Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Milwaukee's iconic, independent bookseller, will be ending an era after 82 years of business.
In the advent of mega-bookstores, Schwartz hired booksellers with a true passion for reading and a better knowledge of each book stacked across the stores' shelves. The family-owned bookstore helped to introduce myriad new writers to its patrons by hosting more than 200 authors a year for 10 years. And through this, Schwartz evolved into a destination, not just a bookshop.
Schwartz employees took time to get to know each customer; they'd select products based not on national sales plans but on their own interests and needs of their customers. If a book I needed wasn't in stock, they'd not only order it for me but would suggest similar reading as well. Seldom do you get such service at corporate chains.
But the bookstore isn't alone.
Other locally owned treasures in Milwaukee will be closing due to downward market trends, profound changes in technology and consumer habits and the economic downturn. This should remind us of the importance of supporting local businesses.
Over the past two decades, the country has seen a dramatic rise in corporate and chain retailers. Remarkably, Barnes & Noble and Borders barely existed 20 years ago, but they currently account for more than half of all bookstore sales. This has forced the closing of more than half of the independent bookstores that existed in the '90s, explains Stacy Mitchell, author of "Big-Box Swindle," a book about the rise of America's biggest retailers.
Schwartz's closing is the dismal proof that not all independent businesses, no matter how valued, can fare well against big-box equivalents. Corporate chains keep their costs low through bulk buying and centralized advertising campaigns. They offer discounts and selections that local businesses can't match. Chains also benefit from prevalence; their ability to build multiple locations gains customers because of accessibility.
While a chain's lower prices are appealing, if you track the impact your money has on the community, you'll notice that there are more benefits to buying at a neighborhood, one-of-a-kind establishment.
Money spent at independent Milwaukee businesses has a domino effect on the city. For each dollar spent in a locally owned bookstore, 68 cents remains in the community; however, only 13 cents of each dollar spent at Borders stays here, according to Our Milwaukee, a business alliance that advocates for locally owned institutions.
Additionally, local business owners tend to be more invested in the community's future. For instance, Schwartz Bookshops hosted the Schwartz Give Back program, which has donated more than $460,000 to nonprofit organizations throughout the community.
Milwaukee's unique character and local economy depend on vibrant, locally owned businesses that set us apart from other cities. In order to make Milwaukee a more sustainable community, we need to build awareness about the community benefits of choosing local.
Originally published here.
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