More than just The Bookstore

February 27, 2011 • Posted in Beth Finke, blindness, book tour, Flo, Uncategorized by

Flo’s voice rang out from the phone early yesterday morning. “Your friend Jenny Fischer’s picture is on the front page of the Tribune! It’s a really big picture, too!” The photo in the Chicago Tribune accompanied a story about the success of some independent bookstores, and it opened describing the store where my longtime friend Jenny works: The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn, Ill.

The store is one of about 50 independent retail booksellers in the Chicago area. Not too long ago, all of them and the other roughly 4,000 independents across the U.S. were supposed to vaporize. By some estimates, more than 2,000 did.

But about 1,500 survived. And through a mix of obsessive attention to detail, lean inventory, an embrace of technology and resourceful salesmanship, they hang in there.

The photo shows Jenny helping a customer with a book selection, something she has enjoyed doing for years. Long before she even started at The Bookstore, I always knew to go to Jenny for a book recommendation. We met when I was 13 years old. I tagged along with a friend to a slumber party at Jenny’s. She was Jenny Foucre than, and I’ll never forget walking into their house. Her father was a handsome man with an exotic first name: Jacques. Her mother, Suzanne, was a stand-out blonde. I was mesmerized. Books were everywhere. The shelves went from floor to ceiling, packed with so many titles that the books spilled out onto end tables and countertops. “My mom loves to read,” Jenny shrugged.

As years went by I got to know Jenny’s mother and father and all the other colorful members of her family. I became especially close to Jenny’s sister Jill. The two of them stuck with me when I lost my sight. They took a 150-mile drive with their kids to visit after Gus was born – they were worried about me, and with good reason. Over the years they’ve invited me to parties, welcomed me at their kitchen tables for late night talks, and best of all: they’ve always treated me the same way they did before I lost my sight. Our children are all grown now, and when we meet these days we share a bottle of wine, catch up and talk…about books.

That's Jenny with Hanni and me at The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn.

That's Jenny with Hanni and me at The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn.

The Tribune article quoted some expert saying bookstores are still the most powerful way to connect a reader with a book. He also predicted that the independent bookstores that have survived the recession will continue to thrive. From the story:

That’s pretty much how Shannon Stevens perceived it one afternoon this week at The Bookstore. She and her daughter, Katherine, 4, were hanging out waiting for Dad to arrive on the train from work.

“They’ve survived because they’re responsive to their customers and the staff knows their books,” Stevens said.

Jenny arranged a book signing at The Bookstore when my memoir, Long Time, No See came out. The line was out the door. Her review of my memoir for Book Sense helped put Long Time, No See on the map. She has lugged books to countless events in Chicago and the suburbs for me to sell and sign. She drove me to Springfield to the Illinois Library Association conference when Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound debuted. She flew with me to New York City and guided me through the 2007 Book Expo at Javits.

Jenny and her sister Jill have been wonderful friends to me over the years, and I have their parents Suzanne and Jacques to thank for that. Suzanne died unexpectedly in 2009. We all miss her, but her spirit lives on through her daughters — and through their love of books. These days when people ask me if my friend Jenny still works at that little independent bookstore in Glen Ellyn, I just shrug my shoulders and say of course she does. “Jenny loves to read.”

Lauren On February 27, 2011 at 12:02 pm

Sometimes it seems silly to leave a comment when all you really have to say is, “Wow, Ms. Finke, you are in the right business!” But that is my comment. I feel like little Lilly, Kevin Henkes’ charming mouse of “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” (which, incidentally, I discovered before it hit the big-time, in, you guessed it, an independent bookstore): “‘Wow,'” she said. That was about all she could say. ‘Wow!'”

susie On February 27, 2011 at 2:43 pm

I am looking forward to visiting Jenny and her book store. Thanks for telling us about her. I enjoy Glen Ellyn very much even though I’m not familiar with her book store. I’ve probably walked by it and didn’t realize it was there, as I am blind,as well. Jenny sounds like a wonderful person and friend and look forward to meeting her.

Bob On February 27, 2011 at 7:25 pm

I feel fortunate to have an independent bookstore nearby. I hope the guy in the story is right, and our bookstore continues to thrive.

Margie On February 28, 2011 at 10:27 am

Beth- That was such a sweet post. Count me in on the Jenny Fischer fan club. I am just so darned lucky to work with her. – Margie

bethfinke On March 1, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Hey, and blog readers — if you link to Margie’s name above you get to the “Just the Bookstore” blog — lots of great book suggestions.

Jenny On February 28, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Jenny sounds like a lovely person and a great friend, the kind everybody should have.

bethfinke On March 1, 2011 at 5:54 pm

And she has a wonderful name, too, right Jenny?!!

Maria On February 28, 2011 at 10:29 pm

I love bookstores and no matter what, I totally appreciate the ones that are independently owned and can spend hours in them. Kudos to Jenny! And how lucky you are to have such a fantastic friend, Beth. You don’t get much better than that in life.

bethfinke On March 1, 2011 at 5:55 pm

Thanks. I agree!

elizacooper On March 1, 2011 at 10:51 am

Aww, this post makes me want to go hang out there. Too bad I’m not in the area.

bethfinke On March 1, 2011 at 6:06 pm

Well, if you ever come visit Chicago, we’ll make The Bookstore a stop on your tour.
And again, for my blog readers: if you click to Eliza’s name above you will link to her web site and blog. Here’s a tip, too: I’ll be publishing a guest blog post by Eliza here soon. I met her at the Seeing Eye — she was there training with a new dog when i was training with Harper. she is a social media consultant and I’ve been using her services. Stay tuned to learn more.

Carl On March 1, 2011 at 2:26 pm

Three cheers for independent bookstores! I shop in them whenever I can, so much more pleasant and satisfying than sitting in front of a computer and ordering from a web site. It doesn’t always cost more, either, when you consider shipping. And on the occasion it is a bit more expensive? Well, I say it’s worth it.

bethfinke On March 1, 2011 at 6:07 pm

Amen.

My left foot « Safe & Sound blog On June 20, 2011 at 9:15 am

[…] sister Jill picked Harper and me up and took us to breakfast near The Bookstore the next morning: Harper’s first ride in a convertible. I hobbled with them to The Bookstore […]

My Left Foot « visionthroughwords On September 17, 2011 at 9:17 am

[…] sister Jill picked Harper and me up and took us to breakfast near The Bookstore the next morning: Harper’s first ride in a convertible. I hobbled with them to The Bookstore […]

Marcel’s belle « Safe & Sound blog On October 5, 2011 at 1:33 pm

[…] that night. I. Can’t. Wait. I spent countless nights hanging out at Chez Foucré with Jill and her sister Jenny when we were teenagers. Their dad was a handsome man with an exotic first name: Jacques. Their […]

Help! I’m lost in the bathroom « Safe & Sound blog On May 8, 2012 at 10:00 am

[…] knew which end to put in the key slot to get into my suite. Dean’s wife (and my high school pal) Jenny Fischer came along as the doorman led us down the hallway to my suite, and the two of us burst out laughing […]

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