Every once in a while, I get special service at a shop that I would otherwise expect to be a cold, emotionless, national chain. I like to tip the hat here to those folks.

Tip, this week, to Ann Hoak. Ann is the community relations manager at Barnes & Noble in the Miller Hill Mall. Ann coordinates community connections like the “gift wrap for tips” initiative. Wildwoods will be at B&N, educating as we wrap your books. Stop by and learn about migratory birds.

Ann also coordinates the book fair program, in which B&N donates a portion of total sales to a nonprofit (on the presumption that the nonprofit will mobilize its fans to come on in).

Ann gets that customer service and community connection is what keeps me from ordering all my books online. Thank you!