How A Human Chain Saved A Bookstore

Photo Courtesy: Pixabay.com

A bookstore in Southhampton, England, called October Books, could no longer afford to pay the rent for it's building.

No big deal, you might say. Most people buy online anyway.

But this is a different and unique, and basically a Never Give Up Story because the community formed a human chain to save this bookstore.

October Books is an independent bookstore that also offers organic foods and hosts events for the community. Their interest in the locals impacted the people, stirring men and women, boys and girls to come to their aid.  

After having been in their original location for 25 years and facing rising rent, the owners knew they had to leave. They searched for another building and found an abandoned bank.  Several problems rose for a timely move down the street. A stockroom filled with books had to be transported. Painting. Setting up the new store. Creative genus struck when the owner called for help from the community. 

So, when the call went out, the people came. In greater numbers than the owner imagined.

250 people, from young children to the elderly, arrived at the appointed time and formed a human chain from the original store to the new one. They passed one to two books at a time to the person standing next to them, delivering the entire stock to the new location in quick time. They laughed. They looked at the titles. They talked. And had a great time.

In these days of the Internet, where nearly everything can be purchased online or read online, or seen online, there seems to be a defusing of community. Yet, there still seems to be times when a community will band together to help.

Kudos to this Southhampton neighborhood. How about you? Has your neighborhood gathered for special times?

If you'd like to read more about this story, here is the Smithsonian link: A Human Chain Helped A U.K. bookstore move to it's new location


With the Christmas season approaching, I have two Christmas books available for you. Both on sale during the holiday season. Both fun reads. One will take you to Europe. The other will take you to the Rockies. Both are sure to entertain. 

ON SALE

CLICK THE LINK BELOW THE PHOTO

                                                    

Anders' Redemption Click Here             |       Christmas With The Enemy Click Here

This post has been brought to you by the one word: Community