"Reprinted from April 4, 2003 Vineyard Gazette"

Bunch of Grapes Is Recognized As National Bookseller of the Year

By C. K. WOLFSON

John Mutter, an editor at Publisher's Weekly, walks through the aisles at The Bunch of Grapes Bookstore while all around him customers, in animated conversations, hold reunions with each other.

Mr. Mutter takes notes as he talks with bookseller Avia Moore. It's part of his research for a feature he is writing about the Vineyard Haven story - the recently announced winner of Publisher's Weekly 2002 Bookseller of the Year award.

He studies various displays and book titles, complimenting the "active environment," and the store's practice of allowing new staff members to express ideas and impact the operation.

And Mr. Mutter acknowledges what Islanders already know: What the bookstore does cannot be duplicated by larger chain stores.

The recognition comes as little surprise to thousands of local fans and Island visitors who have indulged in browsing the stacks, had their literary mysteries solved by the staff, participated in an ongoing Friday night program or author-signing event.

At the helm is Island native Ann Nelson, a former critical care nurse who founded the store in 1975.

Ms. Nelson and her staff had submitted to the Publisher's Weekly eight-member jury a lOO-page, spiral-bound packet of information with color-coded tabs that included letters from managers and staff, a description of business operations, photos of events and displays, press clippings, promotional material, and tributes from publishers' representatives, notables and celebrity authors. "One of the better [submissions] I've ever seen...very thorough," says Mr. Mutter, who is executive editor of book selling at the magazine.

Competing with national franchise stores as well as other independents, Bunch of Grapes distinguished itself in all those areas identified as significant: excellence in customer service and community involvement; originality in marketing and merchandising; expertise and helpfulness of its staff and its business operation. The relationship among management and staff was also an important factor.

The award generates national recognition as well as access to publishers' resources. Ms. Nelson says it makes getting guest author appearances easier~.

Ms. Nelson, whose motto is, "Always in training to do better," talked about the rising costs of hardcover books and the increasingly competiti~'e aspect of the business. "Where you~ used to buy two or three books, now you might buy one. So of all the bookstores you could go in, maybe you will come to ours because you have read about us."

The award will be presented at the BookExpo America in Los Angeles in May. Ms. Nelson and store manager Robby Bick will attend.

Ms. Nelson explains that she feels she now has to work harder to meet the expectations of customers and to set an example to other book stores. "Once you've got an award, you can't just say, 'I've achieved it'- at least I can't. To me, I have been recognized in the industry as one of the best, and I must project that."