Merry Christmas!

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I didn’t mean to let all this time get away from me between posts. Ah, the life of a used bookstore, I guess. I’ve just been busy with my routine and blogging became secondary. My weekly updates fell flat but there is always a New Year’s resolution to make. I’ll give that the old-used-bookstore try for 2013.

I’ve been working through the many boxes that have come into the store the past couple of months. But yet, isn’t that what I’m always doing? Very eclectic stuff. I’ve set aside books to post online. Mainly with Abebooks.com. I do have to come clean. At a recent Vermont Antiquarian Booksellers Association (VABA) meeting I got a scolding for mentioning that I boycott Amazon. WHY? they shouted. So I explained my reasoning and they informed me that I was being stupid because, unfortunately that is where they generally make the most sells. Rats! I shouted back. Mainly to myself. They told me it was easy so just do it. So I did. I posted one book.  That’s where the market is and even though I may not agree with that (in principle) that’s the way of the market. Sometimes being stubborn is not such a good thing. Another New Year’s resolution.

I had a couple of anniversaries recently. One year of moving to the Marble Works and six years of owning the business. And throw in a wedding anniversary, too. Hard to believe six years of Otter Creek Used Books. It has become such a part of my life and so enjoyable. I’m very happy here in the Marble Works, and happy to own such a business.

I actually had a reason to post today and I got away from that. This Thursday – 12/13/2012 – the store will be open for Middlebury’s Stag & Doe Night. Part of the Very Merry Middlebury December celebrations. The store will be open additional hours, 5-8 pm. I’m offering 10% off all purchases during those hours to add to the fun.

Now we just need some snow!

Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes Under Glass

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Great A, little a,
Bouncing B;
The cat’s in the cupboard,
And she can’t see.

I thought I would feature these nursery book pages that are hanging around the store.

The book came in with a moldy cover but fortunately the pages were still okay. Phew! I rescued them and have some posted around the store as well as two pages framed. What is interesting about the frames is that they are reversible! What?! Yes, each page features a rhyme on each side so how could one side be covered up? If you get tired of one side just flip the frame to the other side and admire the other rhyme for a while.

Here is an example of the front of the frame:

And here is the back of the frame which is also under glass:

How clever, huh? Framing was done by Nancy of Artemis Framing, who also is the Marble Works gardener. The pages are sold separately or if interested, Nancy can mount and frame for you. Nancy is so talented!

Stop in and check them out.

A Full Year! Come Celebrate! 50% Sale!

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Can you believe it? It has been a year. A full year in the Historic Marble Works. A year of windows, nooks, reorganization, change of staff (addition of a grandson, Greyson), new neighbors (can’t get any better than Costello’s Market!) and so much more.

To celebrate I decided to hold a week long celebration of a 50% sale. I want to do this in appreciation to everyone who’s been in to support the move and to meet new people. So stop in! Everything is on sale: lamps, bookends, other misc. stuff and of course, books! The sale runs through Saturday, September 22, 2012.

New Sign!

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Look!

How cool is this? Ryan and Nancy from the Marble Works Partnership are hanging the new store’s sign. Doug Lazarus, brought it in yesterday and Ryan got right on it this morning. This was a long year in the making. Doug never gave up on me. The old signs were taken down and as soon as the weather clears up I’ll paint where the other signs were with chalkboard paint for book quotes. The easel will be used for the Open sign. Easier for me to remember to put that out. Yea, I wasn’t so good about flipping over the Open/Closed sign. So annoying! I’ll post a formal photo as soon as Doug comes by. Can’t wait to show it off with the artist!

 

Busy Day Here In the Used Book Store

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A quiet moment…been busy today. I’m learning about the new program I have for buying back textbooks. Yes, I buy used textbooks. It probably undignifies me in the glamorous world of antiquarian books but it helps me out through my slow months of April, May, and June. Once the weather starts warming after chilly winters Vermonters go outdoors and get their gardens ready, head up to Church Street (in Burlington) to people watch, or take to the hiking trails, go fishing. Anything to be outside and enjoy the warmer weather. Those months who feels like reading? Well, me but if I could I would also be outside. And it also helps to bring in college students to check out the store.

I didn’t mean to leave my last post up so long. I actually forgot about it. (yea, right!) Every day since I posted it I had the intention to change it but the store got busy. Today I had a conversation with a customer who mentioned the post which reminded me I had to change it. As soon as I had a moment. Here’s my moment. Late in the afternoon.

As I mentioned earlier it’s been about buying back textbooks today. I’m working with a new company as the previous was recently sold to Penntext.com. Their site is up but it’s going through revision. Should be live soon. Then one can type in an ISBN number and purchase textbooks online.  Lauren, the Remote Buyback Coordinator, was in the store for a meet and greet, and go over everything. We were even able to help a mother looking for her son’s  college books. Remember when you or your college kids are finished with the books bring them in and I’ll buy them back from you.  Cash on the spot. Actually a check but the bank is just a bit away. Then I’ll ship them to Lauren. Well, actually the company in PA.

Today I’ve also been trying to figure out a way to reconfigure the ‘front room’. Where the cash register is. I need a bigger table/counter. I think I’m going to take a door we have in  in our garage and make it into a countertop. I like that idea but now I’ve got to come up with an idea of what to lay the door on. Could make bookshelves from other doors. Oh, Rusty! What cha doing? Nothing? Oh, have I got a project for you!

Sorry for no photos. I can’t get my new laptop to recognize my cellphone. That’ll be tomorrow’s project.

Simply Running A Used Bookstore

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I have to blog about a situation that just occurred so I can shake off the experience. I don’t like writing about it but I have to. I guess so I can get past it. All about a customer confrontation. I generally don’t cross the line but I did today. Why? Because he laughed at me. That’s my trigger – laughing at me. Not with me but at me.

His comment to me as I was ringing up his purchase was, “You’re serious?” He didn’t like the cost of the book. A Vermont author signed first edition. His comeback was he was going to go online to make his purchase and take the book to the author to get him to sign it.

Generally I let comments roll right off me and don’t let them stick. What do they know about me and my store? Nothing. Do they even care? Nope! And why would they? I don’t know them. They don’t know me. I generally roll my eyes behind their back and let them just walk right out of the store and get back to my life and my store. As he was walking out I had to share with him that I pay rent, electricity… And he dared to say to me, “Oh! And those people don’t have to?” He stood there and I knew I had to stand-down. I was not going to continue. He was there for a bit more and then left.

So…my lesson? Shut-up! Know that I am doing well. I am a good person. I’ve rebuilt this store. I’m fitting into this location I’ve been enjoying for almost a year . I am proud of my accomplishments regarding this store. He was just one person who felt the need to belittle me for whatever his reasoning was. It’s his problem. Not mine. That’s all it was.
I am proud of myself that I would never, ever do that to anyone. Especially to someone trying to make a simple living owning and managing a little used bookstore.

One of the downsides of a used bookstore.

Saving Bookstores – Including Used

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I caught on FB a recent item from The Huffington Post regarding saving indie bookstores. My interest was aroused so I clicked  on the article and was immediately taken to their website and the article, “How To Save Bookstores: 28 Ideas From Existing Locations.” Obviously I’m not an indie bookstore but I thought I might be able to pull some ideas off the site and the associated blog.

Here is what I’m currently doing from the list: 2. Beautiful space. Love the space here! I have a ways to go before I’m there in terms of my design but I love it here. Want more bookshelves, labels, etc. 7. Show what good value print can be. Hey! this is a used bookstore. Ok, some books are priced high but generally those are generally out-of-print, short run, etc. Most are priced respectfully. Priced to sell. 10. Don’t ban cell phones. No rules here so no problem. I’ll even make a sale while you are talking on it. Even when you’re listening to music and don’t remove your ear pods. A sell is a sell. And again, no rules. And yes, I’ve have. I don’t judge. 12. Establish an ongoing relationship with well-known local creatives. My store is part of the Middlebury Arts Walk and I’m always trying to come up with creative ways to express art. Here at the store and me personally. It doesn’t always have to be oil or watercolor. For example for this month’s Arts Walk it was about poetry. 13. Curate a themed noticeboard. How about themed shelves? I’ve got amazing shelves in this space and I’m always trying to change them out into themes. Currently one is on red covered vintage books. Just for fun. 19. Pool resources – other bookstores. The statewide used booksellers who have regular open hours have been getting together and talking about developing a driving tour of our open stores. I would like to do something with The Vermont Book Shop but I’m too chicken to ask. I don’t know why. Maybe because I haven’t come up with a good idea yet.  27. Make your staff a feature of the store. Been doing that specially over the last four months. My grandson comes in and helps out.  He’s a huge help for being 5 1/2 months old. And so cute! That’s probably not what they mean. 28. Sell online. Check. I do that but not at the level expected. For a one-woman shop it’s fine for me. And I want you in here. To experience the book. Eight out of 28 – not too bad.

Some on the list that I don’t do and frankly not appropriate for me are: 5. Offer more than coffee. Well, I don’t offer coffee in the first place. Or tea. I do partner with Stoneleaf Tea House also in here in the Marble Works. Buy a book, show your receipt, and you’ll receive 10% off a pot of tea. Great deal. 8. Sell old books alongside new ones. New books can be found at Vermont Book Shop so I would suggest going there. We have a great relationship referring to each other.  I won’t sell new. Hopefully they won’t sell used. 15. Keychains. Well, that is a good idea but honestly, since I moved my business I’m struggling to get my business back to what it was before I moved it a year ago. But I’ll tell you, when you see keychains here you’ll know I got it back and I have a firm financial standing. I do have pens though. 16. Make a nonprofit. Wait a minute. You mean it’s not? Actually I want to make a profit. A paycheck, no matter how small, would be appreciated. 21. Sell other, high-quality book-themed products. See #8 above. 22-24. Publish, print and encourage self-publishing.   I encourage you to publish. And I wish you success. And I’ll look forward to the books eventually coming in here.  Hey why not? Keep the cycle going…

 

August 10 2012 Middlebury Arts Walk @ OCUB

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Poetry in the Park[ing Lot]

Inspiration can be found anywhere. Including a parking lot. Be a part of a Poetry Event!

How?

Marble Works Signage

Drive to and park in the north Marble Works parking lot with a copy of your favorite poem. Post the poem in your car windshield for all to read as one mingles through the lot.

Then stop in the store and view our featured poet, local resident, Ginger Dowling Miller.

And…

all poetry books will be 50% off during the Arts Walk, August 10, 2012,  5 pm-7 pm.

“Each space in the parking lot is marked with a simple bit of wisdom.” ~lisaleonardonline.com.

Otter Goals

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I am a person who sets goals for myself. I generally reach them. Some I revise because of the reality of a situation. Like in my previous job I realized that no, I didn’t want a daily commute to Montpelier even after I was strongly encourage to not pull my name from applying.  I changed my priorities.

I purchased this used bookstore and have met many of my goals and expectations. Was moving the location a goal? I think so because I wanted to elevate the business. I strongly feel that moving to the Marble Works has helped to achieve that. Don’t you? Even though I left Main Street. You know, out of the basement into the light. I’ve got beautiful windows. And atmosphere!

So, I had been working on a particular financial goal since I opened here in the Marble Works. A dollar amount for one day in sales. Once I met that goal I was to get my hair cut. Short hair equals no fuss. Goes along with my  ‘No Rules in a Used Bookstore’. Well, I made that goal! Yes! I have cut my hair! It is short. And the best part? I’ve met that goal three times since. It feels good. Good that I met a goal and good that I have my hair cut. Oh yes, I’ve set another financial goal but not tied to a hair cut. Something fun. Never will I set a goal around getting my hair cut. Nope!

 

A Year Ago…Sale!

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A year ago…

and here we are today…

Stop in and check out the space that we moved to last year, if you haven’t yet. We are in the Historic Marble Works – behind where the store had been located. Look for the blue awning. The only one in this complex.

In honor of the Big Move ALL books are 50% off for this week – July 16-21, 2012.

Enjoy!