'It's not a great thing:' Local shops not thrilled with Barnes & Noble coming to Brunswick
BRUNSWICK (WGME) -- Barnes & Noble is opening up its second location in Maine at Brunswick's Merrymeeting Plaza.
“It’s not a great thing. I’m not celebrating it at all," Gulf of Maine Books Co-Owner Gary Lawless said.
Gulf of Maine Books opened in Brunswick more than 40 years ago. Now there’s new competition coming in.
Lawless isn’t thrilled with the national chain moving in. However, he has a loyal customer base.
“We know our customers. We can pretty much put a book in their hand that we know they’re going to want," Lawless said.
Lawless says local shops like his have a more personalized and unique atmosphere.
Ken Champeon says he is a frequent customer.
“They're usually owned by one or another character, so the local bookstore owners tend to be quite passionate about books," Champeon said.
Lawless fears they will lose some business when Barnes & Noble moves in to Merrymeeting Plaza.
“What they do have is a much wider selection than we can afford to have and the big space," Lawless said.
The executive director of the downtown association, Debora King, says while locally owned shops are the back bone of Brunswick, Barnes & Noble will be a great addition to the town.
“It’s going to be a great amenity for Cooks Corner, and even though it is a national chain, we do expect that local folks will be working there," King said.
This will be the second location of Barnes & Noble in Maine. The other is in Augusta.
