Monte Cristo Bookshop | Shopping local

For the past couple years, I see things being shared on Facebook like, "Shop local this holiday season" or "Buying from your local small business helps a little girl take dance lessons". While I totally agree with these, I don't think they do enough. Why? Because they don't show you who your local businesses are. You can't see the family that is relying on YOUR business. It's easy to share these posts on social media, but it's also important to know the local businesses and to know why it's so important to support them. 

Over the next 2 months, I'm going to show you some local businesses that would love to meet you. 

I started in New London, at the Monte Cristo Bookshop. I sat with the owners, Christopher and Gina Jones, for a couple of hours and talked with them about why they think shopping locally is so important.

"To help us and people like us" was the immediate response from Chris. This couple started out with an idea. They loved books and talking about books. They wanted to work in a bookstore, but eventually decided to open their own. Opening a retail store is not something that happens overnight. This took planning, funding, phone calls, and lots of hard work. Owning a business becomes your baby. You start to live and breathe your business and you soon realize everything you do is to work towards your goal of making this a success.

Chris and Gina now have an adorable little boy (who was also in the store) to support as well and they take their business very seriously. When I asked them why shopping at the Monte Cristo Bookshop is different than visiting a national retailer or buying books online, the answer is pretty simple: the experience. When you walk into a big, chain retailer, you can't talk to them like you can here. You can't pick their brains about different topics, ranging from the New London vibe to local bands. You're also not going to be able to talk to the manager of one of those big stores about how you think their store could improve. Chris and Gina welcome this. They want to know what you think. They want to know if there is a book you would like to see on their shelves. They want you to know that they are there for you. Sometimes their prices are even lower than that online retailer as well. Not to mention a large used book section and what they're calling the "retro book" section, full of great used classics.

What else will you get at Monte Cristo Bookshop? Events! A ton of FREE events. They now have 13 events listed just for November alone. You get to meet authors of both local and national best-selling books. This store is the real deal. They are truly passionate about what they do and what they have to offer.

Monte Cristo Bookshop even supports local charities, non profits, and schools in their community. And of course, they personally shop local. While I was there, they got take-out from Mangetout Organic Cafe and coffee from Washington Street Coffee House, both within walking distance of their shop.

So, while you're out looking for gifts this holiday season, head over to Monte Cristo Bookshop at 38 Green St. and pick up some a few great reads for everyone on your list. They have gift cards too for those that are hard to shop for. Chris and Gina will happily give you recommendations too!