‘Tis the Season
‘Tis the season.
Ah, yes, ‘tis the season!
Life in the Retail Biz
The holidays are incredibly important in the retail world; for many stores, sales during Q4, as I have learned to call the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, account for up to 75% of annual revenue. As a summer tourist destination, Cape Cod’s retail picture skews towards summer sales; however, sales in the months leading up to the new year are important as they allow us to employ staff throughout the slower winter months, pay bills, and prepare for the next big season.
So, it is the season. Little stores like ours, that stay open year round, rely on customers who choose us over big box options and the lure of online sales. We know it is easier to open the computer and make holiday purchases from the comfort of home, and we know that it is often cheaper. Yet, we have a wonderful community of book lovers - near and far - who choose to support us instead. THANK YOU. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
Spreading the Love
‘Tis also the season for reasons that extend so far beyond sales. While supporting members of our community is a year-round endeavor, there are many ways to spread a much-needed extra dose of joy during the holidays. The Lower Cape Outreach Council does just this, and we are running a book drive supporting this throughout the year, with a special focus on spreading joy during the holidays.
We are running a book drive, focusing on Kindergarten-3rd graders, through December 19th for Lower Cape Outreach Council’s Santa Stop. Pick out and purchase one of your favorites - or something new - and pass on your love of reading. If you don’t have enough time, make a donation and one of our elves will make the selection. As our thank you, experience the joy of literary surprise: grab a wrapped Advance Reader Copy (ARC) for your reading pleasure. Who knows - you may end up with a copy of a 2024 best seller or your next favorite book!
Spreading the Love, Take Two
We cherish our beautiful surroundings and embrace opportunities to do what we can to care for the fragile peninsula that we call home. This holiday season, Brewster Book Store and Steven Koppel are both donating 20% of profits from the sale of Expressions of Cape Cod to the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (the region’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Cape Cod’s environment). Enjoy gifting Koppel’s breathtaking photography, which captures the Cape’s beaches and tidal flats in extraordinary evocative detail, while knowing that your purchase is supporting APCC. Bonus: with each purchase, register to be one of three winners of a matted Koppel print. Double bonus: the winners get to pick the print of their choice from the images in Expressions of Cape Cod.
Shop Small, Shop Local
We are lucky to be surrounded by lovely local shopping options. Have you been to Scargo Pottery in Dennis lately? Wandering their beautiful indoor and outdoor galleries, watching co-owner Kim Hall work her magic at the wheel, picking out gorgeous gifts of functional art, and chatting with members of our community left us inspired and fulfilled during a recent visit. Orleans’ Trove Gallery leaves us feeling equally inspired. Stocked full of art and gifts, their shelves and walls highlight the rich talent that surrounds us here on Cape Cod. And these are but two of the many, many options we can support. So, we wondered, why promote small business shopping only on the Saturday after Thanksgiving? Let’s make every day a Small Business Day. It feels good to shop small and local.
BBS Holiday Guides - Volume 1 and Volume 2
We create our annual holiday guides with you in mind. We love thinking about our customers’ widely ranging tastes and reading preferences as we narrow down our lists. Each book featured is selected with a customer in mind. Maybe one of the recs in this year’s guide was picked for you! We had so much fun this year that we published two volumes. Of course, the books and gifts that end up in the guide are just a small sample of what we have in stock; plus, what we love most of all is helping you find matches for everyone on your list. Please stop by or give us a call if you would like some help this holiday season.
Solstice Season
Shop local, shop small, share love, support others… all of that as the daylight gets shorter, calling us to slow down, suggesting reflection, reminding us to take stock on the year. We hope you are able to make time to breath, light candles, and soak in the beauty around us. Isn’t Cape Cod extra magical this time of year, perfect for wandering the beaches and enjoying the solitude of National Seashore trails? Prefer to stay cozy indoors? Grab a themed book and snuggle up with a cup of tea from Cape Cod & Island’s Tea.
Winter Solstice - Nina MacLaughlin
Winter Solstice - Rosamund Pitcher
Winter: A Solstice Story - Kelsey Gross (author) and Renata Liwska (illustrator)
However you choose to spend your time, may your days fill you with light, hope, and happiness. Sending abundant gratitude and love to the widespread members of our Brewster Book Store community.
