This Ain't Your Grandparent's Bookstore

By David Lingholm for the Detroit Regional News Hub

From an entrepreneurial standpoint, you might think Salathiel Palland is fighting an uphill battle. She’s starting an independent bookstore at a time when big booksellers are struggling, people are going online to purchase books instead of going into a store and devices like the Kindle are threatening to make physical books obsolete.

Yet, she feels like she is in the right business at the right time. Her niche is Victorian Steampunk with a particular fondness for all speculative fiction. It seems Metro Detroit is a hotbed for both, especially given the size of the World Steam Expo held last May in Dearborn.

And that’s what has her friend Arica Jones certain this bookstore will work.

“The people I’ve talked to so far have said, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s something for us. There’s an environment for us to be in. There’s someplace beautiful and enriching and positive right around the corner in Farmington,’” gushed Jones.

That community has been enhanced by the presence of social media. It has allowed enthusiasts to share experiences regardless of physical boundaries, which has been great for building the community. Yet even a strong virtual community needs a gathering place according to Steampunk enthusiast Diane Perry.

“Consider that this Steampunk genre has benefited so greatly from social media and how Generation Xers are taking it on; that’s really how we communicate,” said Perry. “You’re able now to go someplace and have this incredible, interactive experience that takes you away from that reliance on the technology. The store is one of those places where you can bring everyone together and see it all happen.”

While Palland has yet to open her doors, starting a bookstore has been an eye opening experience. She discovered the process to get a license to sell tea was fairly complicated and time consuming. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to starting this business was finding a location for the store, so her advice to would-be business owners is look at several options. continued

Tags: bookstore, david lingholm, dearborn, mi, detroil, salathiel palland, world steam expo

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Comment by David Lingholm on September 16, 2010 at 5:06pm: I'll hopefully be invited back to the grand opening, so I'll get some for you then!

Comment by Guy Brenner on September 16, 2010 at 5:03pm: I had never hear of Steam Punk so here's the definition from WorldSteamExpo.com:
"Steampunk is the science fiction of the steam age, re-imagined with the advantage of modern hindsight. Drawing upon the wealth of historical technology and the scientific fantasies of the Victorian and Edwardian periods, steampunk seeks to reinvent modern wonders such as the computer as the people of the age might have envisioned them. Following in the footsteps of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells, steampunk authors blend history, science and imagination into a world of wonder that might have been."

I would love to see photos.

Comment by David Lingholm on September 11, 2010 at 11:23am: Damir-
That was the cool thing about her concept, she let active members of the Steampunk community help shape the concept. She knew she wanted to do a bookstore but instead of starting with the location or products, she started with the community first. Let me tell you, her two friends that I interviewed are PUMPED for the store opening. He has two built-in cheerleaders and the physical location hasn't been completed yet.

Comment by damir perge on September 11, 2010 at 11:12am: I've bought a lot of books in my life. Mostly non-fiction (business, complexity science, film production, art, etc.). I have bought it online (Amazon) and offline (Borders, Barnes & Noble.) My point is that consumers will buy books if the mood strikes them online or at the store but obviously it depends on the atmosphere. If this bookstore is going to make, it has to sell the "experience and atmosphere" factor. At the end of the day, no matter how digital we all are, people still have a need to meet face to face with people. So, based on what I've read so far, it is the experience that will enable the store to make it.