Most bookshops maximise the amount of space for aisles and books. They do away with open space and reading zones. As you move through each aisle you can feel the square-footage-squeeze calculation of the finance department at head office.
Every so often though you come across a bookshop with sofas. And the sofas say a lot. They say, “Welcome,” “We’re not in a rush,” “Make yourself comfortable,” “Pick up a book, have a seat, see if you like it.”
Guess which kind of book shop wins people over in the long run?