Whitechapel - Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/ Lussumo Vanilla & Feed Publisher Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302157#Comment_302157 2011-07-16T07:33:43-07:00 2011-07-16T07:54:02-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 Okay everyone, I'm looking for advice... When I first started chatting on Whitechapel, I mentioned in my introduction that I manage a bookstore. That bookstore happens to be a Borders (one of the ...
When I first started chatting on Whitechapel, I mentioned in my introduction that I manage a bookstore. That bookstore happens to be a Borders (one of the Express versions, we're rather small). For those of you who have not been following recent events with Borders, things are looking pretty grim. There is a possibility that, if no other company steps in, our store could be closing.

Now, personal opinions about Borders, as a corporation, aside. I'd like to type out the things that have been in my head lately and see if I'm really just crazy, a hopeless dreamer, or if people think my crazy scheming might amount to something of value.

I love my bookstore. I love my team. We are the bookstore with the most Geek per square foot and we are passionate about what we do. Our store is small, and it's in a mall, but it has the biggest heart of any little Borders that ever was. I cannot stand by and watch what we've created there just lay down and die.

My assistant manager and I have been talking about this a lot, and she's not the only one to tell me I need to take out a small business loan and buy our store. There has been much discussion about what it would take to run the store without the company, and I find myself forced to fight my own pessimistic nature to even contemplate it as a real possibility.

Here's the hard part, I have no business education for something like this. I know books, I know sales, but mostly I know people and how to lead them. Every member of my team that has spoken to me about it has said they'd back me 100% and be right there to work their asses off. Their dedication and loyalty is humbling for me, so I do not want to lead them into something as big as that without knowing it might succeed. We are all fast learners, so I know we can figure it out with a little guidance, but it seems like a huge risk. I know I'm going to overlook things in the process, since I've never had the schooling for business ownership.

I know Whitechapel is made up of people with a wide variety of skills and knowledge, folks with many different life experiences, so I am asking for your input. Do you think, with little but determination and the backing of some of the most awesome and capable people I know, we could make it work. Do you think we should try? Does anyone out there own a small business, or have experience that might help me along the way? Or am I crazy for even contemplating it in times like these?

Thank you Whitechapel.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302160#Comment_302160 2011-07-16T07:55:22-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 ravnos http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=644 Wow... accidentally closed the window in the middle of my response... let me try this again *facedesk* I think it's more important to worry about supply and demand in a case like this than whether ...
I think it's more important to worry about supply and demand in a case like this than whether you're "capable" or running a business. Since you are already running the store, and not much would be changing (other than the name and probably your supplier) you're already in a much more solid position than most people trying to start their own small business. Take a look at your sales. Take a look at what it costs to run the store. Figure out if you'd need to change your pay scale for your employees. You don't want to screw them, especially if they are backing you in this. If the cost out weights the profit, you're looking at trouble. The demand just isn't there in your area. But considering it's a bookstore I doubt that will happen.

I knew a gentleman that took a corporate owned store and bought it out and reopened it himself that ended up closing the store entirely rather than have to fire his six employees because he couldn't afford to pay them anymore. That's the biggest danger I can foresee for you. With the corporation, you're people are always guaranteed a paycheck, because on bad months the corporation covers it. When it's just you... it can be tricky, especially when you are first starting up.

On that note though, I say do it. Since you already run the store you're in a great position here, capitalize on it. Some friends and I have been discussing opening a record (vinyl)/movie memorabilia store in this area, but our biggest problem is money, and we just don't know how well it would do.

And if you're worried about not having a business education, most of the people I know in this area that run/own a business never even went to college, let alone have a business edu. So don't sweat it. You've probably learned more managing your store than you would have anyway.

Good luck!

~Ian]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302168#Comment_302168 2011-07-16T08:12:49-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 Thank you Ian, It's an interesting conundrum because we have another bookstore a couple shopping centers away from us. We've always done pretty well, but there is that competition. However, the ...
It's an interesting conundrum because we have another bookstore a couple shopping centers away from us. We've always done pretty well, but there is that competition. However, the area I live in is very "Local-centric" and has been opposed to Borders from the get-go. I guess we'd be one of the Local stores now, right? Heh. I hope that the freedom to really customize the store's stock to what the people in my area are looking for will help as far as that goes. The proximity of another bookstore is what worries me the most, I have to figure out what brings people to our store, rather than the equally lovely one across the way, and really make that our focus. I'm not interested in trying to put the other store out of business, we've coexisted well for years, so I'm hoping it won't be a big deal.

My worst fear really is that we'll get into this and I won't be able to support my team. They are what makes me love my job the most, followed by my love of books. They've shown me time and again how loyal they are to me, and it works both ways, I refuse to screw them over.

Thanks again.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302170#Comment_302170 2011-07-16T08:29:13-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 ravnos http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=644 I hate to say it, but find a gimick the other store can't copy. I'm not saying drive them under, but simply find a way to make people want to visit both stores. Serve coffee, add a vinyl section (I'm ... Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302172#Comment_302172 2011-07-16T08:30:44-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Warped Savant http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2376 Some things to consider: Running your own business costs a fair bit of money at the beginning. Will you be able to pay everyone the same rate that they're getting now? Are they expecting the same ...
The local comic shop that I go to has been open for 17 years or so. The guy that owns it bought it when he was 18, has no business schooling, I don't think he had any managerial experience, and mostly bought it because he didn't like the shop that he was buying his comics from. Is it the best run store around? No. Does he have a lot of competition? Oh hell yeah. (There's somewhere around 7 shops within a 15 minute drive, another 8 or so if you extend it to a half hour drive.) Does he have one of the longest standing stores around? Yep.

It doesn't always come down to schooling, but it can help when it comes to taxes and what not. Experience and willingness to learn is usually what makes it work. You seem to have both so if you really want to do this I would suggest really looking into the books (financial, not literary), talk to the appropriate people in the company, and see what you think you can make of it.

I wish you the best of luck.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302179#Comment_302179 2011-07-16T08:57:42-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 A lot of my employees are making close to minimum wage as it is now, so I wouldn't be paying them less than that anyway. Obviously those of us making more might not be able to continue to do so, but ...
Thanks!]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302180#Comment_302180 2011-07-16T08:59:41-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 ravnos http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=644 Just ask the mall. They'll more than likely tell you. Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302188#Comment_302188 2011-07-16T09:51:02-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Comicbookbunny http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5151 Learned that if you want to sell books- you must sell other things as well (have something for everyone to look at) A wonderful used book store (that you can easly get lost in and have someone ... He does comics and antiques and military things. (and movies)
Several comic stores are taking on video games to supplement.

Depending on where you are renting- there are sometimes business agreements (here in York) you get a few months free of rent, since they are wanting to fill space.
be VERY picky about your landlord - very picky. Do research and talk to the other business owners in the area.

And for the love of the gods Talk to an accountant, and work out taxes for payroll ect.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302204#Comment_302204 2011-07-16T11:51:04-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Darkest http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4849 The only advice I can give from opening my comic shop is keep everything that looks important and file it in an organized way and make sure you have money you can use in an emergency. Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302221#Comment_302221 2011-07-16T13:23:32-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Azabith http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4515 go for it, it is worth the risk. you are already leading a team of what sounds like a very passionate group of individuals, that is you're biggest capital. The rest is just technicalities, you ... you are already leading a team of what sounds like a very passionate group of individuals, that is you're biggest capital.
The rest is just technicalities, you already have a great story to generate some good PR (which will be a huge thing since you no longer will have the Borders name as marketing material) take that to your benefit as you will be creating your own brand now. from a business point of view, have you been covering you're expenses? if so then it is a sound investment and be prepared to show the numbers to the bank when you apply for a loan this will really help. Also you now have a chance to diversify your stock. its not only about the books, since you have the highest geek per square foot ask your staff what do they think will catch on.

This will take a lot of your time and more effort that you can imagine but trust me it will all be worth it. I say this because i used to run a bookstore once and i understand the passion behind it. My biggest challenge was when Borders opened a store on the floor above us in the mall. we had to go through some great changes to catch on. Borders had a bigger selection of books but people came to us for the interaction and the advise. We prescribed books not only recommended them. Our selection of books was then specialized and we gave that selection the attention it deserved.
there are many many points i can recommend on doing but the bottom line is listen. Listen to your staff. Listen to your customers. Do not be afraid of asking them what they think you should do to improve their experience.

summary :
1- take the jump
2- start getting your numbers organized to get the loan
3- ask and listen for feedback
4- specialize and focus
5 - add another product that will probably have a higher profit margin
6 - rebrand yourself and the store, make a lot of noise and use it to your benefit (PR and marketing)]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302250#Comment_302250 2011-07-16T19:33:23-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Purple Wyrm http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=6726 @Azabith - 6 - rebrand yourself and the store, make a lot of noise and use it to your benefit (PR and marketing) Hit it the fact that it's an employee buy out hard. Really HARD. Articles in the ... 6 - rebrand yourself and the store, make a lot of noise and use it to your benefit (PR and marketing)

Hit it the fact that it's an employee buy out hard. Really HARD. Articles in the local papers, radio interviews, even TV if you can manage it. People love stories about plucky workers carrying on for the love of their store when the big corporations abandon them, and the media love those stories because they rate well as a consequence. If you back up that publicity with an excellent range and excellent service you'll be well on the way to building a loyal customer base from day one.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302259#Comment_302259 2011-07-16T20:35:15-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 James Puckett http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2911 Move on with your life. A year ago I would have told you to try integrating used books or electronics or video games or coffee or something, but none of those really has much of a future as a ...
If you really want to keep living in the past find a way to run a bookstore as a not-for-profit entity. Maybe some old lady who loves books will keep you going for a while.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302261#Comment_302261 2011-07-16T20:49:23-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 William George http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7366 What James said. Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302272#Comment_302272 2011-07-16T23:09:33-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 RenThing http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=155 Unfortunately, I must second what James said. Most of the shops I know around the area do multiple things. In Santa Cruz there are two major bookstores on the main strip downtown, Logos and Bookshop ... Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302295#Comment_302295 2011-07-17T05:20:57-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Ed Jackson http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7577 I looked into starting a little bookshop a few years ago but didn't go through with it, as while doing my research it became painfully obvious that there was sod-all profit to be had there. I don't ... Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302351#Comment_302351 2011-07-17T13:26:27-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 @RenThing Would you shop at my store? :)
Would you shop at my store? :)]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302354#Comment_302354 2011-07-17T14:01:46-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 I know the book industry as a whole is in trouble, but i don't think it's dead yet. We have many customers who flat out refuse to even consider eReaders. What gives me hope, in the face of the ...
I'm not trying to get rich. All I want, as far as money is concerned, is to be able to pay my bills and live my life. The experiences I get to have, and the ones I can create for others, in that little store, are what make me rich. The simple joy of doing what I love, with others who love it, and introducing people to things they are going to love, that's the wealth I'm looking for. Maybe I'm being naive, but what is the value of life if you spend forty to seventy hours a week doing something you don't care about, or that you actively dislike?

Woo... rant, sorry. I appreciate the feedback, even the negative, so please don't hesitate to speak your minds. Thanks again!]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302357#Comment_302357 2011-07-17T14:20:08-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 RenThing http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=155 @Indigo Rose If your store was anywhere near where I live, and where I tend to go, yes. One of the things that my wife and I used to frequently do was go peruse the stacks at the Borders in the ...
If your store was anywhere near where I live, and where I tend to go, yes. One of the things that my wife and I used to frequently do was go peruse the stacks at the Borders in the mall while waiting for our movie times and we love going to several used bookstores if we happen to be in those areas.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302358#Comment_302358 2011-07-17T14:34:27-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 That's my Borders. Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302360#Comment_302360 2011-07-17T14:53:15-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 oddbill http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4272 @Indigo Rose - it has been my experience with bookstores, especially small, mall based ones like the one you are describing, that they present less variety and less opportunity for finding new ... less variety and less opportunity for finding new interesting things than online sources. Because they rely heavily on moving bestsellers to casual browsers in order to pay the bills, scarce shelf space is dominated by dull "summer reading" authors I have absolutely no interest in. The whole experience of entering mall based book chains became so unrewarding that I stopped doing it years ago, which is to say years before buying an eReader.

Now, when I enter a bookstore, it's either a mega-Barnes and Noble, in which I browse book covers but then buy them on my nook, or a local privately owned store where I know the owner (but even that one, sorry to say, I only enter maybe once or twice a year, when I need something that there isn't an ebook version of, and I happen to be walking by the store before I've gone through the effort of ordering it from Amazon, and am feeling a little sociable. I've noticed when I order something from this store which they don't have in stock that they themselves order it from... wait for it... Amazon.)

I read dozens of books a year, most of which I purchase new, all of which for the past year have been purchased for the nook.

People who refuse to buy eReaders are actually a dwindling herd. I really wouldn't bet the future incomes of people I like on them. I just don't see how you sustain a business selling books from a small space in a mall under these circumstances.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302371#Comment_302371 2011-07-17T16:23:27-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 tim12s http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=737 Okay - I used to be a GM for a small bookstore in the UK that has outlasted Borders, and Inventory Team Leader at Borders here in San Francisco. So I kinda know books. 1 - bookstores are ...
1 - bookstores are constantly chasing their own tails. You buy books on credit from previous sales, which any good manager knows. Publishers/Distributers will extend credit but that will gradually diminish if sales are not keeping up. Find other areas to shore up book sales.
2 - Borders pretty much sold books as loss-leaders. The biggest profit makers were 1: The Cafe, 2: The magazines (10-15% total store profit, so stock up on Cosmo & Us Weekly!), 3: Crap. Then books.

The Borders in my region that have stayed open have increased their Crap sections - Lego, Calendars, sub-letting to vendors like Papyrus. Also consider Hallmark, unless there's a Hallmark Store in the Mall, or similar greetings cards suppliers. Maybe the more alternative ones.

Consider a small area for Blu-Ray & DVD trades unless there's a FYE or similar in the Mall. Unless you can undercut GameStop, forget Computer games, too. If you go down that route, try and keep the markup on DVDs & CDs down. That killed the living fuck out of Tower Records.

As others have said, play up the whole 'Management Buyout' aspect with the press, local town business committee (I assume there is one?), radio stations etc. It's a Local Bookstore run by Local People.

Think of an amusing anagram of Borders Express so you don't have to pay for new signage. Bored Sex Books is not an option, however fun it may sound.

Have a remaindered section to lure in people with $3 Dan Brown TPBs and keep them there with the full-priced books on Nazi Alien Redneck 9/11 UFO Conspiracy Theory stuff. Also, Bibles.

Japanese crap. Cute Japanese toys and collectables. Kids love that stuff. Keep it where they can't get their greasy little mitts on it as they will fuck shit up, let the adults spend $20 on a die-cast metal beetle.

Besides the tangible objects to sell, there's also a culture aspect you can develop. I know Borders Corporate did next to fucking nothing to promote any of that. My store's PR person had a monthly budget of $50.

You want local comic creators to come in and do workshops? Writers doing readings? Local Drama Groups doing Play Readings? Kids Read Aloud on Saturday Mornings? Magic and RPG events? Local musicians performing? Scrabble Meet-Ups? Literary Lovers Speed-Dating events?

And then there's events outside the store - tables at School Fetes etc. build up an educational aspect, perhaps.


Just a few ideas.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302382#Comment_302382 2011-07-17T18:27:41-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 RenThing http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=155 @Indigo Rose Your Borders isn't the one I go to because the one in that mall is closed. Which one is your store?
Your Borders isn't the one I go to because the one in that mall is closed. Which one is your store?]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302384#Comment_302384 2011-07-17T18:29:52-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 The only mall in the Santa Cruz area (other than Pacific, since some people count that) is the Capitola one. If you are referring to that one, it is still open. That's my store. Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302386#Comment_302386 2011-07-17T19:14:12-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Emperor http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1503 One thing to keep in mind is that the store might be doing well as part of Borders but they benefit from economies of scale, in both in terms of the stock as well as all the aspects that add to ...
Azabith is right, you can generate some good publicity with the worker buyout angle - the Woolworths that were bought by their staff got a lot of local coverage (and some national, if there was a good angle). The kind of thing that will make sure people here about you, while it ensures your regulars won't wonder off because they assume you've shut.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302392#Comment_302392 2011-07-17T20:58:03-07:00 2011-07-17T21:19:26-07:00 Corey Waits http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=453 Alright. I run a little educational bookstore in Australia - I do everything that goes into the day to day running of the store except accounts. My first thought is DON'T DO IT. You know your ...
My first thought is DON'T DO IT. You know your store better than anyone, so maybe you can see it working, but it looks to me as though retail is dying. I think in 5 years the only retail left will be supermarkets, bottle shops and clothing stores (because you can't try clothes on online).

We are a niche store - we are on a college campus and we cater specifically for the students here. It's good because we have a captive audience, but it's bad because we rely exclusively on this pool of customers. Now, that captive audience is slowly going online - about a 20% decline in sales each year for the past 3 years. If it happens one more year then the shop won't be here any more (we're owned by a larger educational supplier. If it was a completely independent entity I think it would have died about 2 years ago because of the nature of sales - huge rush at the start of semester, fucking ghost town for much of the rest of semester).
The biggest killer for us is online shopping (obviously). People will come into my shop and talk loudly to each other about how it's cheaper online. Never mind the fact that they have a class that afternoon and I have the book right now - they will wait the 2-3 weeks it takes for the cheap book to arrive from the UK. There are parallel importation restrictions in place in Australia that keeps us from being able to compete price-wise with online stores, and sometimes our cost price can be higher than what you can buy the book for online.
This shouldn't be as big an issue for you, but I'm sure it will still be an issue.

Anyway, I'm basically just telling you what's going wrong here and not really giving you any advice. So, advice: get your sales & cost figures for the past 3 years (at least). Analyse these numbers. Is there a consistent drop in sales? If yes, what makes you think you can stop this trend from continuing?
That's the best piece of advice I can give. History will tell you what you need to know. If your store has actually been doing well despite the overall retail trend then I'd say go for it as long as you think you know why. If the store hasn't been doing well, or you simply can't get the figures, then don't take the risk.

Another piece of advice - discount your books. Well, maybe. There are two sides to this coin - offering a discount means you're getting less money, but these days a lot of people won't buy something unless they think they're saving money. Do it if you can afford it I suppose. A little bit less money made on a sale is better than no sale, right? Anyway, something to think about.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302397#Comment_302397 2011-07-17T21:17:52-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 RenThing http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=155 @Indigo Rose Ah, I was using those two as an example of indie bookstores; I lived in Santa Cruz from 1999-2005. I'm over the hill in SJ now (although if I were in Capitola I would shop at your ...
Ah, I was using those two as an example of indie bookstores; I lived in Santa Cruz from 1999-2005. I'm over the hill in SJ now (although if I were in Capitola I would shop at your store).]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302451#Comment_302451 2011-07-18T08:45:53-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Henchbot http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4704 All this begs the question, perhaps thread: How many WC'ers own a business? My two cents is easy as pie, I too own a new business and it aint an easy one, there is no way to know if it will work ...
My two cents is easy as pie, I too own a new business and it aint an easy one, there is no way to know if it will work yet but whats worse, opening a shop in an artisan industry that really doesn't exist here in Seattle yet (no benchmarks before to compare too), or(!) spending the rest of my life thinking I left a stone unturned, my god I wish I woulda done that.....
If you want the shop but don't think you know fuck-all about really running as proprietor then more power to you: open the store and do your best. Make shit happen as best you can, buck the odds and see what shakes out.
I hope you do it.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302548#Comment_302548 2011-07-18T18:43:06-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 William George http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7366 "Make shit happen as best you can, buck the odds and see what shakes out" If you guys are really determined to lose money on something thats relevence and usefulness are long gone, I'll ...
If you guys are really determined to lose money on something thats relevence and usefulness are long gone, I'll happily send you the direct deposit info for my bank account.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302550#Comment_302550 2011-07-18T18:52:31-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Alan Tyson http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1299 @Indigo Rose: I work in a Borders, have for the last few months. One of the best jobs I've ever had. The recent news didn't hit me like a hammer - it more came on like a headache. Best of luck ...
The recent news didn't hit me like a hammer - it more came on like a headache.

Best of luck in your endeavors! We're all rooting for you!]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302556#Comment_302556 2011-07-18T19:45:30-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Henchbot http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4704 @william george: Did you write this, on your bloghead? unlike me, many of you have accepted the situation of your imprisonment, and will die here like rotten cabbages" I like it. Sounds like we ... on your bloghead?
unlike me, many of you have accepted the situation of your imprisonment, and will die here like rotten cabbages"

I like it. Sounds like we better make MORE shit happen. Sound advice.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302576#Comment_302576 2011-07-18T22:01:13-07:00 2011-07-18T22:02:45-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 Thanks Alan, best of luck to you as well. Today was hard on all of us I'm sure. I went straight from calling all of my employees, to tell them the final word on the company, to a meeting with a ...
I went straight from calling all of my employees, to tell them the final word on the company, to a meeting with a friend of my family who has her own business and has helped many others start theirs. She didn't laugh at me or call me crazy, she started asking questions. Tomorrow I'm off to try to discover some numbers, while she starts looking into what kinds of loans are available for me. If anyone can help me, it's her.

I know this industry is suffering, I know many think books will soon become extinct, but I just can't give up on it yet.

spending the rest of my life thinking I left a stone unturned, my god I wish I woulda done that.....


Exactly.

I'm still not sure what I will do, but I am not giving up without checking the possibilities and crunching the numbers.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302705#Comment_302705 2011-07-19T20:33:54-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 mister hex http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4411 @ indigo Rose - I fucking love you, you know that? Please try. I worked the best ten years of my life in a bookstore. You're a part of the community. It's worth it. There's no money in it, fer ...
Please try. I worked the best ten years of my life in a bookstore. You're a part of the community. It's worth it. There's no money in it, fer chrissakes, it better be for the love of it. Which the bankers GET, it makes them money. Sometimes.

Good luck. God-speed.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302715#Comment_302715 2011-07-19T21:15:42-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 James Puckett http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2911 If you really are set on doing this then investigate setting up the store as a corporation that exempts you from liability for debts incurred by the business. This would be far more practical than ... Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302720#Comment_302720 2011-07-19T21:47:12-07:00 2011-07-19T21:49:45-07:00 William George http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7366 @ Henchbot: Not me. Patrick McGoohan seems likely as the author of that quote. But if you're using hoping The Prisoner as an example of the importance of fighting impossible odds, let me remind ...
But if you're using hoping The Prisoner as an example of the importance of fighting impossible odds, let me remind you that in the end, he still failed.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302776#Comment_302776 2011-07-20T08:30:01-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 Looking at the numbers gives me a little hope. Our store has been doing well. In our slowest month of the year, we tend to make more than twice the month's rent. I know that's likely to change a ...
Keep bringing the advice though, you guys help a lot, even the nay-sayers! :)]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=302778#Comment_302778 2011-07-20T08:50:05-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 manglr http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=6038 I guess one question to consider...is what is the landlord planning with the space now that the liqudation has been announced? Is the mall doing well enough as a whole that there might be some ...
Best of luck, BTW, with whatever you decide. The Borders flagship used to be my favorite bookstore back before they started the expansion drive.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303005#Comment_303005 2011-07-22T07:55:25-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 William George http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7366 Keep bringing the advice though, you guys help a lot, even the nay-sayers! :) Seriously, if you got a fucktonne of cash laying about and are optimistic that the global economy will get back to a ... Keep bringing the advice though, you guys help a lot, even the nay-sayers! :)

Seriously, if you got a fucktonne of cash laying about and are optimistic that the global economy will get back to a place people want to keep rotting trees on a shelf for the charm of it, I say do it. But if you're going to have to put up your house, car, wife, kids, mom, and maybe even your naughty bits as collateral, you'd be insane. You'd be better off opening up a McDonalds on the interstate.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303114#Comment_303114 2011-07-23T09:09:29-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 The leasing agent for the mall was super excited when we discussed the idea. The mall really needs something good in that location and they have always been happy having us there. She was even more ... Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303270#Comment_303270 2011-07-24T21:19:46-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 jonah http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=6503 I think book chains have done more to hurt book sales and turn off a generation of readers than anything else. Most chains stock books that appeal to the lowest common denominator market. A market ...
My father owns a used book store. Last I heard it was doing okay and he's in a beat down city with an economy worse than the rest of the US.

When I helped him organize I did random google searches on books and ~60% did not exist on the net at all. Another 15% existed, but not in a form you could purchase(sometimes it was just mentioned in an interview or as a source). These are all out of print(but still under copyright) books and there is a fair chance they will never be in print again or legally readable online in our lifetimes. The online sales from book collectors (1st ed.,signed, etc) make it so he doesn't have to worry so much about the day to day. Sometimes 1 used book will cover his rent for the month or more!(this is the upshot to a bad economy) The books in store are cheap to reasonably priced.

The importance of community and social interaction shouldn't be underplayed. My pops is extremely knowledgable of the fields he's interested in and can do a vastly superior and more engaging job compared to amazon's recommendation feature. He also has good taste and doesn't fuck with books that don't interest him i.e. customers can be sure he isn't pimping a book out to them by corporate mandate. He's able to spend as long as he wants interacting with a customer and will often have very in-depth discussions(hours) with them. In the evening he has community groups meet and sometimes bands play in the basement. There is a positive, energetic, free spirited atmosphere to the store that you can't replicate online or in a corporate environment.

Would his store work without the book collector sales? I dunno.

ps. For a shy person like me, I really appreciate that book (& comic) covers have let cool people come up and start talking to me. It's like a less self-conscious version of the band t-shirt. An e-reader is way too risky, what if I was reading Bill O'reilly?]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303272#Comment_303272 2011-07-24T21:56:21-07:00 2011-07-24T21:57:33-07:00 James Puckett http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2911 Most chains stock books that appeal to the lowest common denominator market. That's rubbish. If the big chains only appeal to the lowest common denominator then why are the stores so big? Why did ... Most chains stock books that appeal to the lowest common denominator market.

That's rubbish. If the big chains only appeal to the lowest common denominator then why are the stores so big? Why did they open all those 40,000+ square-foot bookstores when they could have just kept going with the 5,000 square-foot stores of women's magazines, Christian books, and pulp horror/mystery novels that dominated American bookselling before big chains? Why did my local B&N need a four-story building for selling the same stuff that fits into a tiny store at an airport boarding gate? Because Borders and B&N have done more to expose people to books than independent booksellers ever did, that's why.

I've been to hundreds of bookstores in Europe and North America and the chain bookstores have almost always had a better selection of new books than independent stores. Outside major cities the independent bookstores were never remotely comparable to the big chains. And carrying such variety is why the big chain stores tanked. The truth is that few people read most books and most books sell used cheap. Art, philosophy, political science, history, poetry, esoteric fantasy and sci-fi, science, linguistics; these are all subjects that were often better represented in chain stores than in independent specialty shops. But the only people who buy those books are nerds smart enough to know that all those books can be found used for a lot less money. I just dropped $25 on three used linguistics texts that would have been over $200 new. And that's why Borders and B&N tanked—it never occurred to them that the reason the old independent stores were tiny shops full of Stephen King, Tony Hillerman, and Billy Graham is that most people don't read anything else anyway. They spent billions of dollars trying to sell relatively obscure books to customers that never existed.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303296#Comment_303296 2011-07-25T07:00:57-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 warrenellis http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2 If the big chains only appeal to the lowest common denominator then why are the stores so big? Because the lowest common denominator is the biggest. That's maths. They teach it in schools and ... If the big chains only appeal to the lowest common denominator then why are the stores so big?

Because the lowest common denominator is the biggest. That's maths. They teach it in schools and everything.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303317#Comment_303317 2011-07-25T09:39:09-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 Precisely. If I am able to reopen our tiny bookstore, it will still have a HUGE Romance section. Why? Because it's what pays the bills, it's what sells, because it's what people want. I'm not ...
If I am able to reopen our tiny bookstore, it will still have a HUGE Romance section. Why? Because it's what pays the bills, it's what sells, because it's what people want. I'm not saying Romance is for the lowest common denominator, it's just an example of a section I don't often personally read. The thing is, I have MANY wonderful customers who come in on a regular basis to buy Romance novels. While it would be fantastic to have a book store full of just the books WE love and want to share with everyone, not only would I feel it's unfair to many of my customers, but not everyone is going to come in looking for what WE like. If having section after section of books some people would consider "lesser" means we can afford to ALSO stock the books we want to introduce people to, then that's what we'll do.

Anyway, things are moving simultaneously too quickly and too slowly for me. Our liquidation sale is in full swing, and the mall leasing agent is fully on board with our plans, but i still need to secure the loans. Meanwhile, being in the store, with all it's liquidation signage and hordes of vultures, is wearing us all down. It's a daily struggle not to snap at people who are insensitive to the fact that my colleagues and I have all just been informed we are losing our jobs. Not only losing our jobs, but losing a job we love. Their behavior leaves one wondering what ever happened to that so-called human decency.]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303965#Comment_303965 2011-07-30T11:00:06-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 Indigo Rose http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4487 Well, now there's a choice to be made. I have met with someone who owns several small toy stores not far from here and is interested in opening a small bookstore. He expressed an interest in ...
I have met with someone who owns several small toy stores not far from here and is interested in opening a small bookstore. He expressed an interest in reopening our store, with a few changes, but keeping the staff. This would relieve me of the financial and legal burdens of trying to reopen the store myself, but it would still not be my store. There would be a much larger focus on toys and, while he says I would have a lot of freedom to run things my way, he would call all the big shots.

I am trying to weigh the safety and security of letting someone else own the store against the opportunity to own it and run it the way we want, without anyone else telling us what to do. It's almost like going right back to what we had with Borders, but on a smaller scale. I know that things could be much better, since we would not have many levels of hierarchy above us, but I also know there are many things we'd like to do that we may not be able to.

I'm probably being silly and should just choose the safe bet, but part of me keeps playing out the "What if"s in my mind...]]> Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303972#Comment_303972 2011-07-30T11:47:46-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 government spy http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=6088 Is it possible to buy the store from him eventually? (I have no idea how any of this stuff works) Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303991#Comment_303991 2011-07-30T14:01:42-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 James Puckett http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=2911 From what you described it seems like most of your retail management experience is running a money-losing bookstore that was part of very badly-managed chain. So if you do go into business with total ... Practical Advice On Opening A Bookstore Requested http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10043&Focus=303995#Comment_303995 2011-07-30T14:40:53-07:00 2013-05-25T03:09:50-07:00 oddbill http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4272 I think he made the point upthread that his store, while a Borders, was making a profit in it's location. So he was not managing a money losing store.