If you have resolved to read more in 2014 – supporting West Seattle authors is one way to get into the spirit. You can meet one tomorrow with the next chapter in the “Words, Writers, West Seattle” series. The author in the spotlight this time is Robert Spector, whose featured book has a theme that’s close to our hearts and many around here – small local independent business:

Next up in the “Words, Writers & West Seattle” series is West Seattle author Robert Spector, speaking about his book, The Mom & Pop Store: True Stories from the Heart of America (Walker Books, 2009).

This FREE presentation will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Barnes & Noble-Westwood Village. A question and answer opportunity as well as book signing will follow Spector’s presentation.

The Mom & Pop Store is a celebration of the history of small, independent retail and the story of how these shops thrive on attentive customer service and community support for local businesses. With the backdrop of the growing “buy local” movement across the country, Spector, who grew up working in his parent’s butcher shop, set out to discover the state, and the state of mind, of independent retailing in America.

From a specialty soda-pop shop in Los Angeles to a florist shop in Dayton, Ohio, from a bakery in Chicago to a bookstore in Bellingham, mom-and-pop store owners share their stories, revealing the spirit and tenacity of the small business owner, dealing with frustration and defeat as well as triumph and success.

Spector has lived in West Seattle for the past 36 years; his wife is a third-generation West Seattleite. Although The Mom & Pop Store is memoir, Spector is known for his bestselling business profile books including “The Nordstrom Way” and “Amazon.com: Get Big Fast”. The last chapter of The Mom & Pop Store is all about West Seattle and the businesses that Spector and his wife support, such as Hotwire Coffee, Husky’s, The Forsythe Studio, Mashiko, and Alki Mail & Dispatch.

Other local authors will be featured in this free FIRST FRIDAY book talk series in coming months at Barnes & Noble in Westwood Village. Additional information on future presentations can be obtained by calling Dora-Faye Hendricks, “Words, Writers and West Seattle” chair, 206-280-9983 or by e-mail at Dora-Faye@comcast.net.

Local businesses are mentioned in Spector’s book; as noted here back when it was published, they include WSB’s flagship sponsor Hotwire Online Coffeehouse.