Dear Joey,

I thought you might want to hear about a funny coincidence and just one example of how GMG shop local initiative is impacting small businesses.

I found intriguing Paul Morrison’s recent review about the book Moby Duck, written by Donovan Hohn, and thought it would make a great gift for a friend. I placed an order at Toad Hall and stopped in yesterday afternoon to pick up my copy of Moby Duck.  While browsing the books at Toad Hall a woman coincidentally stopped in (Debbie I believe is here name) and asked if they had a copy of Moby Duck. She is a regular reader of GMG and had read about Moby Duck on GMG. Because Paul mentioned in his review that both Toad Hall and The Bookstore of Gloucester had been given a heads up about stocking Moby Duck, she was hoping Toad Hall had a copy. They did have a copy in stock and she purchased a book on the spot!

Shopping local is especially meaningful to booksellers. I know from speaking with my publisher and local booksellers that booksellers are having a very challenging time competing against mail order giants such as Amazon. Some people actually browse a book in a bookshop and then scan the bar code and purchase elsewhere. I am thankful that here on Cape Ann we have not one, but three book shops (including Dogtown Book Shop), and unlike many communities, we have a genuine Main Street. Thanks Joey for all that GMG is doing to help local Cape Ann businesses and artists!