Dead Tree Books is a small bookstore located in San Antonio, Texas. It’s owned by Lisa and Kenneth Johnson, two book lovers who want nothing more than to provide novels and stories to others.
When interviewed by FOXSanAntonio, Lisa had this to say:
“We love the feel of [books], we love reading them, we love to immerse ourselves in them.”
And they want everyone to have an opportunity to feel that same love, so they sell their books at extremely discounted prices. Paperbacks are $2, hardcovers $3, and children’s books are sold for just $1.
While great for customers, discounts this steep have proven detrimental to their business.
Lisa Johnson working in Dead Tree Books/Image via San Antonio Express-News
On July 31st Dead Tree Books tweeted out:
If you want the only bookstore on the South Side to stay where we are, please come in soon and buy something. Doesn't have to be much, just something to help us pay the past-due rent. Please.
— Dead Tree Books (@DeadTreeBooksSA) July 31, 2019
And the people of San Antonio came through by both visiting the store in person and through online orders.
Image via San Antonio Express-News
On August 1st Dead Tree Books tweeted out:
We are overwhelmed and enormously blessed today. We are touched and amazed at the outpouring of customers and online orders we have seen today. We have been extraordinarily busy all day today since we opened the doors, and we cannot thank all of you enough!
— Dead Tree Books (@DeadTreeBooksSA) August 1, 2019
We are very grateful to this donor, and to all of those who have supported us for 3 years, as well as those who are showing such outpouring of love now. Thank you, from the bottom of our heart.
— Dead Tree Books (@DeadTreeBooksSA) August 1, 2019
Image via Rivard Report
Today Dead Tree Books is still open thanks to those who showed up and put effort into making a difference. However, Lisa and Kenneth aren’t totally out of the woods just yet.
On August 6th Dead Tree Books tweeted out:
We cannot yet say we will not have to downsize/move. It is too soon for that. The initial boost has been incredible, and done a great deal to get the word out about us. But it remains to be seen if there will be enough regular traffic to keep the bills paid.
— Dead Tree Books (@DeadTreeBooksSA) August 6, 2019
We are trying to go through and thank everyone who helped and supported us here on Twitter. We will probably miss a great deal of you, because there were so many of you. It has made us cry, laugh, and just gape in amazement! If we miss you, we deeply apologize. 💜
— Dead Tree Books (@DeadTreeBooksSA) August 6, 2019
If you are in the San Antonio area and are interested in visiting/supporting Dead Tree Books, you can learn more about them here! And if you livea nywhere else in the world, support the small businesses around you!
Featured image via San Antonio Current