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Show ( 12 LIFE FORUMFORTNIGHTLY.COM The King's English Bookshop Standing strong for local businesses in a world of super stores Stephen Cook Contributing Writer With expert service an differ- bookent from mega-cha- in stores and websites, the Kings English Bookshop, located just a few blocks northeast of campus, is a unique local busi- ness. With the slogan matching readers to books since 1977, the owner and employees of the Kings English are quick to make sure the book purchased is the right book for that customer. We wanted a place where people could sit in chairs and browse through books, owner Betsy Burton said. And talk about books to people. If you work here, you dont get to recommend whatever book you like. Your job is to find out what kind of book the customer likes and match it. Walking into the Kings English is almost like walking into the Flourish and Blotts bookstore from the world of Harry Potter. The paths between shelves wander through small rooms, each packed from wall-to-wand with books of every kind. DawnAnn Owens, 45, wandered into the Kings English ten years ago and has felt right at home ever since. At first, she was merely a customer, but soon she became for the holia days and finally was hired as a bookseller. all gift-wrap- floor-to-ceili- ng per People say they love to come in here because we love to talk about books, Owens said excitedly. If you like to talk about books, youre drawn here. You see what different people like. Because the Kings English is limited in space, theyre unable to stock the kind of selection of the chain stores. Burtons knowledge of her customer base is key in helping the store compete in the world of bookselling. But thats not always an easy process. A person will be attracted to something, said Owens, explaining the process of finding books for customers. And that might be a good book for that person and not such a good book for another person. And if the process doesnt yield a book thats in stock, the journey to find the right book for the customer doesnt end. Often the Kings English will be able to order the book from the publisher. Aaron Cance has 14 years of experience in the bookselling business, most of it at Barnes 6c Noble. But about three years ago, a friend told him The Kings English was hiring and knowing the stores reputation, he jumped at the chance to work there. A big store like Barnes 6c Noble tries to cater to the broadest customer base, Cance said of the selection. The Kings English is more particular about the types of books they carry, and has built a good reputation on that. People come here because they know they wont walk out with a dud book. If a book a customer wants is booksellers will turn the customer to Cance, who will search the Internets many obscure rare book sites. Chances are, Cance will find the book at a great price and good condition. For Cance, knowing what a customer wants and helping them is out-of-pri- nt, The Kings English Bookshop on 15th East prides itself on being able to find the perfect book for any extremely important. Its possible to get to know your customer base better here, Cance explained. They make every effort to do that at Barnes 6c Noble, but what you find there are a lot of custom- who slip in, buy their stock, and slip out without really talking to people. Here, because it ers Utah, an organization of over 2,500 businesses across the state that educate the public about the financial benefits of supporting local businesses. In 2009, Burton traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with President Obama to discuss health care for small businesses and the importance of small smaller operation, everyone business advocacy. For Owens, supporting local who comes in is noticed. Burton and all the em- businesses is not only important ployees of the Kings English to the economy of a community believe that the stores envibut also the distinctiveness of a ronment and customer service city. come from being locally owned. When you travel to differAnd each one of them is pasent cities, its starting to become sionate about the importance of so homogenized, said Owens. local businesses. Im going to go to Chicago and go to the Gap or the PotBurton is the Local Chair and Board of First tery Bam or all the same stores. is a reader. Cities used to have their own unique local flavor. We want to make sure we keep things like that alive in our community, so we can all support each other and make a living. And the Kings English Bookshop is certainly one of the unique local flavors of Salt Lake City. Even aside from the quick, thorough and attentive customer service and the look of the store, it holds numerous and readings, along with book discussion groups. The stores newsletter, the Inkslinger, even offers reviews of new books from the stores employees rather than critics. one-of-a-ki- book-signin- gs co-foun- Latin See KINGS ENGLISH on Page 14 Club Promoting awareness and voice to Latinos at Westminster Collegs w ; THE KING'S ENGLISH It f U. TrViC'v BOOKSHOP 1511 S. 1500 E. 801-484-910- 0" wvvw.kingsenglish.com nd Vn J-- The Latin Club invites the students at Westminster College to take pm in our mission to spread diversity a campus! Latin loin the dub in our upcoming events for the 201 school Our first will take on meeting year. place Thursday, September 15th at 8 pU c? XX ill ,, if i, |