Christmas

Right Around the Corner

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2014_ChristmasI’ve been trying to keep up with holes on the shelves with the new arrivals.

The store is open on Sundays throughout the month (11 am-3 pm) and it is a fun time to be in the store. I enjoy Sundays and evening hours the best in here. I guess because I find the store cozier. Sundays are so relaxing and the evening light is magical in here.

Small Business Saturday was great fun. I had a number of people fill out tickets for a $30 in-store certificate. The best part was asking the question, what is your favorite book. Responses were varied with most people saying they don’t have just one and didn’t want to name one without naming them all. My kind of people! Some left the line blank. Here are a few titles given: ATLAS SHRUGGED, THE GLASS CASTLE, THE BOOK THIEF, A MODERN HERBAL, PLANET OF ADVENTURE. The winner of the drawing was Marcia from Ferrisburgh whose favorite book is HOW TO KNOW HIGHER WORLDS.

An Otter Merry Christmas!

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Two weeks before Christmas. It feels oh so magical with all the fresh snow. And this is turning into a very special Christmas for my family. We welcomed a new grandchild into our family yesterday, 12/10/2014.  Lincoln Thomas. Mother and baby are doing very well. He is a wee one but healthy.

Stag & Doe Night

Merry Middlebury Stag & Doe Night

Guess What’s Around the Corner? Yep! Holidays!

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1-christmas2014Christmas. New Year’s. Right around the corner. Am I ready? Maybe… Ha! I’ve had my ideas flowing as for decorating the store (never mind my house). Mainly the windows in front, window in the Big Yellow Room, as well as for curb appeal. I started thinking about the windows before Halloween. I think I’ve got it set in my mind as to how it all will come together. Guess I better get cracking!

Inventory? Well, I have new (or rather new used…) books coming in all the time, so I think I’m okay with that. One just never knows what will come in. I do want to hunt down some more children’s books appropriate for the season, and vintage Christmas books. Oh, I’ve ordered more buttons from beanforest. Love his sense of humor and so do my customers! Those just arrived today. Yea!

I have been out straight since I was away for a few days in November. The constant SPS (sorting, pricing, shelving). Makes for a busy, busy used bookstore lady.

Today is Black Friday so it always make for an interesting day. Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday. I’m also using the day to celebrate 8 years of owning the store. Eight years! Time sure goes by fast when you are having fun. And it has. And it has been. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. So for SMS (Small Business Saturday) there will be refreshments, a drawing for a gift certificate to the store as well as those who spend over $25 will be entered for a Better Middlebury Partnership drawing for Middlebury Money. It’s just going to be a fun day so stop in when you are in Middlebury!

 

 

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!