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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! 😉

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!

2012! Otterly Fantastic!

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I am so excited about 2012 with all the changes that have happened here in the store. For one, the new location. I am very happy here in Middlebury’s Marble Work area. Just a few steps from Main Street. Not that far from the previous location.

Just for the record, only one person has complained about the store’s new location. I just chalk it up to her being a cranky old lady. 🙂

I’m still settling in. I thought I would have been done by now but I’m not. Seems every other day a friend comes by to bring in new inventory so I’ve been dealing with those boxes. I have gone to the storage units. I’ve opened the doors and well, looked in and then closed the door. I don’t know why. Some day I’ll tackle them. Hopefully soon. Got some great books in those boxes.

Took a couple of days and went book scouting. That is so much fun! And no sooner than those books got unpacked and shelved they were sold. Makes me feel good. I’m knowing my customers.

Stop by. Poke around. And remember you can find some of my books online by visiting Abebooks.com or Biblio.com. And  while you are at it check out the VABA (Vermont Antiquarian Booksellers Association) website: http://www.VermontIsBookCountry.com.

All Signs Point to Otter Creek Used Books!

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Marble Works Signage

Signage is up on the kiosks here in the Marble Works. The store’s new home! Yea! Now people should find me. Fingers crossed!

The store is in the North Marble building. See it there? The third long building from the bottom of the photo. See the parking lot? Lots of parking now. Right in front. Now you can hop from the car to the store. Easy to carry books from the store to your car. 😉

And listing is alphabetically: second column, 9th down. See it? Yea, I’m pretty excited to see it. Great to see one’s name up in lights. Only…ok…no lights and it’s not my name. It’s the next best thing! My store is listed.

Ok, so guess it doesn’t matter. Just had a couple in here who couldn’t find the store and had to ask for directions. mmmm. Even when I was on Main Street people couldn’t find the store. Yes, I’m serious. Ugh!

Main Street Door - note map, announcement AND photo of new front door!

On the old store’s front door I posted a sign to let/remind people that I moved. Added a map with directions – dots to follow to lead customers to the new front door. And included a visual – a photo of the new front door so people would be able to find the store better. And to look for the blue awning. The only blue awning down here. So… still people are having problems finding me. What else can I do?

I did have an idea to paint otter paws leading from Main Street to the new store. I seriously contemplated it. It would have been too obvious who had done the dirty deed. Agree? But it would have been fun to do in the dead of night. No moon. People waking up to see otter paw prints in town. The mystery of it all. Oh! My! What size otter could make those paws? Ah, but then some smartie would say how interesting that they lead from one store to the other. Yea, too obvious.

Little Leather Notebook

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I came across a little leather notebook that was filled with books read by the previous
owner. The listing begins in 1936 and ends 1999. There are also little tidbits included within the pages: how-to shorten pants including drawings, a list of who to invite to a card party, barometer information (rising and falling), books to be on the watch for. There is also a separate tally of how many fiction and non-fiction books were read per year. The lists were faithfully keep throughout until I’m assuming the book was filled. Which it is.

I thought it would be interesting to see what this woman read in 1936. I wonder how old she was and what her life was like. Maybe we can tell by the titles/authors. Here it is as she jotted it down:

“Books Read -1936 – Beginning Nov.

  • IF I HAD FOUR APPLES, J. Lawrence
  • SPRING COMES AGAIN, Bess Streeter Aldrich
  • HEAVEN’S MY DESTINATION
  • B.C., Bernard McFadden
  • MISS BISHOP, Aldrich
  • NOW WE SET OUT, Susan Ertz
  • SKIN DEEP
  • BRAIN TESTS, Gibson
  • THOSE FITZENBERGERS, Martin
  • THE EXILE, Pearl Buck
  • MARRIED SWEETHEARTS
  • NOW IT CAN BE TOLD, Philip Gibbs
  • CHARM OF THE ANTIQUE, Shackleton
  • GONE WITH THE WIND, Marg. Mitchell
  • SUMMER LIGHTENING, Corliss
  • THE SOUND OF RUNNING FEET, J. Lawrence
  • EDNA: THE WIFE, Harriet Ayer Barnes
  • THE CLOCK BOOK, Nutting
  • AROUND THE WORLD IN 11 YRS, Abbe
  • CANDLE INDOORS
  • MARRIAGE IS POSSIBLE, Widdemer
  • WOMAN ALIVE
  • THE MAINSPRING

Total read: 23
15 F.  8 N.F.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Think I’m Getting There…Organized, that is.

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A customer told me putting a used bookstore back together again must be like putting a puzzle together. Well, yes it is! Yes! It is. Fortunately I like putting puzzles together.

I would say that most shelves are organized. Some are still going to be moved around but not today. I’ll save that for another day. Been spending most of my days getting books up, removing boxes stored at my house (all gone, yea!), and other used bookstore stuff. The next will be to tackle one of the storage units I secured for the move. Yeah….

Business has been okay since I moved in. I know leaving Main Street would hurt somewhat but I’m optimistic of this new space. I know it will work out. How couldn’t it? It is full of light! Windows. I’m sitting here at my desk beside one and have a glorious view of a parking lot. No, I’m not being snide. It’s wonderful!  The sky, too. I see the rolling clouds coming in. It’s perfect. I can’t wait for winter to experience it here. I know it is going to be snuggly. And there are nooks and crannies full of books. …happy sigh….

I Made It!

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Front Door

I’m here! I’m finally all moved out from the old space and trying to get settled in the new space. I’m now in the get-the-books-up-on-the-shelves mode. So many boxes! So many books! So much fun! Truly! Stop by and check it out. I’ll post more once I feel I bit more settled in.

Happiness!

Reflection

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Looking from the backdoor towards the front.

I’m asked periodically if I always wanted to own a [used] bookstore. Was it a life goal? With a pending high school reunion (40th) I find myself reflecting on how this came to be. Me, owning a used bookstore. Was this my journey? How did this happen? Of course, I’m also asking myself HOW could I be celebrating (?) my 40th high school reunion? When did I get ‘old’?

So looking back on my life the first time I really remember having an association with books is actually when we moved to Vermont. I was 8. Though I do remember quite vividly (even in my old age) when I learned to read. I was in first grade (Ballston Spa, NY) and was in the low reading group. Those who couldn’t read. Book of choice was, of course, DICK AND JANE. Suddenly the letters became words and then the words became sentences! I remember jumping up and yelling, “I can read!” and started reading out loud and wouldn’t stop until I had finished the book. I ran home shouting all the way. We lived three blocks from the school. I didn’t stop until I found my mother and then started reading to her. I also remember learning the word “island” and it’s correct pronunciation from my brother, #1. A cherished memory. And by the way, after learning to read, the next day I was placed in the top reading group. No holding me back!

When we moved to the Middlebury area (Weybridge) I would ride my bike to the Ilsley Public Library and enjoyed walking around the library shelving and would even sneak along Main Street (we actually weren’t allowed to go into the town) to the Vermont Book Shop to admire their books. Each summer Ilsley would host a reading contest with the winner of each age category receiving a special prize for reading the most books. And each year I would vow to be that winner! Only I never won. One year out of total disgust I asked the librarian why I wasn’t declared the winner because clearly I read the most. We had gummed stars representing the number of books we had devoured after our name. I had proof! I was told of course I couldn’t win because I didn’t live in Middlebury. The winner had to be from Middlebury. Heart broken! My first lesson in self-satisfaction. Though I couldn’t be named the winner I was clearly the winner and everyone knew that. I had the most stars!

Looking down the front stairs from Main Street

I’ve always been an avid reader enjoying my books – when younger – in a tree, in a specially built fort, or even sitting on my parent’s front steps. Spread out in a chair. I’d read just about anything. Except for Nancy Drew. Hardy Boys were my hero.

I was an adult when I dared to venture into a used bookstore. It was magic for me. All the books! All the piles! The smells. It was amazing. A positive experience that stayed with me. Once inside I had to visit other stores to see what they offered. How were they set up? What treasure would I find? I’d like to think that my store is bringing to life all those memories and sharing those experiences.

Though I really didn’t think I’d own a used book store I am so happy I do. And I’m finding I’m not all that surprised. Books will never go out. There will always be readers of paper books. And those who appreciate and need to hold a used book. Like me. Like you.