Coffee Buy the Book, an independent bookseller right down the road from my house, is closing. As I drove by the shop this evening, I noticed a large banner covering the store’s sign: “Going out of Business — Everything Must Go.”

I have only been in the store twice, and it was empty both times. Coffee Buy the Book has a warm, inviting atmosphere with places to sit, coffee (of course), and a good selection of books. It’s a nice little shop, and it is a shame to see it go. However, given that I never saw many customers, I suppose it was a matter of time before it closed.

I would like to see independent booksellers be successful, but to be honest, I do very little to support them. I order books from Amazon or purchase them at Borders or Barnes and Noble, even though Coffee Buy the Book is just down the road and is open reasonable hours. One of those things I always meant to do was become a customer at the store. I never did, and now it will be too late.

The first time I went to Coffee Buy the Book, I met a fellow Bookcrosser (I no longer participate in Bookcrossing) to chat. We sat for a long time talking and no one ever bothered us. The second time, I popped in after a meeting at Maggie’s school to see if they had any Ramona Quimby books. I found Ramona the Pest for Maggie, got a great deal on it, and left.

It’s funny. Even though I wondered how this little shop stayed in business and I liked the idea of it, I never did my part to keep it in business, and now, well, I am sad it’s closing. I suppose the least I can do is stop by before they close and see if I can help them dispose of their stock.