have pretty much put all the "mom and pop" bookstores out of business. They have a larger selection, they have immense buying power little guys can't match, they often have a coffee shop, they have chairs for people to sit and read. It is not without reason they are called "category killers".

Ever go to one of those book "wholesale" stores that pop up in storefronts that have been empty for a while? They are the ones that pay minimal rent and close w/o notice. They sell out of date books and books that did not meet their sales projections and the publisher dumps. Well I recall seeing one of those "mom and pop" proprietors shopping at one for inventory! He told me he could not buy these books that cheaply from the publisher/distributor. His bookstore is long gone now.

[link|http://www.newpages.com/npguides/bookstores/northcarolina.htm|Here] is a list of "independent" book stores in Charlotte (540K population, 2000 census):

Charlotte - The Bookmark - 100 N. Tyron St #265

Charlotte - Little Professor Book Center - Park Road Shopping Ctr

Charlotte - Newsstand International - 5622 E Independence Blvd Ste 128

Charlotte - White Rabbit Books & Things - 1401 Central Ave "a network of stores serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities of North Carolina"

The first one is "Uptown" in some office building, probably tiny. The second is a "real" bookstore I have visited and know have a loyal client\ufffdle. The third is primarily a newsstand for all the foreigners. The fourth is "special interest". :) So, it's one independent bookstore for a city of over half a million?

There are some used book places, quite a few religious book places, college bookstores, and of course places that incidentally sell some books. But is that not sad?

[fixed typos]