Next month I will be celebrating owning the store for 20 years! When I bought the business I never put an end date of how long I’d own it. The main intent was to upgrade the inventory, make it a viable business, to enjoy myself, to be continuously surrounded with books and to learn all I could about pricing, shelving, organizing, and develop a likeminded base of customers.
I figured if I could make it through the first year, it’d all work out. All fall into place. I admit it was iffy but made it through. The first year I still worked full-time at the Chamber with Saturday in the store. My son and son-in-law worked for me. If it was a good week they got a small token paycheck. I’ll never forget one called to tell me we had an amazing day! It was a $30 day! Then there was a $100 sale. Humbling beginnings.
After the one-year mark I gave my notice and took a huge leap of faith that the store would pay for itself. And you know? It did. I spent the next several years changing the store around. Move bookcases to make it look tighter. Remove bookcases to open up the space and allow an even flow from front door to back door. Open up the desk/counter for ease of moving around and removing a giant metal desk. Set up book displays along the top of the bookcases for the visual as one walked down the stairs. Ends of bookcases were painted retro colors to add color to the drab room. Rearranging the first floor entrance to open up access to the large Main Street window for displays, to new flooring and wall paint. It became a store I felt comfortable with. It was so much larger than the current location and I miss all that space. And the storage it offered. But yet I love it in the MarbleWorks. It is magical here.
Once I spoke to representatives of VT Trans and VT Railroad who were meeting in front of the building and who I once share meetings with while at the Chamber, I heeded their warning: the building is slated to be demolished so they can do the work that needs to be done before they start working on the new tracks. I heard it loud and clear and started calling landlords. Of course, I didn’t want to leave Main Street, but when I spoke to Ryan of the MarbleWorks I found someone who actually wanted to talk to me and show what was available. He told me I’d like the space. I loved the space. It was perfect! Fifteen years later and here I am. I felt the magic right away!
So, I’m working on the 20th celebration. I need to honor the younger woman I was who dared to buy a business and work hard to make it into something she could be proud of. Where other Main Street businesses would feel I added to the downtown Middlebury experience. I may not have wanted to move off of Main Street but I can’t imagine not being in the MarbleWorks and the wonderful community that is found within the marble buildings.
I’ve doing a lot of reflecting on owning such a business. The used books. The customers. I’ve never regretted buying the store. The giving of my time to being a business owner. I’ve just been aways appreciative. Appreciative of each sale. The people who step inside the store and walk around. Peruse the shelves. Thank you all!
