Print Story  Email Story  Discuss Story
» More Feature Stories

In the world of Amazon and Barnes & Noble, deep discounts on books and frequent buyers’ clubs, why is an independent bookstore in Portsmouth flourishing?

MULTIMEDIA Video:  RiverRun’s in the middle of everything

Opened in 2002 in Commercial Alley, RiverRun Bookstore (www.riverrunbookstore.com) has the benefit of location – its new spot at 20 Congress St. is in the heart of Portsmouth, on "tourist row" near coffee shops and clothing stores. But it’s not just money from the pockets of Massachusetts day-trippers that makes this business thrive. The store’s new address has come with more space – and with that more opportunity for the owners, particularly manager/partner Tom Holbrook, to create a center for community.

Ever heard of Barack Obama? RiverRun garnered national press attention (and Holbrook got to meet the seasoned heartthrob of New York Times readers Maureen Dowd www.topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/
oped/columnists/maureendowd/) after scoring a major coup by hosting the Democratic presidential candidate’s book signing for "Audacity of Hope," which grew so large on short notice that it was held at the Frank Jones Center. Recently, candidates with less star power Bill Richardson (www.richardsonforpresident.com), and Dennis Kucinich (www.kucinich.us) spoke to overflow crowds at the store. Even though Tom’s a diehard Dem, Republicans are welcome, too (anyone but Sam Brownback (www.brownback.com), that is — Tom thinks he’s evil).

With the past exception of Obama, Tom’s not hunting these people down — he’s just publicly putting his store out there as a necessary stop for candidates (www.seacoastonline.com/news/02032007/nhnews-ph-p-riverrun.html). He thinks Portsmouth’s role in the primary can be more than just photo ops at cafes and barber shops.

But thank God, the primary comes only every four years. RiverRun’s connection to community has more permanence than politics. Tom has made a commitment to supporting local nonprofits providing social services. Frequent customers looking for a discount card won’t find one, but they can participate in a program that will give a small percentage of their purchase to a local nonprofit (one organization per financial quarter). Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast, Cross Roads House and Families First are a few of the past and present beneficiaries. On the River Run Web site, Tom also bravely invites others to come knocking on a door and hit him up. Of course, it’s good business sense for RiverRun – strategic philanthropy, if you will.

And the bookstore’s commitment to local arts and entertainment remains steady. The store will host an all-ages listening party on March 30 for the Wire’s RPM Challenge (www.rpmchallenge.com). Don’t miss samples from local kids’ duo the Poo Poo Platters www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_comprofiler/
task,userProfile/user,465/Itemid,296/).

They’ve got a killer live show planned for March 18 – Jon Nolan, Liz Parmalee, Cara Connolly and Laurel Brauns will perform at 7 p.m. in a song circle style.

The amazing Writers on a New England Stage program (www.nhpr.org/node/10072) a collaborative event held at The Music Hall along with NHPR) will continue. Past guests have included Dan Brown, John Updike and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Apparently, there is a heavy-duty male mystery writer scheduled for the next appearance. My guesses are Robert Parker or Tom Clancy, but Tom’s certainly not spilling the beans.

And of course, the in-store readings continue. Here are some upcoming events:

John Sedgwick, author of "In My Blood" will read at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14.

Baron Wormser, former Maine poet laureate and author of "The Road Washes Out in Spring" will read at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21.

Andrew Petrovitch will read from his new novella, "The Session" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 12.

Mark DeCarteret will read from his new book of poetry, "(If This Is The) New World" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18.