Symposia Bookstore Survives as Borders and Barnes & Noble Shutter

As corner bookstores around the country close their doors, Symposia Bookstore in Hoboken, N.J., is approaching 14 years of selling used books to the community. Since Symposia opened its doors, Borders collapsed and a Barnes & Noble store a few blocks away shut down.
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As corner bookstores around the country close their doors, Symposia Bookstore in Hoboken, N.J., is approaching 14 years of selling used books to the community. Since Symposia opened its doors, Borders collapsed and a Barnes & Noble store a few blocks away shut down, something that's actually hurt the business, which thrives on donations. In order to combat soft sales, Symposia owner Carmen Rusu explains she's diversifying the business with shows, workshops and even yoga classes. She says her business relies on the support of the community and also on the notion that no matter how prevalent alternatives like e-readers become, there will always be a need for books and stores like hers.