Atlanta's independent bookstore scene, still scarred by the terrible loss of the superlative but overextended local Oxford chain, is in danger of another blow - and the Science Fiction and Mystery Bookshop needs your help!

Two years ago, this Atlanta fixture - known as much for its booksignings and support of the local writing community as for its quirky combination of genres and incredibly deep selection - found itself in difficult straits. After a few years teetering on the edge, the shop sent a letter to all of its customers asking them "please, come buy a book!"

This direct approach worked well - so well, in fact, that after a year's worth of improved sales, the owners of the SF/Mystery Bookshop felt so much better about their chances that they sent out a follow-up letter saying, "thanks, we're out of the woods!"

That letter went out September 10, 2001.

As you can imagine, 9/11's blow to the economy hit small businesses particularly hard - over the past year I have learned that many Atlanta restaurants and clubs teetered on the edge of collapse, and some, like the handmade leathercraft shop Warlords, closed altogether. After one good year the SF/Mystery Bookshop was able to survive, but after a full year of struggle was back at the brink of collapse.

So they are appealing for help again - and they need it soon. The shop is located on Cheshire Bridge about halfway between the highway and Piedmont (in sight of the Chamber, in fact :-) and isn't too hard to find:

The Science Fiction & Mystery Bookshop, Ltd.
2000-F Cheshire Bridge Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
(404) 634-3226

So to all readers of the Library - drop by and buy a few books, damn it, so we won't lose another independent!
-The Centaur