"Prospering"

My store and I were in the Bulletin this morning, quoted in the "PROSPERING" article. When Jeff McDonald called, I was flattered that he included me in the list of stores that were "obviously doing well, even in down times."

The quote below says I'm tripling my book selection by October. Probably more accurate to say, doubling by mid-October, tripling by Christmas. And he left out my hearty laugh when he asked, "How are you going to fit them in?" Which, so far, every single person I've told has asked.

Don't worry. I got a plan.

The full quote, here:

"Another downtown shop, Pegasus Books of Bend, has seen gross sales drop 10 percent to 12 percent, but its profits have increased due to changing inventory and ordering practices, said owner Duncan McGeary.

McGeary — who added new books to his inventory of comic books, used books and games about a year and a half ago — plans to double or triple the number of his new books by mid-October, he said.

“All my other parts of the store are either even or down a little,” McGeary said. “Books are like a second source of income. I’m not going for books that are best-sellers. I’m looking for timeless, great books that people like to read.”

Interesting article, with a mix of some candor and some evasiveness on the part of store owners, just what you'd expect. I'm always surprised by the candor, frankly, (other than my own) but then, everyone has to know that times are 'challenging'. In a 25 year career, you have to expect up times and down times, even very down times; even just statistically. There is a cycle, and it's best to acknowledge it and deal with it.

It can also be a time of opportunity, if you play it right.