Local bookstores hold their own with corporate chains, Internet

Locally owned bookstores such as Argos Books in Eastown continue to flourish even as the corporate chain stores encircle the city. Despite the competitive marketplace, River Bank Books and Music recently opened downtown on Monroe Center and business is booming.

According to excerpts from the story:

Amazon.com sold more than $1 billion worth of books, music, and other media in the fourth quarter of 2005. That's a 16 percent increase over the fourth quarter of 2004.

Yet, in the face of such daunting competition, local players say they are not closing the book on their futures. They are, in fact, optimistic.

These brick-and-mortar spots say they balance progressive attitudes and service strategies with what they believe to be their greatest assets: old-fashioned congeniality and neighborhood charm.