Inkwood Books Defies the Odds

Inkwood Books will celebrate its twentieth anniversary this fall, a remarkable milestone for the tiny independent bookshop that's survived two recessions, the big-box retail chains, and online retailers and e-books.

“It’s been rewarding, it’s been great,” said Carla Jimenez, who co-owns Inkwood with Leslie Reiner. “We are proud of what we have accomplished.” Housed in a yellow bungalow at the corner of Platt and Armenia, Inkwood is the only independent bookseller in Tampa that carries new titles.

Jimenez and Reiner opened Inkwood in 1991 amid the recession of the early 1990’s. In spite of some initial challenges, the duo made the business succeed by offering a small but fresh selection of new books, all handpicked by staff members. Inkwood also hosts book signings and discussions by local and national authors.

At times it’s been a tough road for the Inkwood crew. The rise of behemoth national chains like Barnes & Noble and Borders created such a tight market that many independents were not able to survive. Sweeping industry shifts like changes in the public’s reading habits and the proliferation of online retailers killed even more of the mom and pop stores.

But Inkwood managed to stay afloat with its faithful customer base and by staying atop industry trends. “We met every change and every challenge,” said Jimenez.

Inkwood has offered e-commerce services through their website since the early 2000’s. Last fall they began selling Google E-books to meet the growing transition towards e-readers. Jimenez estimates that about 25% of book group selections are now read electronically.

“We want people to read in whatever format they want, and we want to be the book sellers they buy from,” she said.

Despite adapting to the changing marketplace, the playing field is still leveled against businesses like Inkwood. Many e-commerce retailers like Amazon.com do not collect the seven percent sales tax that bricks and mortar stores are legally required to charge, which puts many independent businesses at a disadvantage. A study by the University of Tennessee estimates that Florida lost more than $700 million in sales tax revenue due to e-commerce retailers. Inkwood and the American Booksellers Association, a non-for-profit trade organization representing independent booksellers, have been advocates for sales tax fairness.

Still, independents like Inkwood manage to survive, offering certain intangibles that retail chains and online discounters may have difficulty providing. Studies have shown that independent businesses circulate three times as much money in local economies than national chains. And there’s a more personal, more human interaction available at Inkwood.

According to Jimenez, one of the greatest rewards in being an independent bookseller is the invaluable relationships that she and her partner have developed in the community.

“We get to talk about books and share the book culture,” says Jimenez, “It’s a lovely way to spend the day.”