Some tips from the Pros on how to operate a successful bookshop.
For readers, walking by a bookstore and not entering is inconceivable. We just can’t bring ourselves to not pass through that door and take in that “bookstore smell.” It’s a real thing the bookstore smell, like a seductive perfume. There’s a mixture of ink, paper, old hardwood floors, and ageless wisdom with a few shakes … Read more
Strolling through a bookshop with time on your hands to pick and choose books that intrigue you, pulling them out, reading the covers, putting one back and selecting another to purchase, and seeing recommendations from booksellers is a wonderful hands-on pastime. This universal shared experience occurs anywhere in the world. But often, one moment in … Read more
When he opened Main Street Books in 1988, Fred Powell’s plan was limited to serving the community. He had no experience in writing or publishing nor did he have a love of books greater than any other educated person. He had adopted Frostburg and wanted to start a business that his neighbors said they thought … Read more
Growing up in South Florida in the 70s and 80s, there was a great bookstore at the corner of US1 and Sunrise Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale called “All Books and Records.” Though it’s been gone for probably a decade now, I still can picture the inside. With what had to be at least 20,000 square … Read more
I am very late to getting up to speed on the Amazon/Hachette dispute. I apologize in advance to those for whom this post will elicit a giant Duh. Until a few months ago, I was a clueless civilian. Today, I still only have in stock approximately 100 titles and a handful of puzzles, selling at a farmers market … Read more
I hope the readers of the Bookshop Blog can help me out here. What is a bookseller’s job description, especially when the bookstore has a staff of one? Because I have young children, I try to limit my work days to Wednesday-Friday, which are the days my elder daughter is at day camp. By the time … Read more
I admit that there are occasions when I wonder if my business associates and I are delusional about opening a bookstore. Fortunately, those doubts are often put to rest when I read stories like this one: “Indie Booksellers: ‘Indispensible Players in Community Life.’” There are so many great quotes in this article that remind me … Read more
by Jas Faulkner “How long ago was Bush president? No need to answer. It’s a rhetorical question. Take a look at this.” Sam, who was on book sorting detail, bent down out of frame of her webcam and straightened back up. In each hand she was holding a trade paperback. In her left was Molly … Read more
