Brogan: Giving a Gift that Lasts!

Yesterday I stopped by Gibson's Bookstore on South Main Street. I often do this and was pleased to see the store filled with happy shoppers of all ages. It wasn't too many years ago that we were being told that the era of the bookstore was nearly over. "They said" that buying on-line would result in the demise of most bookstores. Fortunately, that has not proven to be the case. In fact, Gibson's seems to be busier than ever.

Gibson's is much more than a bookstore. It's a destination stop for many from surrounding areas of the state. It's also a great community meeting place where you can enjoy a beverage or pastry while chatting with friends and new acquaintances about world or local topics as well as the latest best-selling title.

At Gibson's you can purchase newspapers, magazines, calendars, stationary items and card as well as a wide array of paperback and hardcover books. If they don't have it in stock, they can get it for you within a few days. When it comes to customer service, Gibson's sets a standard. Their staff genuinely love books and love their customers and want your experience in the store to be not only complete but utterly satisfying. It's no wonder people return again and again.

Concord has a long history of good bookstores although nothing can beat the record held by Gibson's which has been a part of Concord for over 120 years.

Apple Tree on Warren Street was around for many years and Bookland on North Main Street and Fort Eddy Road and run by the Paulsen family, was a popular destination for several decades.

When Michael Herrmann took over Gibson's back in the early 90's, however, he set a brand new standard for what a bookstore should be and today he and the store are beloved local institutions and one more reason that Concord is both a place to live and to visit.

Gibson's is also an author's best friend. Whether you are a renowned name that is regularly on the NY Times Best-seller list or a local author looking for an opportunity to share your voice, Gibson's is encouraging, nurturing and 150% supportive of your effort. Their book events are truly "events" and knowing you have the opportunity to be a part of a "Gibson's Book Launch" is an added incentive for an author to finish that work.

Christmas came early for me when I stopped at Gibson's. I was told that my recent book, The Concord Theatre and Concord's Love Affair with the Movies had been the store's best-selling title by a local author during 2019.

It certainly doesn't mean I am a better writer than the scores of gifted local writers whose titles fill the shelves at Gibson's. Rather it means that I chose a topic that had not been fully written about previously, filling my pages with humor, heart, history and some wonderful movie titles that stirred memories for many readers.

The stories of Jacob Conn, Barry Steelman and Theresa Cantin, among others, were stories of individuals in our community who chose to own and operate movie theaters. They were not in it to line their pockets but instead to help provide local audiences with a wealth and variety of movie to entertain. Their stories inspire and resonate today as much as they ever did.

I've been approached by many who had forgotten that the Concord Theatre first brought Cheech and Chong to the city. They'd not realized that the same theater played such diverse attractions as 10, Animal House and Moonstruck. or that the biggest moneymaking musical to play the theater was the 1970 screen documentary about the 1969 Woodstock Concert. (Grease in 1978 was a close second).

Check out at this link what a Gibson's book event is about and I am certain you'll want to watch for one of their upcoming events. https://youtu.be/ohVBIfzv2mI

On the shelves of Gibson's you will find something for every taste. It doesn't need to be the holidays to justify buying a book.

Take a few hours and explore our local bookstore and discover, anew, the world of books. In a real world that is often unsettling, confusing and maddening, a book can help restore your balance.