Ever dreamed of owning a bookstore?

Vogin · Post by **Vogin** » 03 Mar 2011, 06:50

Jp1978 wrote:I don't want a bookstore. I want a library.

I always thought libraries are solely non-profit organizations run by municipalities, government and stuff? But I suppose you could found one too, e.g. in case you don't have to worry about money anymore.

ShipOfFools · Post by **ShipOfFools** » 04 Mar 2011, 07:22

I've thought about it before.

But the closing of Borders, one of my favorite stores, shows that people aren't interested in buying conventional books nowadays. Today, it's all digital crap.

If I owned a bookstore, it probably would go under. There used to be a wonderful bookstore down the street from me, and it closed because of lack of interest.

ResearchScholar · Post by **ResearchScholar** » 04 Mar 2011, 22:43

What has recently happened to Borders is what someone a year ago had predicted to me would happen to the book trade. He was in the book trade and decided a year ago to give up the business with a RETIREMENT SALE @ 50% off on every title. He was very prescient.

The sun may even be setting on school textbooks, as schools start to convert to having kids use tablets and other e devices.

Aileenhu · Post by **Aileenhu** » 05 Mar 2011, 21:24

I haven't thought of wanting to own a book store. For me anyway, there's not much point. I'm only thirteen.

I'd actually prefer to be a librarian. In my opinion, a librarian reads more books than that of a book store owner.

I'm too young, but even if I were older, I'm not too interested.
Ail.

Woodland Nymph · Post by **Woodland Nymph** » 10 Mar 2011, 17:22

I don't think I would ever want to own a bookstore - or any business for that matter; that would be far too stressful for me. However, I would love to be an employee in a bookstore or maybe even a librarian.

Wulaishiwo2 · Post by **Wulaishiwo2** » 10 Mar 2011, 20:45

I have a dream of one book bar that play soft music, and sale simple sofe drink, have many catagory books, also accept second-hand book.....

Tralala · Post by **Tralala** » 10 Mar 2011, 22:49

I'd sell books, plus old music, spikes, weird tshirts, mug shots on mugs (Wendy O. Williams, Frank Sinatra, Patty Hearst, Johnny Cash, John Wayne Gacy, Billie Holiday, Sid Vicious, Jim Morrison, Rosa Parks, etc.), lunch boxes....rubber chickens....I'd probably stay in business for about two days.

Topix · Post by **Topix** » 11 Mar 2011, 15:10

Zekes · Post by **Zekes** » 16 Mar 2011, 22:49

It would be nice if I have my own book store. Because I would easily pick which book will I read and there's no need for me to go to other stores right?

hopeingod · Post by **hopeingod** » 03 Apr 2014, 11:24

My ex-wife and I once owned and operated a small bookstore in SW PA. Stock came from purchasing estates sales. In the early '80s, we began in small steps, in a little town where we managed the only trade bookstore in the entire county.

The steel mills closed, which caused the closing of many businesses, and we feared we might be next, so we sold after six years. Down to Florida we moved, thinking chances of finding employment and a new start wouldn't be without a few challenges, but it turned out to be our undoing. We split up, I moved across the bay, found a fed. govt. job where I've now been working for 27 years, and I continue to sideline in the sale of books online (Amazon).

At one time, my listing reached above 4000 titles, but today is far less than that after competitors came in like a flood with their penny prices. A penny a book! Who can compete with that, unless I too rented a huge storage facility and hired stockmen.

Today, I'm still pretty good at finding that occasional money maker at garage sales and flea markets. For instance, three newly published law books I purchased at a local flea market, and within a couple of weeks sold them online for $400. I've had books written by Sadam Hussein and literature from Germany during WWII that I sold for impressive prices, although still not that big money one dreams of.

Anyone else ever own a bookstore? or do you sell online as well? For me, books seem to grow in the dark. My personal library is comprised of numerous genres, with my largest collections in war (especially the Holocaust), classic literature, and westerns. Lately, I've been on a Victorian kick, reading Hardy, Beade and others, mostly for the challenge of gaining a better vocabulary. I earned a BA in Literature in 1980.
David

thebookworm4ever · Post by **thebookworm4ever** » 08 Apr 2014, 16:45

I have dreamed of owning a bookstore but there is also other jobs that involve literature that I would like to try.

jlsharp · Post by **jlsharp** » 08 Apr 2014, 17:38

Dream job if there were a guarantee of it not going under...

Scorsee · Post by **Scorsee** » 08 Apr 2014, 17:49

I have definitely thought about having a bookstore when I'm older. Preferably one with a little tea shop. I love the idea of a having a place with winding shelves filled with both old and new books.

lbuckman · Post by **lbuckman** » 08 Apr 2014, 21:46

I think it would be great to own a used book store - the idea of sharing the fun of reading to more people is very appealing!

shanson1 · Post by **shanson1** » 09 Apr 2014, 00:01

Though the very thought of owning a bookstore would be oh so amazing, I actually love the idea of working in a library. There is a different vibe between a bookstore and a library. Perhaps I'm the only one who notices it. But a library holds such great knowledge, peace, and wisdom, it is almost like the heaven to all bookstores. Whereas bookshops are a haven.