General

What’s Going on in Otter Creek Used Books?

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Sitting in my rearranged front room sipping some ice tea (Oolong) from Stoneleaf Tea House, my courtyard neighbor and settling myself down to write. It’s been awhile since I’ve added anything. I’ll post pictures soon of the new room arrangement. I’m liking it better.

Life’s been good. Had a ton of boxes come in so I’ve been busy going through them and getting them on the shelves. I’m currently offering store credit for now. April and May are generally slow months here and this year I have to say, it’s no different even in this location. My sales haven’t been too far off from when I was located on Main Street but enough to make me curb spending and doing some fancy bookwork juggling. Looking forward to the summer months and the outdoors Farmers Market returning to the area.

 

So what’s been coming in? A lot of gardening, herbal, homesteading, beekeeping, philosophy, and fiction – hardcover and soft.  And vegetarian cookbooks. Oh and a signed John Denver. I was excited to see that. He was one of my heroes. Now know that I’m excited about seeing his signature. Yes, I put a value on the book and posted it on Abebooks where I sell online but that’s the business side of the store. I work mostly on the emotional side of books and the store, in general. I guess that’s why I have such a time adding books online. It’s so impersonal. I’d have to completely revamp my store life in order to accommodate selling online. I recognize in today’s market that is what I should be doing.  Am I wrong for being a throw-back to running a used bookstore?  Being in-store customer based? Possibly. I admit it but then I gotta be me, right?

 

 

VABA 2012 Spring Book Fair – An Otterly Amazing Show

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2012 Spring VABA Book Fair

Otter Creek Used Books booth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did it! My thoughts and plans came together and above shows my booth at the recent VT Antiquarian Book & Ephemera Fair – the Spring show – over the past weekend – Sunday, March 25 – in Burlington.

I admit that I fretted about the booth – design to picking out books – and I feel I did an okay job. I liked how the booth came out and I think I picked out a range of books that highlights my store. I did some sales which relieved me because I just didn’t want to face a day of no sales. I got to talk to people as they poked around my books and other exhibitors which was the best part as well as to see what they brought (And their pricing, too. I was excited because I felt I was pretty on target with mine). SO, all my struggles paid off and I made it through and gained confidence. Now…when is the next one? Oh yes, August in Brattleboro, VT. More on that later. And yep! I’m going to be there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 VABA Book Fair Angst

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I finally agreed to participate in the upcoming Vermont Antiquarian Book Fair. Great but I’m kinda worried about what books to bring.  I started pulling books off shelves and filling up boxes then started seconding guessing myself. I put them all back. I shouldn’t fret so but I do. And I think, why did I agree to do this? I admit I did so under pressure from the VT Bricks & Mortar Society and my fellow used bookstore friend in CA. They all gave convincing reasons why. Okay, they really didn’t have to twist my arm. Very much. It is good publicity. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to stress out about it.

I admit it does sound like fun. And the thought of being on the other side of the table  is intriguing. You see, I use to go as a shopper and admirer and would enter each booth in pure anticipation.  And I would always splurge on one book at the event. Like a lot of money. And would leave with a small pile plus that special book. Actually if you want to know the truth, and know I’m rolling my eyes as I type this, we were one of the first ones – or tried to be – to enter the fair. Seriously. We would stand in line at least one hour beforehand. Nerds.

I don’t have table-top bookcases. That’s the other thing I’m worried about. How to display.  Rusty said he would make some bookcases to my specifications and earlier today I was trying to decide: do I paint them blue – to stand out, of course – or leave them natural. Unpainted for that a dignified look. Or painted white/off white to highlight the books. Well, doing it as me won out. So I’m going to paint them blue. Or maybe lime green. Or what about the red I also have on hand? Ugh!

See what I mean? So many decisions: what books to bring, how to display, what color bookcases, doilies yes or no, bookends, what else? One week count down. I’ll post pictures. In the meantime, I’ll work to get my act together. I know it’ll all work out. And it’ll be great.

 

 

Even Cowgirls and Used Bookstore Ladies Get the Blues

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Yea. When I add a new post I’m in a good mood. Today not so much. And I thought I would post about it because, well, frankly it isn’t always peaches & cream in a used bookstore. Granted, one can make it what one wants and just because I’m down right now doesn’t mean I won’t snap out of it. In fact, I’ve already decided how to get myself out of this mess I’m in. (in my head mess.)

First to address my mood and why. It can’t be about all the boxes that have just come in. No, because that’s always exciting. They are luring me to open them up and explore. I’ve had some sales this morning so that’s good. I think it’s from yesterday. In the afternoon I was online and checking out different blogs and of course, Facebook. From one of the many places I visited I came across a used bookstore in England and fell in love with it. And it hit me – which I think has carried over to today – that it is hard work to create a space, fill that space and maintain it all alone. There is SO much I want to do here and I underestimated myself that I thought I would be at least half way there by now. But I’m so far from being halfway. Don’t get me wrong I’m very happy but also frustrated.

My motto in my other location was “one book at a time” as I was trying to change out the inventory to more quality books. It’s more than that here. It’s rearranging, putting up bookends, alphabetizing, painting, building or securing more bookcases to fit open spaces, shelving and very importantly, getting a grip on the storage area. I want, at least, a path to the fridge! And never mind about dealing with all the boxes!

Ok! That’s enough. Time to get myself together. Gonna put a “back in 10 minutes” sign to check the mail. Walk around the block. And stop in at Stoneleaf Tea House and get a cup of tea to go. Going to try a new flavor. Something with green tea and rice. Sounds interesting and refreshing, huh? Then I’ll be ready to tackle whatever comes my way for the rest of the day and continue to plug along! And I’ll be in a great mood.

 

 

For the Love of Used Books

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Last month I hosted a small group of VABA members who also have a storefront with regular hours. As opposed to just selling inventory online from home. We all have books we sell online but we are dedicated to maintaining our stores.

Interesting sharing our stories: how we got into the business, what brought us to our current store location,  pitfalls of having a storefront as well as the joys and of course, dealing with customers. The good, the bad and the funny. I didn’t take many notes like I wanted to because I was so caught up listening. I did take down a title of a book one used bookstore owner wants to write:  “How to Make a Small Fortune in the Book Business.” We laughed out loud. Yea…um…it’s a joke. We are only wealthy in and through our inventory. We only make money when the books sell. So…making a small fortune…it can be done but the books that could make us a fortune don’t sell very often. All around our biggest expense is our rent. And rent is what can break owners to close their storefront. We are pretty dedicated to hold out.

The really good thing for me was that I discovered I am running my store on par with those who have had a storefront for many, many years. I was able to walk away from the meeting with the confirmation that I’m doing okay with pricing and quality of books. I’m feeling the quality is increasing.

It was a great meeting and I was honored to host the first of what I hope to be many more. I should have taken a photo  of the group but like I mentioned earlier I really got caught up in our conversations, wanting to be a great hostess, and also was a tad nervous because I look up to them all and I want to be accepted as a used bookstore lady.

Here are some additonal bulleted notes that I did manage to jot down:

  • Occasionally run a zip code survey. If anything, great to see where customers come from – visitors to the area. (shades of my old profession)
  • Get off my Amazon boycott and start listing my online inventory through the website. Unfortunately that’s where most people go when looking for a book. Most online sales are generated there. (rats!)
  • Radio! A great story was told by one bookstore owner of running an ad for some time and then removing it because  no one ever mentioned it. Then several years after it had been dropped, people started coming into the store singing the ad jingle. Needless to say, he started the radio ad up again. So now I’ve got to come up with a cool jingle.
  • Store owners can have a passion for collecting books but keep it out of the store. In other words, don’t bring anything into the store you won’t sell. Once it comes into the store it has to be for sale. I have a good story on that: I wanted to buy a book in a used bookstore but the owner really didn’t want to sell it. He started quizzing me to see if I was worthy to purchase it. Yea, I walked out and went online to make the purchase. It was before I bought this store. Customers don’t like to be tested.
  • Other misc notes: jacket protectors, free box near the door, better signage, develop a VT brick & mortar used bookstore (car) trail.

 

 

Window Display @ Nat’l Bank of Midd

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Excited to set-up a display in the National Bank of Middlebury’s window this morning. Right on Main Street. Grabbed furniture from home, books from the store and misc other stuff from both places. There was so much I wanted to include but really, really, really disciplined myself to edit it all down. Wanted it to be clean – uncluttered – so it would have more of an eye appeal.

Of course I created a character who lived in the space. Pretty interesting when I picked out a couple of books and realized I actually based it on a real person – not just someone within my head – my mother-in-law. So I sent Rusty into fiction and told him to pick out books she would have read and he came up with the selection found on one of the shelves. I think she’d be proud that we thought of her in such a way.

I also included a couple of my favorite books within the display. Taking a gamble that no one will inquire about them. I know I couldn’t sell them. Yea, I know, very selfish! But hey, that’s one of the perks of owning a used bookstore! 😉

Vermont [used bookstore] Brick & Mortar Society

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The Potting Shed Room: gardening, farming, homesteading and more.

Tomorrow I am hosting the first meeting of the loosely named, Vermont Brick & Mortar Society where a few of the used bookstores left scattered around the state – who still have a storefront – are coming together for a few hours. All are members of the Vermont Antiquarian Booksellers Association (VABA). We’ll talk, complain, inspire and assist one another for a few hours and still determine that a used bookstore is a good thing for a community. Even in spite of the world of new books, economy, e-readers, etc.

I’m really looking forward to our get-together. I’ve written some questions I’ve been mulling over for a bit. Such as pricing, rotating stock and the like. I’ll report back how it all went.

Hope I have enough chairs!

A Used Bookstore – Never a Dull Moment!

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So I’m working on designing a display promoting the store for the month of March in the National Bank of Middlebury’s big window. I’m excited because that’s one thing I miss about my old Main Street location. The only thing I miss about that space. That large window urging me to cleverly fill it.

I’ve been thinking of possible themes or just letting go and being random. Themes I came up with are: books on Vermont, local authors, books with funky titles, titles with the word March, books on books, or even taking one book and including all books referred to by that main book. With that, I was thinking of hosting a contest to see if anyone could name the main book. The more I thought of it it might just be too, too….would anyone want to spend time trying to figure it out. Or care. One book I thought of using was Helene Hanff’s 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD. A book I just adore. I’d like an English pen-pal. Exchange books. Visit the shop. I’d have an English section. Yea, I’m getting out of control.

So, trying to get back on track…I’m going to fill the space with books and let it all speak for the store: eclectic, funky junky. Ah, that feels right. And have fun with it! Always!

Now this all ties in with a phone call I just took. Some poor soul 😉 has inherited books that he just cannot keep and is, so far, being unsuccessful in finding them good homes. And records – 78’s. Remember those? Anyways, he is in southern Vermont so it isn’t logistically working out for me to accept them.  Unfortunately I never asked him how he found my website which I’m always surprised and taken back when customers tell me they’ve found and read it. I guess, because I don’t sell books online directly from it. It’s expensive to set it up and well, I can’t take that on. Yet. I could have if I hadn’t moved but no, I had to move and pretty much start my business over again. Ugh! All for windows. Hey, it’s worth it. That’s all I can say. So my website is a blog of randomness all used bookstore related.

Oh, and someone asked me what the word of the week is. (Seriously, people do read the website!) and I chose Clever. Being clever. I have no idea. It just works for me this week. Better than being dull! 😉

[Used] Book Quotes

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Over the past number of days I have stumbled across literary quotes about books. Uncanny. Why? Makes me wonder. I don’t know. No idea but I have. Maybe it goes back to the word of a couple of weeks ago: Karma. Oh, and by the way, the word of this week is Appreciation. Ties into Karma and Trust.

So getting back to quotes about books. This is the quote currently found on the outdoor easel (Which no one has commented on how well it looks painted red. Leftover paint from the other location): “Libraries are not made; they grow, ” Augustine Birrell. He has another quote that I like: “Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one.” Another: “On level lines of woodwork stand my books obedient to my hand,” by Justin Huntly McCarthy. And by Emilie Poulsson, “Books are keys to wisdom’s treasure; Books are gates to lands of pleasures; Books are paths that upward lead; Books are friends. Come, let us read.”

Where do I find my quotes? The old fashion way, of course. I have a copy of John Bartlett’s, FAMILIAR QUOTATIONS: A COLLECTION OF PASSAGES, PHRASES, AND PROVERBS TRACED TO THEIR SOURCES IN ANCIENT AND MODERN LITERATURE (eleventh edition, revised and enlarged, 1945) on my lap. I confess I have gone online but I was feeling guilty so I swore off scouring the internet for quotes on books or reading. You know what I mean? Felt like I was sinning. 😉

Knitted Valentine Love by me!

 

And the Word of the Week is…

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Karma.  Well, actually that was last week’s word. Because of Karma’s sake I won’t go into why it was the word of the week. Best to leave things like that alone. Things, situations, people. Alone. Did you know books also have karma? I believe they do. ….karma

Webster says...

So that brings us to this week’s word which is Trust! A much better word. But it is a scary word. Why? Because it is has such power. Think of it. Trust. “Trust your instincts.” “Trust in the Lord.” Confidence. Faith. To feel secure. Trust. So I’m doing a lot of trusting this week. And I hope it pays off.

 

You didn’t think running a used bookstore was so interesting, huh? It’s not always about the book(s).

Elephant bookends just made their way into the store.

And then something fun happens. Makes my day!