Enchanted Books — Local services in Quincy

ETA - This is the day of the Banned Book club I signed up for. There is not only no email reminder, the store’s website doesn’t even list the time. I don’t think they want me there.

I'm happy to see a local independent bookstore as a transport to the area, and I just joined their book clubs. Even though I've read the banned book a hundred times I can't find a copy, and I'm also sure they are doing this club to drive business, so I went in this morning to buy a copy. I went in about 15 minutes after opening. The owner or worker was at the register facing the door as I walked in. No greeting. They were not counting a drawer or otherwise engaged, but still, no greeting. I walked all the way around the store looking for this book and was never asked if I needed help. I persist, and find the book in a feature section instead of by author, grab it and bring it to the counter and am acknowledged for the first time. "Find everything ok?" "Yeah I just joined your book clubs and realized I should buy another copy of this month's book because I can't find it. I suppose it's one of those you have to buy every 15 years or so." Smirk, giggle. No, "I love this book too," no, "I'm so glad you found us/ our book clubs," no nothing until Do you need a bag?

I'm maybe taking things too much to heart but I was really discouraged. I can get the book anywhere. I spent at a local business hoping for more. I hope the store's Clubs are better than the chilly atmosphere I just...

I wanted to support locally, so even though it required much more planning and effort, I decided to make my purchase here instead of Amazon. I struggled at the door to get my wheelchair through since the doors are not automatic and one wheel turned and didn't want to easily go over the metal lip at the door. Neither of the two ladies at the register (with no customers) came to assist. It was embarrassing and exhausting bumbling about in the door frame like a bull in a China shop. Once I was through, I was abruptly informed that the store was closing at 5 (it was 4:40). No smile, no greeting. I actually got the feeling she would have preferred I just turn around and leave. But, I had 20 minutes, knew what I wanted, and had gone to the trouble to unload my wheelchair and fight my way through the doorway and had done it all with the explicit purpose of supporting local, small business. I grabbed the book and, having time, browsed another category. I was then told, in an abrupt, unfriendly tone, "we close in 10 minutes." It was quite off-putting, honestly, and I almost put my books down and left. I was going to ask (in my remaining 9 minutes) about pre-ordering a book that's coming out in December but decided I'd done my part and will just order it off Amazon. I won't say I'll never go back, but I certainly won't be going out of my way to do so instead of taking the more convenient route. Much sadness as I love bookstores and want to see...

Our family was on the way back home from vacation and stopped by this bookstore so my daughter could get some more books of the series, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". The very first thing we were greeted with was "please be careful with your drinks", which I and my husband were carrying as we entered the store. Right away, this kind of greeting made us feel unwelcomed and uncomfortable. As we walked in the store, I looked back at the woman standing at the desk several times and she was repeatedly checking on us as we checked out the store. At this point, I felt so uncomfortable that even though my daughter found the books, I asked everyone in my party to leave right away and not touch anymore of the stuff in the shop. Thankfully, the next shop we went in was extremely friendly and welcoming, and totally turned our experience with Quincy around. If this is the kind of attitude you want when you go shopping, go and visit...