A place that is embroiled in a constant struggle between being a groovy hangout for retail slaves who like books (as well as the eccentric customers they serve), and being a coldly efficient profit machine where you can always get the latest Deepak Chopra bestseller. A place where book people and retail people fight for the soul of the place. Sometimes they switch sides. Books come in through the back door while others are stripped. Then the Regional Manager comes to visit and everyone must dust.