Tranquil Acres of Alexandria: Local Favorite Spotlight: Clinton Book Shop

The words "Customer Service" is described in the dictionary as being "the assistance and other resources that a company provides to the people who buy or use its products or services." <Informative, but kinda dry right?>

However, if you put the word "Excellent" in front of "Customer Service" you end up with.. Possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good. Extraordinary or superior. <When you put all the words together - Excellent Customer Service" it reads a lot nicer right?>

For those of you who have been following my "Local Favorite Spotlight" posts, you have more than likely started to see a trend. That being, I only spotlight those local establishments that I receive excellent customer service from. Since starting on this journey of bringing more awareness to local merchants I have become keenly aware of the many, many, fine stores and store owners who are making a difference within Hunterdon County.

If you will allow me to get on my soap box for just two paragraphs...

Recently I read an article that stated that in the state of NJ, Amazon.com is not required to collect sales tax for purchases made through their site which in essence boils down to an estimated $200 million dollar loss for the state. Does that sound fair? Not to me it doesn't. In fact, this loophole is putting the local stores that were the founders of many townships at risk of staying in business. In fact, when thinking about it further, it aggravates me that such companies such as Amazon is threatening the mainstays of our communities and turning the "Open" signs to permanently "Closed". This concerning opinion extends to our local pharmacies, hardware stores, bakeries and especially book stores. Without these storefronts, buildings would remain vacant, streets would empty and the general 'down town' feeling would disappear. This just can't happen!

Let's go back to where this post started with the words, "Excellent Customer Service". When you think of excellent customer service, what do you think of? Is it the clerk at your local Home Depot or Lowes that asks you for your phone number without even saying 'hello' to you first? Don't be fooled, they're not asking you for your phone number to call you later to find out how your shopping experience was, they are actually turning it over to telemarketers who are the ones that call you at the most inappropriate times.

The list of contrary opinions of customer service are endless, but in the end, the words, "Excellent Customer Service" are just that.. A company that provides "EXCELLENT SERVICE" in any way they can to YOU the CUSTOMER that keeps them thriving.

<Thank you... We now get back to our regular scheduled programming>

Speaking of "Excellent Customer Service" let's enter the Clinton Book Shop!

Recently, I've been following Clinton Book Shop's very active Facebook page. I was loving all the fantastic statuses that are posted throughout the day. Needless to say, this definitely intrigued me to visit the Clinton Book Shop as I wanted to be a part of such a fantastic community of over 2,000 who have given the ole' thumbs up to them as well. I wanted to see what they were all about so that I could better enjoy the daily postings and the personalities of those that write them.

The Clinton Book Shop is located at 12 E. Main Street in historical Clinton, NJ. The store front is very inviting and had me peeking through the windows at what I was going to find inside.

Upon entering I found a very welcoming store that is laid out very nicely and easy to navigate. I was in the market for a new gardening book and indeed I had no problem finding one that suited my interest. The shelves are stocked with books of every curiosity and need, some are even original signed copies!

While perusing through the store paging through the many books that drew my curiosity, I couldn't help but overhear a conversation that was being had by the store manager, Rob, with a customer that apparently not visited in some time. The customer entered the store and immediately went to hug Rob thanking him for his phone call to check on her. An entire conversation ensued about her health and well being and how touched she was that Clinton Book Shop was so concerned about her. Wow. Has Amazon ever called me when I've not ordered anything in a while? <And yes, I'll admit it, I've ordered from Amazon before, but have since realized that I can find equal pricing on selected items that I've received, within local establishments and there are those words again.. Excellent Customer Service .. that you don't get online>

Walking throughout the store I could definitely understand how so many others have given their business to the Clinton Book Shop as it's a place that you can go and feel appreciated and still find exactly what you're looking for. If they don't have it, no problem, they can order it for you as well!

They have a fantastic children's area that's chock full of reading material for every age. Not to mention the Children's Story Time conducted by Miss Sue Kane for ages 3-6 that starts up again in March.

The Clinton Book Shop is indeed 'the' place to go for various events as well. Being in the retail business myself, I know that holding 'events' is not only a great way to promote your business, but it's also a way to hold communities together and bringing friends together. Amongst the list of events that they hold are various children's events, author events, writers workshops, membership groups for kids and adults, just to name a few.

During my visit I was able to talk to Rob, the store manager, about the history of Clinton Book Shop and realized that the shop has been in existence for 40 years and owned by Harvey for the past nine years. What does that tell you? It's definitely a corner stone in Clinton's historic town.

Whenever I visit a local establishment and decide that they will be spotlighted I always try to get a personal feeling from the owners as to what they like the best about their business. For the Clinton Book Shop their feelings are purely community minded. They strive to keep the community together, forming life long bonds with their customers and their children who often visit them after they've grown. It's the love of community, and giving back to it. The customers of Clinton Book Shop are not just passing faces but rather customers who they fondly call their friends. When a new book comes in the Clinton Book Shop is quick to make a call to a friend who is an avid reader of the author and the list goes on as to their ways of creating a bond with their client base. This my friends is indeed "Excellent Customer Service".

If you're in the market for a good read, a great experience or the feel of close community ties, visit the Clinton Book Shop!