Shane Gottwals

Sidelines – What Does Your Bookshop Carry?

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Sidelines
Shane Gottwals
Gottwals Books
www.gottwalsbooks.com

What are those “extra” items you keep in stock?  My wife and I have recently begun to carry educational puzzles and toys, with mixed success.  (I, of course, want them to fly off the shelves, but I guess I should be patient.)
I was told one time that “Books are what makes the business; sidelines are what keep the doors open.”  Gottwals Books is opening a second location (www.gottwalsbooks.com), and we just decided to stock $20,000 worth of toys by the time we open in another month or so.
A well-known toy store in our shopping center closed down (due to the fact that it was a national chain that went belly-up).  So, the thought of replacing this shop while opening our own is very appealing.  Why not bring those customers into our shop that might be coming in for toys?
Well, I have been a little concerned with the decision.  I want people to know that we carry toys, but I don’t want to lose our identity as a serious bookstore.  We have 30-40 feet of window space to display the pretty, colorful, plush toys, but will that push anyone away?  I assume that, as long as we keep it a “bookstore that carries toys” instead of a “book and toy store,” we’ll keep that long-acquired identity.bookstore_sidelines

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Opening Hours of a Great Bookstore – Is Less More ?

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What Store Hours Say about You
Shane Gottwals
www.gottwalsbooks.com

24hoursThere is nothing more frustrating than that locally-owned business who chooses to close right before or right after you arrive, correct?  It’s almost like the indie shops should do everything like the larger chain stores, including hold early and late hours.
Why should customers expect this out of privately-owned business?  Well, when you think about it, we often tout that we deserve their business in order to “keep it local.”  Don’t the customers deserve extended hours?  Don’t they deserve everything that the chain stores can give?
This is just the thing.  Indie bookshops are not corporate giants.  Oftentimes, even these giants will keep late hours while not making large profits during those hours simply so that they are known as an all-hour joint.  Confusing?  I call it the “Wal-Mart Effect.”  Anyone will shop at Wal-Mart because of their lack of exclusivity.  In other words, they have, literally, an open door policy.  They never shut!  Psychologically, this gives the consumer confidence, knowing that this particular business does not and will not shut down.

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