Charis Books and More...Independence

With independent bookstores an endangered species across the nation, not to mention the bankruptcy and recently announced demise of the Borders chain, is something of  an exception these days. Co-owners Sara Look and Angela Gabriel are optimistic their 37-year-old feminist bookstore will prevail.

In light of the Borders announcement, and also news that Midtown’s Outwrite Books recently issued a plea to customers that it is ailing and needs increased customer revenue, many Charis regulars have asked if the store is going to make it.

The answer comes in the form of a “We’re Staying in Business” sale this Saturday.

“We want to celebrate the fact that we’re still in business,” Look said.  All books and merchandise will be 10 percent off this Saturday. If you make a purchase at the store before Saturday (such as buying a copy of “Spoon Fed”), you’ll get a coupon entitling you to an additional 10 percent off on Saturday — for a total savings of 20 percent off your purchases that day.

How or why has Charis been able to weather the economic storm when reading habits are becoming more electronic- and online-based?

“We like to think of our books and our selection as curated,” Look said. “We try to be careful and intentional about what is on our shelves, so that you are going to find something that really speaks to you.”

If you go: “We’re Staying in Business” sale on Saturday, Aug. 27: 10 percent off everything, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 20 percent off everything if you make a purchase at Charis before Saturday.