EXCITING NEWS!!!

After talking about it for many years, my husband and I are about to open a used bookstore.

We have owned a retail business before – an ice cream parlor – so we know what it’s like to own your own business. A lot of work! A food-based business takes constant attention. We had to make sure we didn’t run out of the product – soft and hard ice cream of course, but also all the by-products such as cones, dippings, toppings, candy sprinkles and other ingredients. And since in our shop we also offered frozen yogurt and a variety of cold drinks, we had to have fruit, milk and products to make smoothies and slushes. And those are just the food items. Also required are the bowls, napkins, spoons, cups and lids and the list goes on and on..

I haven’t owned a bookstore yet (opening is in September) so I can’t swear that it will be that different from owning an ice cream store but I suspect there will be vast differences. For one thing books don’t have an expiry date (at least the good ones don’t!) We won’t be visited by food inspectors or have to calm crying children because they dropped their cone. (Yep, that happened a lot!) We’ll still have to buy the product to re-sell but we won’t have to drive a long way several times a week to a crowded wholesaler to get it. Most of the product will come right to our door!

But to actually get the thing opened and running is another thing. As it was for the ice cream shop, we will be very busy getting every little detail taken care of so that we can start selling books as soon as possible when our lease starts on September 1. There is a business at the location until then so we can’t sneak in a bit early to get a jump on things. We need to hire staff, get signage done, a phone and the internet hooked up, shelves built, cash register bought, not to mention renting a truck and hauling furniture and books to the store and do all this while the front door is open to attract book lovers. Oh, this will be fun!

I’ll be sure to write a progress report soon on this new adventure and post pictures as soon as I have them!