Tweak #118: Visiting with Ann Patchett & the Parnassus Team

Tweak #121: You're Going to Love This

There is one thing retail experts predict AI is going to change that feels like a really good thing: real, authentic, personal service is going to become one of the things we value most. In this Two Minute Tweak, Lisa shares a powerful takeaway from the Women in Retail Circle Conference. Retail leaders are pointing toward a future where authentic, personal service matters more than ever. For bookshops, libraries, and small shops, that is deeply encouraging. The everyday moments, like remembering a name, asking about a family member, introducing neighbors, or making someone feel seen, are not small extras. They are the heart of the work. In a culture hungry for connection, the future of retail may belong to the people who know how to build relationships. And that is something independent shops already do beautifully.

Tweak #120: Bookshops: This is Our Moment

Independent bookshops are having a moment, and according to Kristen McLean, VP of Client Insights for Circana, it may be more than a moment. It may be the beginning of a true renaissance. In this data-packed Two Minute Tweak, Lisa shares highlights from a personal conversation with Kristen following this year’s American Booksellers Association meeting. The takeaway is encouraging: consumer interest is moving toward local, authentic, community-centered spaces, and independent bookshops are beautifully positioned to meet that need. From the pull toward downtowns and analog experiences to growing concerns about screen time and a renewed desire for connection, the cultural signals are pointing toward bookshops in a powerful way. At Franklin Fixtures, we’re seeing that same movement show up in a very practical way: a 400% increase in inquiries from people interested in opening bookshops or similar small, community-focused shops. For us, that kind of growth is a leading indicator. People aren’t just talking about community — they’re building places for it. Enjoy this data-packed tweak and take a moment to consider what this moment and this movement could mean for your shop, your community, and the work you’re doing every day.

Tweak #119: Creating a Salon

Lisa Uhrik and Steve Wax take a quick look at Linda-Marie Barrett’s guide, Creating a Salon: The Magic of Conversations That Matter, and the timely work of helping people gather for meaningful dialogue. For bookshops and community-minded hosts, pulling people together into conversation is brave, good, and sometimes delicate work. This episode explores how thoughtful setting, gentle structure, and intentional facilitation can help create safer, more productive gatherings in an age of loneliness and isolation. With practical insights on balancing openness with direction, managing dominant voices, and protecting vulnerable participants, this conversation offers useful tools and encouragement for anyone working to create conversations that matter. Click to listen now!

Tweak #118: Visiting with Ann Patchett & the Parnassus Team

A St. Patrick’s Day visit to Parnassus Books in Nashville, along with a conversation with Ann Patchett and managers Cat Bock and Andy Brennan, offered a profound insight into what community really means. When Parnassus’ leaders talk about community, they begin with each other. That spirit of mutual care, collaboration, and simple hospitality shapes the culture of reading they create for customers, authors, and the wider community. It’s a meaningful touchstone for all of us.

Tweak #117: Storytelling as a Bookshop

In this episode, Lisa Uhrik explores the idea of treating your whole bookshop the way a publisher would view a book – with a clear storytelling theme that begins in the windows and unfolds throughout the sections, displays, and customer experience. Featuring an example from Ashley Michael and Plenty, Lisa shows how storytelling can extend beyond display into a whole-bookshop approach that evolves month by month across the year. It’s a thoughtful way to guide curation, merchandising, and engagement while creating a more cohesive and memorable journey for your friends and customers.