Results tagged “bookstore” from News | Tmesis Magazine

We're proud to announce that Tmesis Magazine will be distributed for free at The Raconteur, a charming little book shop on Main Street, Metuchen, New Jersey.

I can think of no better place to have our publication displayed and enjoyed. In an article from The New York Times, which features the store and its proprietor, Alex Dawson, it's described as a "literary center of gravity":

Witness [Mr. Dawson's] main gig, his attempt to start an independent literary bookstore, writers' salon and literary center of gravity in Metuchen, N.J. And, quite amazingly, a year and a half into the game, his bookstore, the Raconteur, has become slightly famous in literary circles in Brooklyn and Manhattan as well as Edison and New Brunswick, even if the jury is still out on whether anyone can make much of a living this way in the age of Amazon, Borders and Barnes & Noble. [full article]

The store opened under Alex's name not long ago, in November 2004, and has, by the looks of it, been doing fairly well. But this is not surprising, given his past accomplishments. (It's all outlined in the article.) I spoke briefly with Mr. Dawson earlier today, and he seemed happy to allow us to place our magazine. It goes to show his willingness to help out the up-starter and to rejuvenate the hopeful ideals of the independent producer.

While I was there, I also asked him if I could take a few pictures of his store.



Thought I was exaggerating about all the cool stuff, huh? If you're able, head on down and check the place out for yourself. Located a block away from the Metuchen train station and right off of Route 27 (exit 131 on the Parkway), it's not too hard to get to.

-Ray

We here at Tmesis Mag enjoy the indie scene, especially when it comes to independent book stores. There are several remaining around our areas in New Jersey, but they've rapidly been blinking out like my parents' ancient big-bulbed Christmas lights. Ever since the big cats, like Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon.com, settled in in the 1990s, it's widely been believed that independent book stores are coming upon their death throes.

This is true for all Mom & Pop shops. Maybe you can remember a time when there were still independent clothing, electronic and hardware stores that didn't have the word "mart" or "depot" in its name, or simply had a property that was less than a square acre. That was when customers would call the proprietors by name an be able to chat for a minute without getting the stink eye for holding up a massive register lane. Most of these places are gone now, but I've noticed that the independent book stores have fared far better than other types of stores in the past years. There's an article that I read that might explain why.

"Our attachment to independent bookshops is, in part, affectation--a self-conscious desire to belong a particular community (or to seem to). Patronizing indies helps us think we are more literary or more offbeat than is often the case."

Can this be true? Is it possible that we're really just buying into another trend by supporting the indy revolution? Well, sometimes, yeah! In a country full of homogeneous selections at low, low prices, it would make sense that marketing an indie off-beat culture would draw many converts, but before y'all get annoyed at me for pointing this out, let me add that I believe it's a culture worth saving. But then, of course, there are those who aren't really buying into anything; they simply enjoy the atmospheres of some of these places or they want to support the unique flavors they contribute to their communities.

We have an independent book store here in Metuchen, New Jersey called The Raconteur. (They've got a great collection of 1st editions that I would do some pretty unscrupulous things for.) The first time I went in, it felt like I was entering the book chambers of some diabolical librarian. Every bookshelf and counter was detailed with interesting things like pieces of a suit of armor, old typewriters and... yes, of course, books. Along the walls were vintage movie posters and advertisements that would really took me back. (To a time when I wasn't yet born, in most cases.) There's no wonder why it's thought of as a county-wide cultural hub; I'd hate to ever see it go, especially since we plan to promote our magazine there.

My hat goes off to the indie book store for having survived this long. Who knows - with the advent of this new indie culture, we may actually see a boom in the number of independent proprietors. Here's to hoping!

I'll have more news about The Raconteur as we continue to hash out a deal with them. After it's complete, we'll be able to tell you that TMESIS MAGAZINE IS COMING TO A STORE NEAR YOU!... if you live in or around Metuchen, that is.

-Ray

Edit: It's come to my attention that I've been spelling "indie" incorrectly. And so vanishes my credibility with a few misplaced keystrokes. Ah well, corrections have been made.