May 6, 2020: As many stores around the country are struggling for survival during the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic, now might be a good time, as challenging as it is, to look at the current business model of independent bookstores and ask: Do we want to go back to the old model or could we start imagining and building a better future for independent bookstores and people who are committed to them? Could we do some things differently going forward?
Hear from the CEO and management team at Kepler’s, a world-famous bookstore based in Menlo Park, CA. Eight years ago, the Kepler’s team decided to chart a bold new course and engaged their community to transform Kepler’s into a Next Generation Bookstore. Many didn’t believe their audacious goals – paying living wages, building a strong financial foundation, and Amazon-proofing their business. They share their journey, their approach, their results, how they are faring during the current crisis, and their plans for the future.