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On Saturday, April 18, independently owned record stores around the world took part in Record Store Day, a celebration of the culture of indie record stores and the unique place that they occupy nationally and in their local communities. And, by all accounts, the second annual event, sponsored by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM), was a huge success.
If you're a book or music hound, you already know that loyal indie record store customers and indie bookstore customers are cut from the same cloth -- they're usually discerning aficionados seeking the next big thing before it becomes big, or that hidden gem that can only be found through a knowledgeable staff and an eclectic selection of product. So, it's only fitting that this year the American Booksellers Association and IndieBound will be joining with indie record stores around the globe to mark the second annual celebration of Record Store Day.
There was a time when Buffalo, New York, had a vibrant indie community. But, like so many towns and cities across the country, over the years, the economic landscape slowly changed: the city started going through the painful process of deindustrialization, jobs disappeared, many indie retailers closed, and chains moved in.
Over the past holiday season, several independent bookstores paired with other indie retailers in their communities for holiday coupon promotions. While the results of these inaugural efforts did not result in a pronounced sales increase, valuable lessons were learned, the stores garnered positive PR among customers, and those who participated believe that, with some adjustments, cross-promotions are initiatives whose time has come.
As the Senate debates President Obama's economic stimulus plan, the American Booksellers Association is calling on booksellers to contact their legislators in Washington as soon as possible to urge support for the bill's small-business provisions.
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About ABA
The American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.
Independent bookstores act as community anchors; they serve a unique role in promoting the open exchange of ideas, enriching the cultural life of communities, and creating economically vibrant neighborhoods.
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For Tattered Cover Book Store and indie record store Twist & Shout, neighbors in Denver's Lowenstein "CulturePlex," cross promotions have become a regular, and successful, way of doing business.
The 
A highlight of ABA's January 29 
On Thursday, January 29, more than 200 people gathered for