August 22, 2008
· Filed under General · Tagged used books, vermont, middlebury, vt, otter creek used books, bookmarks
A wonderful family popped into the store this morning and spent a good portion of the morning going through the children’s books - old and collectibles. They do not like new books. I’m not sure how old the three boys were. I’m going to guess 8 and 6 years and an eight-month old. They once lived in South Africa. Now they live in lower New England but do quite a bit of traveling. I’m sure the mother told me she home schools. They were all just so clever, so polite, so pleasant. By far one of the most enjoyable families that have come in. I felt sad when they decided to leave the store. They were heading to Shelburne Museum next. While they were here the mom discovered my stash of items I have found in books used as bookmarks. One item she found were some loose Chinese/English flashcards. The boys were able to say what the word on the card was. What an amazing family! Obviously I gave them the cards. And a few other items that she found in the basket. It just feels great to share the discovery and pleasure of bookmarks with someone who appreciates them as I do. Needless to say, I will always remember that family and wish them much success and happiness. Oh, another family came in during the afternoon - I hope they are regulars as I think it’s been their third visit - not that I’m keeping track. The daughter is an avid reader and just so cute! She must be about 8 years old. Very intelligent. Children are so great aren’t they? Well, most are. I won’t go into the one family that came in yesterday who’s mother had no control of her brood. Still finding children’s books tucked into the adult area. How did they sneak them there? We were watching them…and the chair from the children’s corner. How did they manage???
So what have I found tucked into books? Here’s some of the items: crocheted cross, photographs, cards (handmade and store bought, some new some old), store receipts, bookmarks from bookstores, postcards, recipes (like rhubarb & custard pie. Yum!), Saint and prayer cards (praying to finish the book?), hall pass (did they make it back to their class?), jokers from a deck of cards, a map of Capri, house chart to the 1961 House of Representatives, doctor appointment reminder cards (did they remember?), a valentine (”I’ve “booked you” as my Valentine Teacher dear!” from Bradley. How cute!), Triple Blue Stamps, doodles, long expired grocery store coupons, plane tickets, used envelopes, event passes, report cards, book plates, and many pressed flowers including four leaf clovers. A couple of items to note would be a Tex Ritter Amigo Club card, an advertisement card promoting “Wampole’s” Tasteless Preparation of an EXTRACT of COD Liver”, and a Dave Winfield Padres card (value?), and a Defense Stamp Album and so on. Nothing really special but all so interesting don’t you think? I’m going to set up a display with all the stuff soon. Won’t that be fun? Oh yes, if I know the owner I return any valuable items including photos. And I don’t sell them.
Nice to take a break from ’sorting, pricing, shelving’. Ah!
August 16, 2008
· Filed under General · Tagged middlebury, used books, vermont, vt
The end of a novel, like the end of a children’s dinner-party, must be made up of sweetmeats and sugar-plums. — Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope.
Looking for a new quote to feature on the upstairs chalk board I happened upon this one. What a great quote! I can certainly relate to it. But then I have a miniature tea set display in the store. And helper elves upstairs so what can I say? I have to confess that I have taken most of the fairy books home. I know! Can’t sell what isn’t here. My intent is to create a window display during the spring months along with fairy houses and wanted to feature the books. That started my collection. I always feel bad when someone comes in looking for any books on fairies. I’m sure my face turns all red and I start apologizing…. Why the confession, I wonder to myself. Oh yeah, rambling.
Today I want to start a new page on the blog with titles of new books that have arrived into the shop. I don’t have our stock inventoried unfortunately. One friend suggested that I at least provide some photos and titles to let readers of this blog know what I have. Especially since I’m not selling on line yet. Which brings up a discussion, do I? I feel I need to in order to supplement the store’s income but doesn’t that defeat the purpose of used book shopping? To me it is all about the hunt. The hunt for a long sought after book and the reward of finally finding it! That is what used book shopping is all about. I do admit that there are times when I’ve felt the need to find a book RIGHT NOW and will go online and look for the cheapest version I can find. Need to take into account shipping costs. Sometimes I find out the cheap issue really isn’t so since the seller has tacked on a hefty shipping charge. I suppose they are taking into account their time and costs to prepare the book for mailing. Then there is USPS versus UPS. Hint, UPS tracks. And UPS Stores are individually owned. Yes, they are individually owned. (Confession time: my husband and I own the local UPS Store here in Middlebury. It is family run and operated as opposed to like-Staple stores. Sometimes ‘chains’ or ‘franchises’ need to be fully investigated especially when there is a ’shop local’ campaign going on. Yes, we pay a royalty but we try to live, too. So double-check and shop local. We do. We live, shop, even were educated here. Enough ranting! Phew!)
Oh yes, this is rambling. Sometime in the near future I’ll post about the store’s ghost. Yep, a ghost. Cool. Every used bookstore needs a real ghost. Later!
So as I price books this afternoon I will feature a few books and you can find them on a separate page. We’ll see how that works. And I’ll try to get some images up, too.
Otter Creek Used Books and Green Mountain Shoe & Apprarel
August 12, 2008
· Filed under General
I love this guy and his friend! One or the other is always peeking out somewhere within the store.
Received an awful lot of cookbooks recently. In fact so many that I have run out of room on the shelves. So I have them in boxes on the floor. Really not the best way to showcase them or care for them but what is a used bookstore lady to do? Egads! At least I’ve cleared the aisle and the corner chair that sits nearby. And more Sci Fi has come in including a complete set of L.Ron Hubbard’s series. Also have in paperback many from the Dr. Who series. A number of older farm-related books have come in with more that need to be unboxed. And many more New Age books that I’ve run out of room to shelf.
So that’s what I’ve been up to these days - sorting, pricing, shelving, sorting, pricing shelving. Each and every day for the past month or so. I’m expecting more boxes in Friday so I’m working feverishly to clean out the many boxes I still have in the aisles. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining because I’m not. It is just the way of a used book store. I’ve been working hard to change the inventory around as well as upgrade to better quality offerings. And to keep the store eclectic - covering many interests and prices - paperback to hardcover. I feel that I’m starting to feel better about what is on the shelves. Also in between everything I’ve been trying to rearrange, paint and add more of a creative touch to the store. I am having so much fun doing it all, too. I know I probably sound like a broken record, as my father would say, but how can I not be happy here? Ok there are a few days where I get overwhelmed with the boxes all over the store but then I remember “one book at a time” and I calm down. I haven’t cleaned as much as I know I should - I do occasionally sweep the floor. Really, I do. And the plants have been noted as attacking me or at the very least shouted not nice things to me for a drink of water! Sorry! Even working on this blog! I had desires to write at least each week but haven’t kept up with it. So I’m trying to get myself into a routine even though I don’t like being in one. For the sake of turning around this store and make it proud for myself and the community it serves I can do it! Yes, siree, I can do it! I am woman! (Rusty is rolling his eyes!)
Rusty hung the screen door in the front though it still doesn’t close/open properly yet. He’ll fix it. He also added the “used books” letters up over the back door and I hung up an open flag to replace the stars and stripes flag I had left out one night and someone took. I just hope they have it hanging properly beside their door.
Well, according to my computer clock - forgot my watch today and I still don’t have a clock in the store because I can’t find one that seems right - it’s time for me to open. Oh yes, and water the plants. Even though I was suppose to do that yesterday - Monday - but I started in ’sorting, pricing, shelving’ and forgot. Hey, there is always the next day like Tuesday! I hear you! I’m coming with your water. Geez!
