“Great Books, Great Minds” Weekly Book-Up
Week of September 26, 2022
I’d like to end the week with some news on the Independent Bookstore front. Our beloved BarBar here in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood just announced that it will be closing at the end of the 2022 holiday season.
Opened by trailblazing business owner Nicole Sullivan in 2021, the BookBar has been a popular locale for book lovers drawn to the store's cozy location, replete with an outdoor patio where patrons could enjoy perusing books over a glass of wine. The store even expanded, adding an event space as well as a publishing arm to support new authors in December 2020.
Despite BookBar’s sales being generally stable, Owner Nicole Sullivan in a press statement said she would not be able to keep up with a scheduled minimum wage hike.
“After pivoting countless times, rethinking everything, coming up with wild ideas, and pulling through as long as we could, the final nail in the coffin was the announcement of Denver’s minimum wage set to increase on January 1, 2023 (to $17.29 an hour). I’m all out of pivots,” Sullivan said in her announcement. “I’m certainly not against raising the minimum wage. Everyone deserves to earn a liveable salary and we’ve always been committed to paying above the standard. I only wish this business could afford it.”
“Booksellers can’t raise our prices at all. As long as publishers continue to print prices on the covers of books, bookstores have no control over our margins,” she said.
In September of 2020, as the pandemic was still raging, I paid a visit to the BookBar along with my sidekick Khrystian Niyoko to explore the deeper narrative of this iconic bookstore. And just this past April, I returned for a visit delighted to see how the store was teeming with customers as the pandemic was now waiting.
So sad to see the BookBar go for it symbolically speaks to the plight that many independent bookstores are facing throughout the nation.
Launch of New Economy, Next Chapter
Many of you know that I am not a fan of personal coaches. No offense to the amazing friends of mine who are in this space, but honestly, it seems like anyone can throw up a sign tomorrow declaring themselves a coach. All this being said, I am pleased to announce that I am launching a private client practice to assist a highly select group of transitioning individuals in determining their next moves amid today’s rapidly evolving economy.
And, as you might have guessed, this model will all be centered around how books can be leveraged for personal and business expansion. Here are some of the details:
- A series of one-on-one sessions with Michael serving as your private mentor /advisor
- The creation of a roadmap tailored to your specific aims and ambitions
- A mutually agreed upon book that serves as a learning guide for our work together
- Journaling to capture your milestones, achievements, and actionable discoveries
Interested in hearing more or know of someone who might? Then reach out to me at greatbooksgreatminds@proton.me to set up a free 60-minute discovery session. At the least, I am happy to provide you with scores of book recommendations for what’s ahead in your life and work journey.
In Case You Missed These “Great Books, Great Minds” Feature Articles
How Martha’s Vineyard Became a Haven for Black Americans — September 26, 2022
One Man’s Quest to Embrace a Go-Giver Mindset — September 28, 2022
Being Social at Your Local Library — September 29, 2022
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Great Books + Great Minds is a member-supported publication for non-fiction book enthusiasts worldwide. To support our work and receive full access and exclusive features, consider upgrading to a paid subscription at $5.00/month or $50.00/yr.
Every little bit counts. Thank you for your consideration — Diamond (Michael) Scott
Great Books + Great Minds is a member-supported publication for non-fiction book enthusiasts worldwide. To support our work and receive full access and exclusive features, consider upgrading to a paid subscription at $5.00/month or $50.00/yr.
Every little bit counts. Thank you for your consideration — Diamond (Michael) Scott