Article on the independent Brattle Bookshop in Boston, first opened in 1949 by George Gloss and still run by his son Ken.
Ken says, “”Some day, the Brattle Book Shop will be history — neither of Gloss’s daughters is interested in running it — but no time soon.” Like a most true booksellers Gloss says he will retire the day after he dies.
Ken Gloss also says that “within the next five to seven years, 75 percent of used bookstores will be gone…”it’s the real estate and the Internet. What you pay me for is to gather the books together. The Internet does that incredibly efficiently.”
Columnist Michael Lieberman adds, ” The Internet cannot replace the intangibles. It can offer the books but it can’t offer the vibe.”
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