I agreed wholeheartedly with the “Indie Pledge” reprinted in The Pilot (“Indie Bookstore Pledge Might Help Save a Life,” Nov. 4), and although I’m an avid Amazon consumer, more used books than new, I took the pledge to save “our” bookstore. It’s essential to the community as a purveyor of knowledge and a conduit for a variety of things to the residents and visitors to the town.

So I agree to pay more for a book at our bookstore at least once a month, just as I’m willing to pay more taxes — especially if the revenue goes toward righting the immense imbalance of inequality in our country.

But the other day I went to buy a book there and, to my displeasure, the ambience of the store had changed, and not for the better. No more were there attractive bookshelves and inviting seating at the front of the store. I had to search for a chair, and the rearrangement at the front of the store was not as attractive or welcoming as it used to be.

What’s behind those changes I don’t know. However, if that store is to survive, and I support it, the management will have to take seriously what kind of impression they want to make on someone entering the store.

Bob Katrin

Southern Pines