BAILEY/COY BOOKS

Location: Seattle

Website: www.baileycoybooks.com

Founded: 1986

Key People:  Barbara Bailey started the store in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood with the idea that she could sell books catering to gays and lesbians alongside mainstream fare. The model helped endear the store to a diverse cross-section of residents, says current owner Michael Wells. He joined in 1989 as a part-time night clerk and worked his way up to manager, buying the store in 2003 when Bailey retired.

Key Innovation:  When the store took root, there was no Amazon. com or Borders, and everyone was essentially indie, Wells points out. But the core mission of the store still sets it apart. "Barbara always knew and I agreed with her that being focused on your community is key." Wells is also president of the board of directors for the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board of advisors for the Broadway Improvement Association, and a member of the steering committee for the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District.

Measure of Success:  "It's a very difficult business running a small independent storefront bookstore. Our profit margin is nothing like it was 20 years ago." He places emphasis on the quality of his employees, several of whom have full-time jobs elsewhere. "Bailey/Coy is really based around our neighborhood, and that's all we wanted to do. We never wanted to be genius retailers and spread our tentacles all over the place. I don't think any online retailer will ever achieve that kind of community presence; that's all there is to it."

Employees: 10; 4 full-time

What's Next:  Wells recently expanded the store's line of cards and stationery and plans to add more classic children's toys. "You need to provide people with a full, round experience," he says.  

A BOOK FOR ALL SEASONS

Location: Leavenworth

Website: www.abookforallseasons.com

Founded: 1992

Key Innovation:  Co-owners Pat and Ed Rutledge met in their 40s and moved to Leavenworth to start a life together. It was the right setting for Pat to fulfill her longtime dream of owning a bookstore. Though the store is not always profitable, the literarythemed Innsbrucker Inn the couple started above it helps keep the business afloat, says Pat Rutledge.

Key People:  In addition to the Rutledges, four of Pat's six children and two of their spouses have worked at the bookstore.

Measure of Success:  "We're going in the right direction," Pat says, citing several well-received community programs and a successful campaign in 2000 to lure a Starbucks into the building. She estimates her bookstore has been in the black just three or four times during the past 16 years, but says that's not what it's all about. "It's nice to walk into something you haven't seen in the mall or in the box stores. The economics of that is when you do shop local independent stores, your money stays locally. Everyone who gets a salary here lives here."

Employees: 12; 6 full-time

What's Next:  Pat Rutledge plans to improve the store's web presence and add to its programs for writers and children, but she says, "I don't think right now in this business climate that I would even consider growing."

AUNTIE'S BOOKSTORE

Location: Spokane

Website: www.auntiesbooks.com

Founded: 1985

Key Innovation:  When Chris O'Harra opened her store in downtown Spokane, there was little competition. Fast-forward several years and now there are two Barnes & Noble stores, a Borders, and three Hastings Books Music & Videos in the area.

To stay afloat, O'Harra tries to host an activity every day, such as readings, knitting classes and live music. She keeps a large inventory of works by local authors and has teamed up with the owners of a pottery store and café in the same building to draw patrons.