Once again Barnes and Noble has upped the ante and added another reason why people should go there rather than indie bookstores.
Complimentary free Wi-Fi.
According to a B&N press release, with complimentary Wi-Fi, the local bookstore is your home away from home. Check your email, have a cup of coffee, and most importantly browse ebooks in their new online bookstore.
Oh I get it.
Questions: Do Community Bookstore, Bookcourt and the upcoming Greenlight Bookstore in Ft. Greene want to be free Wi-Fi destinations? Is that what a bookstore should be?
It can mean people hanging out using their computers. But are they actually buying books? Do the indie booksellers need to copycat what the big giant is doing or can they just keep on keeping on. Maybe people will be happy that there are still traditional bookstores that aren't Wi-Fi media centers.
I remember before the “modern era” going to barnes and Nobles on 17th street in Manhattan and sitting on the floor to read the opening chapter of a book to decide if I wanted to purchase it. Even then, the employees left me alone. I bought many books after reading one chapter in the store. Whether it be and chain store or independent, it is a beautiful thing to create a welcoming space to read, think, wi-fi and hopefully purchase.
Yes, if a place has enough space for a bit of hanging out then offer free WiFi if it is a store or coffee shop. People will spend more when hanging out. If a place is crowded and too small without much space for hanging out, I say they should not offer any WiFi, because they probably benefit more from the quick turnaround.
@RS,
You ought to try the Community Bookstore again. I’ve never had anything less than great service there.
Don’t you think we’ve lost enough mom ‘n’ pop stores on our commercial blocks already?
I am a big fan of independent bookstores and used to go to CB regularly when it was under its previous management. I stopped going because I actually get better customer service at BN. After one too many times being ignored at CB I gave up.
I am glad to see Barnes and Noble do this, I usually like the smaller bookstores but I also like going to Barnes and Noble so being able to bring my laptop there is cool. More places in NYC need to follow the lead on this.