Inkwood Books Defies the Odds
The little independent continues to meet the challenges of a changing industry.
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…
