Monday, January 14, 2013

An Interview with an Independent Bookstore Owner

By Beth Groundwater

In 2010, I interviewed one of my favorite independent bookstore owners and posted it on my personal blog. It's such a great interview and Natalie Johnson is such a wonderful bookstore owner that I thought she deserved repeat exposure. In light of the recent news in Shelf Awareness that Independent bookstore sales were up 8% in 2012, I thought it would be enlightening to read an interview with a hardworking store owner who is still making a go of it in Manitou Springs, CO. Natalie is also the source for mail-ordered autographed copies of my books, so please feel free to contact her if you'd like to help her out with an order!


The above photo is of me signing my first book for some friends in Natalie's lovely store, Black Cat Books. On with the interview!

1. How did you get into the book selling business and acquire your own store?

I sort of fell into the bookstore business. I moved to Manitou Springs eight years ago and decided that I wanted to live and work here. Since there aren't many job opportunities in Manitou, I had to create my own. When I looked back on my life experiences, it was clear that this is what I was born to do. Several years prior to moving out here, I wrote a thesis on chain bookstores, had worked in several bookstores, ran a community center in Seattle and had been a waitress on and off for most of my working life. All of these things came together and I opened a community-centered bookstore with a license to sell wine and beer.

2. Tell us more about your store, including its history and location. Also, what types of books does your store stock and specialize in?

The building that Black Cat Books inhabits was constructed in 1890 and was once a milk dairy. The original grain elevator is still here and there are many nooks and crannies that once had some sort of "cow" function. The rock walls and small spaces are great for climbing into with a book and glass of wine. We are located in the center of downtown Manitou Springs near the Stagecoach Restaurant.

We try to carry a little of everything at Black Cat. I carry new and used books and have best sellers as well as locally written "unknown" authors. I also base my book collection on local favorites. I try to carry everyone's favorite book or author.

3. What characteristics do you think a person needs to be a successful independent bookstore owner? What has been the key to your success?

Wow. These days I feel like the book world is a crazy place to venture into at the moment. I would suggest that they wait a year or two and see how everything plays out before opening an independent bookstore. It appears as though some of the large chain stores might be going under. This would leave a huge niche to be filled in the market.

I think that a lot of the characteristics of a bookstore owner are similar to those of any small business owner. I think that my biggest asset is my stubbornness. I am not sure that I would have a liquor license were it not for this particular quality. I also love people and reading. I enjoy talking about books and work A LOT. I am also very involved with the Manitou Springs community. I believe that this is a must for a small bookstore.

Keep this in mind: I picked up a book titled "100 ways to live to be 100" and the fifth item listed said, "Do not own your own business."

4. What do you most enjoy about being a bookseller?

Talking about books and surrounding myself with people who love to read and talk about books is by far my favorite part of the job. After five years in business, I can count the number of days that I have had to drag myself into work on one hand--not too shabby.


The photo above is of Natalie on the left and her helper Val on the right selling author books for an American Association of University Women Author Day event. Back to the interview!

5. What do you least enjoy about being a bookseller?

I often have to read books that are not in a genre I enjoy. I have a difficult time reading books by local authors who write about things that are not interesting to me. However, this also means that I am exposed to new and different ideas that I would not have considered or read otherwise.

6. What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to your business?

I typically work about 9-11 hours a day. In the summer I work about 65-70 hours a week and in the winter about 50-60 hours a week. This does not include running errands for the shop and the local organizations that I volunteer for in the community. I take care of almost all aspects of the shop including cleaning and accounting. A typical day involves cleaning, organizing, ordering books, planning events, bookkeeping and if I am lucky, a little reading. I will get very cranky if I do not fit in at least a little reading every day.

7. Do you think it’s important for a bookseller to be actively involved in the community? If so, how are you involved in your local community?

Without a doubt. I am actively involved with the schools, city and library. I currently sit on six boards and have been on as many as eight or nine at a time. This includes Author Fest, a yearly event for the Manitou Springs Public Library. Over fifty authors give presentations on everything from reading to publishing to writing a great fight scene.

8. What do you think the future looks like for independent booksellers? What do you think you and your fellow independent booksellers need to do to survive?

I think that things actually look pretty good for us. I believe that the chain stores are on their way out and all books will be purchased online or from small stores like Black Cat Books. The key is to find a need within the community, reading-related or not, and provide that service as well.

9. What advice do you have to offer to an author who would like to conduct an event at your store?

I always read the book before agreeing to a signing. Please bring a copy of your book with you and be prepared to leave it. I also suggest that you invite a few key people to "hang" out and either distribute materials or stir up the curiosity of onlookers during a book signing. Snacks are a good idea too. I would also dress for the weather. Sometimes the best thing to do is to be outside on the sidewalk. Also, figure out a quick catch-phrase to describe your book to passers-by. Be prepared to talk about what you have written in an interesting way.

10. Could you tell us more about you as a person, your likes, dislikes, family life, etc.?

I love to connect people and get things done. I am fairly active and enjoy a good game of soccer. I love reading short stories and anything on economics. I am not a night person and have to struggle to remain alert for the last hour or so that I am open in the evenings. If you have a complex question, I would refrain from asking me after 8pm. I love goat cheese and can be easily persuaded to do things for a good meal. My family is incredibly supportive and live in the Chicago area. They typically come out to visit 3-4 times a year. I am surrounded by friends who try to help me maintain a life outside of the shop and for that I am truly grateful. I always joke that it takes a village to run a bookstore, but I think that just might be the truth.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell our blog readers?

I typically have about 15-20 events at the store every month. For more information about the "goings on" at Black Cat Books, visit the website. Also, we love special orders and event ideas. We are on facebook and have a monthly newsletter that we can mail to you or email. You can sign up for the newsletter through the website. I am open most days from 10am-8pm with extended hours during the holiday season.

Black Cat Books
720 Manitou Ave.
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
719-685-1689

So, readers, do YOU have a favorite independent bookstore near you that you frequent? Tell us about it and the owner!

12 comments:

Julie said...

This is a great interview, Beth. I love this bookstore, but don't live anywhere near you. I have two favorite book stores in Ketchum, Idaho: Iconoclast and Chapter One. These are two in a town of about 5,000 people!

I knew running a bookstore was complex and hard work, but Natalie really tells the full story. Sounds to me as if Natalie has found the right combination. I only buy books from independent bookstores--never Amazon or chains. Go Black Cat Bookstore!

Julie

Beth Groundwater said...

Thanks for your comment, Julie! You are very lucky to have two independent bookstores hear you. I now live in Breckenridge, CO, and we only have one independent bookstore in all of Summit County, the Next Page Bookstore and Tea Bar in Frisco, CO.

Catriona McPherson said...

"9-11 hours a day" is still ringing in my head. Bang goes my daydream of my mystery bookstore "Colonel Mustard's" with a herb garden out the back and me selling books and seedlings and finding plenty time to write in between customers.

My favourite indie is Atkinson-Pryce bookshop in Biggar, in Scotland - you know, if anyone's passing the door!

Catriona McPherson said...

"9-11 hours a day" is still ringing in my head. Bang goes my daydream of my mystery bookstore "Colonel Mustard's" with a herb garden out the back and me selling books and seedlings and finding plenty time to write in between customers.

My favourite indie is Atkinson-Pryce bookshop in Biggar, in Scotland - you know, if anyone's passing the door!

Beth Groundwater said...

Yes, Catriona, owning a bookstore is like owning any small business--long hours and lots of hard work! As for your favorite indie, it may be worth a trip to Scotland to visit--my husband's family comes from the Orkney Islands. :)

Beth Groundwater said...

Yes, Catriona, owning a bookstore is like owning any small business--long hours and lots of hard work! As for your favorite indie, it may be worth a trip to Scotland to visit--my husband's family comes from the Orkney Islands. :)

Kathleen Ernst said...

I have enormous admiration for anyone who runs a bookstore. True heroes! Thanks for introducing me to Natalie.

Beth Groundwater said...

Thanks, Kathleen! Natalie is a true gem. I hope any of my author friends who comes through Colorado will contact Natalie to set up an event. She's especially interested in local authors and books with a Colorado setting or focus.

jan godown annino said...

Love the sense of place this interview presents!

Here is one of my favorite sentences from the Q & A:
"The rock walls and small spaces are great for climbing into with a book and glass of wine." '

Rock walls - we don't have them here in Florida.

Beth you are fortunate to know this cozy shop & bookseller. Thank you for sharing her.

To respond to your idea -
In the Florida Panhandle's famous port village, Apalachicola, I appreciate a friendly & popular small bookstore that offers yarn supplies with the books. Even tho; I don't knit, it's great to look at the colors. And there is always a resident cat to welcome me. The store is DOWNTOWN BOOKS and PURL

Dale Julian, the owner, is quite special. She is a former librarian & knows Florida books. Plus she & her assistant, Sandy, know this community & also, the book tastes of the tourists who flock there for clear waters, nearby sand-dune islands in the Gulf of Mexico & fresh seafood, such as Apalachicola oysters. ( Which I feature in my travel books, btw...)

Dale has been an advocate for my writing & is the mainstay of the local Library Authors in Apalach event.

Here is the store main page if you care to visit online:
http://downtownbooksandpurl.com/downtown-books-the-best-little-bookstore-in-the-panhandle/
Beth thanks for the chance to shine the spotlight on another great indy bookstore.

Beth Groundwater said...

Jan,
it sounds like you have a lovely, supportive indie bookstore near you, too!

Shannon Baker said...

I love Natalie and Black Cat Books. And Natalie's father rocks!

Eunice Boeve said...

Enjoyed this interview. The book store in my small town sells everything and a few books, including mine. :-)