Independent Bookstore Openings: Another Good Year

January 10, 2008

The American Booksellers Association welcomed 115 new bookstores that opened for business in 2007. This was the third year in a row that the number of bookstore openings topped one hundred.

"We're happy to report that 115 ABA member stores opened in 2007," said ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz. "This is very good news and an indication of a growing trend among communities that are recognizing the unique contributions of local independent businesses. These new ABA member stores offer a one-of-a-kind environment and knowledgeable owners and staff who are dedicated to serving their neighborhoods."

The new bookstore openings were spread across 35 states, and included a branch store of Florida's Books & Books on Grand Cayman Island and a member store in La Paz, Mexico. The largest number of openings was in California, which welcomed 17 new stores; followed by eight openings in New York; seven each in Georgia and Oregon; six in Michigan; and five each in Colorado, Minnesota, and North Carolina.

Photography by Andrew Bordwin

On November 1, Cynthia Conigliaro celebrated the grand opening of Archivia Books, on New York's Upper East Side. The 800-square-foot store specializing in architecture, art, design, decorative arts, gardens, and interiors marks a return to bookselling for Conigliaro. For 11 years, Conigliaro and Joan Gers were co-owners of a similar, but much smaller, design-oriented bookstore. In 2001, the pair sold the store, but after the events of 9/11, the new owner found it difficult to keep the business going and within two years closed the store.

At the time of the sale, Conigliaro planned to retire; however, she decided "retirement was awful" and missed the book business after being in it for two decades. Now, Conigliaro is back in bookselling with a much bigger store and as the business' sole owner, with the "invaluable support" of manager Will Rogers.

Customer response during Archivia's first two months has been "really incredible," said Conigliaro. "People walk in and say how lovely it is to have us in the neighborhood and how beautiful the space is. They also appreciate that if they have a design question or problem, they can come in and look at five different design books. Looking at five book jackets online doesn't quite achieve the same thing."

Mollie Loughlin, owner of The Book Vine, said the residents of Cherokee, Iowa, welcomed her store's early November opening with enthusiasm. "The town was excited to have a bookstore again," she said, adding that Cherokee's last bookstore, which was a quarter-century old, had closed more than a year ago.

Loughlin and her husband restored a 115-year-old brick building that had been the town mercantile to house the 2,000-square-foot bookstore, which is two stories, with a mezzanine that serves as a reading and writing center. The building features tin ceilings, a fireplace, and tall bookcases with a sliding ladder.

The Book Vine serves coffee, but Loughlin won't be opening a cafe. "We have a really lovely coffee shop and cafe in town, and we wouldn't want to compete with it," she said. "Being in a small town, we have to take care of each other. We do sell their coffee and tea."

Cherry Street Books in Alexandria, Minnesota, is actually on Broadway. "My sister once lived at 22 Cherry Street, and I always thought it sounded like it was right out of a novel," said owner Kathleen Pohlig. "Everyone asks about the name," she added.

The 1,300-square-foot general bookstore opened in June. "We had one of our biggest sales days the first day that we were open," she said. "People were waiting in anticipation." Before Cherry Street opened, Alexandria had only a Christian bookstore and a used-book store.

The general bookstore has an outstanding children's literature section, said Pohlig. "I have three grandchildren, and I want to make sure that there's lots of good children's books available."

Pohlig opted against renting and bought the store's downtown location. "It's the newest building in a two or three block area. Everything else is at least 75-years-old, so it's unique. The interior is an arched ceiling made of corrugated metal. I didn't like it at first, but I painted rich, warm colors on the walls and added cherry-colored bookcases, and we've gotten lots of compliments."

Mysterious Future Bookstore, a 2,000-square-foot science fiction and mystery bookstore in Santa Rosa, California, which opened in late April, has benefited from the support of other area bookstores, said owner Sharon Halton. "None of us can carry every book," she explained. "So we send each other customers. Participating in a local book fair has also helped us [attract new customers]."

Halton said she'd always planned on opening a bookstore when she retired, but decided she would "open one now rather than wait 15 years." Halton is enjoying her new career. "I love pointing out books to customers and having books new to me pointed out as well," she said. "I've had a lot of fun discovering new authors."

Lynne Benedict opened StoryVille Books in Federal Heights, a suburb of Denver, Colorado, in late August. The 3,150-square-foot store, which sells used books, is working towards doubling its customer base to achieve profitability. Benedict's plans to boost business include offering a family-and-friends coupon. "We're telling customers that anyone who drags in a new customer, the customer and their friend will receive a $2 coupon off of their next $10 purchase," she explained.

A self-described "bookaholic" with some retail experience, Benedict became a bookseller after becoming "tired of corporate America."

StoryVille's customers, who come from across the city, are drawn to the bookstore's open space and wide aisles, with artwork from local artists on the walls. "We're not a cramped bookstore," said Benedict. "We're specifically designed to be wheelchair and handicapped accessible." --Karen Schechner

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