a visit. I can well imagine some former Catholics, or people considering the Catholic Faith, sort of browsing at the store a few times; then going a little farther back to the chapel; then next time maybe a little farther in, to see the priest.

 

[reggieM]

A couple very large Catholic parishes and shrines where I live have bookstores inside. They are able to function economically because they don’t pay separate rent and utilities, and no property taxes. I think they are viable only because of gifts. People, including my wife, will go there to purchase a Catholic gift at the last second before a party. For a gift, you often want to see it in person before you buy it. Of course, when you are in the store, you might pick up a book for yourself, too.

My favorite Catholic book and gift shop is in a large mall near Syracuse. The Franciscans run it. In the front is a little store, which I am sure loses money, with a lay employee. But if you go a little farther back, there is a small chapel, where anyone can make a visit whenever the place is open. They have Mass there I think daily, and a separate room for confessions, when a priest is available (hours posted).

This is exactly the kind of drop in ministry the Church needs. While I was there, a couple employees in other businesses dropped in, for a visit. I can well imagine some former Catholics, or people considering the Catholic Faith, sort of browsing at the store a few times; then going a little farther back to the chapel; then next time maybe a little farther in, to see the priest.

That sounds like an awesome place! Yes, that is exactly what we need more of - in the shopping malls or other places accessible to the public. With the doors open for a visit, confession or even just a chance to talk with the priest or religious briefly. Then the store is an added bonus to all of that.

That is true about a parish store also - it can run as a non-profit.

 

[reggieM]

Ha! Parish bookstore.

Riiiiiiight.

No such animal around here.
But a zillion Baptist churches, mega churches, non-denoms, and various stand alones.

Just thinking about it though … it might be the perfect place for a Catholic store, depending on how big the parish is (it can appeal to neighboring parishes). The Catholic people need that support especially in such a place like that. Plus, I always remember that any time we buy Catholic books or items, we’re adding to the treasury of the diocese because those things will stay around for a long while for future generations! I remember that when I see old Catholic stuff at garage sales or thrift shops – it’s the heritage of past generations and it does make a difference on the local culture.
In any case, understood that it’s sometimes just impossible to do good things due to the nature of the environment or culture where you live.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Just thinking about it though … it might be the perfect place for a Catholic store, depending on how big the parish is (it can appeal to neighboring parishes). The Catholic people need that support especially in such a place like that. Plus, I always remember that any time we buy Catholic books or items, we’re adding to the treasury of the diocese because those things will stay around for a long while for future generations! I remember that when I see old Catholic stuff at garage sales or thrift shops – it’s the heritage of past generations and it does make a difference on the local culture.
In any case, understood that it’s sometimes just impossible to do good things due to the nature of the environment or culture where you live.

I wish every Catholic church could have a bookstore of some sort. I understand you would have to find a good person or persons to run it, but I think it is important for people to know what materials are available to them to help them grow in their
faith. I am sure there are many Catholics that never get catalogues in the mail.
Our new church definitely had space for one, but chose not to include one which I
found very disheartening.

 

[pianistclare]

A couple very large Catholic parishes and shrines where I live have bookstores inside. They are able to function economically because they don’t pay separate rent and utilities, and no property taxes. I think they are viable only because of gifts. People, including my wife, will go there to purchase a Catholic gift at the last second before a party. For a gift, you often want to see it in person before you buy it. Of course, when you are in the store, you might pick up a book for yourself, too.

My favorite Catholic book and gift shop is in a large mall near Syracuse. The Franciscans run it. In the front is a little store, which I am sure loses money, with a lay employee. But if you go a little farther back, there is a small chapel, where anyone can make a visit whenever the place is open. They have Mass there I think daily, and a separate room for confessions, when a priest is available (hours posted).

This is exactly the kind of drop in ministry the Church needs. While I was there, a couple employees in other businesses dropped in, for a visit. I can well imagine some former Catholics, or people considering the Catholic Faith, sort of browsing at the store a few times; then going a little farther back to the chapel; then next time maybe a little farther in, to see the priest.

Yes. IN fact the BEST book store/gift chop for CAtholics I have ever been in is the one at Our Lady of The Angels Monastery in Hanceville Alabama.
Goodness, what a selection. what an array of items. what a fabulous price range. If you can’t find it there…they probably don’t make it.

 

[reggieM]

I wish every Catholic church could have a bookstore of some sort. I understand you would have to find a good person or persons to run it, but I think it is important for people to know what materials are available to them to help them grow in their
faith. I am sure there are many Catholics that never get catalogues in the mail.

I fully agree! Even if the hours of operation were just a couple of evenings, some volunteers I think would love that ministry. The effect would be powerful in the parish also - people really need good materials to read as well as Catholic items.

Our new church definitely had space for one, but chose not to include one which I
found very disheartening.

A new church was the perfect opportunity - but we can always hope that things will change!

 

[reggieM]

Yes. IN fact the BEST book store/gift chop for CAtholics I have ever been in is the one at Our Lady of The Angels Monastery in Hanceville Alabama.
Goodness, what a selection. what an array of items. what a fabulous price range. If you can’t find it there…they probably don’t make it.

I would love to visit there. Someday.