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Opening an Independent bookstore.

  • 03-03-2021 3:43pm
    #1
    ron29
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭


    I'd love to hear peoples thoughts on opening a bookstore. Has anyone here any advise or opinions. I realise that a love of books doesn't correlate to running a bookstore. I understand that bookshops are not highly profitable but this would be more a lifestyle decision for me. Obviously I'd like it to be successful but if I could earn a living wage I'd be happy too. I live in a good sized town that is growing. Population of about 25000. Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    mneylon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,740 ✭✭✭mneylon


    Bookshops are great, but there's a reason a lot of them have been struggling.

    If I was going to open a bookshop now I'd be looking at focussing on a niche of some kind.

    New?
    Secondhand?
    Antiquarian?

    What would your USP be?

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  • #3
    ron29
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭ron29


    I would be hoping to open a destination bookshop. One that has literary events and group/book clubs etc. All new books and possibly a secondhand section. I'd probably have to supplement the book sales with a possible crafts area or speciality cards.
    Some ideas I'm toying with are free teas and coffees. I'd like to see the shop as a community asset.


  • #4
    BailMeOut
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭BailMeOut


    ron29 wrote: »
    I would be hoping to open a destination bookshop. One that has literary events and group/book clubs etc. All new books and possibly a secondhand section. I'd probably have to supplement the book sales with a possible crafts area or speciality cards.
    Some ideas I'm toying with are free teas and coffees. I'd like to see the shop as a community asset.


    Coffee and tea and local events is a good idea however do not do for free. Consider opening late with acostic music, readings, poetry and maybe wine/cheese?

    I live in a very small town that has three really great books shops that are all lovely and locals seems to support.


  • #5
    silver2020
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,045 ✭✭✭silver2020


    Drop into Woodbine books in Kilcullen (when it reopens) and chat to them. - They were tech people and did a lifestyle change and seem to be enjoying it.


    You also have an umbrella group which is invaluable for a new start up
    https://www.booksellers.org.uk/booksellingireland?


  • #6
    bocaman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 230 ✭✭bocaman


    If you want a template for opening a new bookshop look no further than Red Books in Wexford town. New and secondhand books, instore readings, their own magazine and press. The best of luck with this venture, you cant have enough bookshops.


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  • #7
    ron29
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭ron29


    silver2020 wrote: »
    Drop into Woodbine books in Kilcullen (when it reopens) and chat to them. - They were tech people and did a lifestyle change and seem to be enjoying it.


    You also have an umbrella group which is invaluable for a new start up
    https://www.booksellers.org.uk/booksellingireland?

    I was actually in that shop a couple of years ago after I read an article in the Irish Times . Lovely shop. Thanks


  • #8
    MrGaryFox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 ✭MrGaryFox


    Massive bookshop fan here so biased opinion incoming. Margins will be low so definitely look at combining it with another source of income within the store. Coffee is the obvious addition here. Definitely don't do free. Lovely idea in theory, awful in reality. Free only works when you are hooking in customers to stay for a long time spending money continuously, e.g. casinos giving out free booze.

    I'd focus on online with an offline presence. Build for online and use your store as essentially an events space and showroom. Design it with events/other revenue generating incomes in mind. If budget allows, get a space that is big enough to cater for events.

    As other posters said, what is your niche/USP? When people think about 'Ron's Books", what is the one sentence they would say to their friends. What do you want to be known for. For example, "I was in Ron's Books yesterday and they have the world's biggest selection of autobiographies, how mad is that?" Or I was in Ron's Books and they offer 2 day delivery.


  • #9
    mneylon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,740 ✭✭✭mneylon


    MrGaryFox wrote: »
    As other posters said, what is your niche/USP? When people think about 'Ron's Books", what is the one sentence they would say to their friends. What do you want to be known for. For example, "I was in Ron's Books yesterday and they have the world's biggest selection of autobiographies, how mad is that?" Or I was in Ron's Books and they offer 2 day delivery.
    Exactly

    Why would I go into your bookshop or drive to it, if I can get exactly the same thing from the comfort of my home?

    Is there something in the shop that makes it inherently interesting?

    Do the staff have some kind of special skill?

    Does it offer access to something you cannot find anywhere else?

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