How Should I Organize a Bookstore?

[Eric Maywar]

When we opened up our first bookstore in New Hope PA, it was before I had any kids, so I put the “Horror” section right above the “Parenting” section. 

It wasn’t what I thought about parenting, mind you, but I thought it was funny.  Most browsers didn’t notice it, but I would here occasional snorts and whispers.  Sometimes people thought it was an accidental placement, which made it even funnier to them.

To read more, click here  http://www.classicsusedbooks.com/?p=452

[Beccie]

Haha that is funny.  My ultimate goal is to open my own bookstore/cafe someday as well.  there are those people who try to discourage me telling me books won't be around much longer and bookstores will be a thing of the past but I refuse to believe this.  I love books and I want to share that with others.  My blog has been a wonderful outlit for me to meet and interact with other readers and new and best selling authors.  Come join in the fun

Beccie

www.facebook.com/Bookiesfan

[Seventh Star Press]

I think the indie bookstores are going to reemerge to replace the chain stores in the long run.  Print books are collectibles, and if Best Buy has a vinyl aisle now, I think books can survive just fine.  They may not retain the dominant market share, but there will be enough demand to support a store like you are talking about. We are seeing several new ones opening up in the past few months in our region alone.  They can definitely co-exist and I wish you all the best on your goal!

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Indie bookstores are just finding ways to adapt. Our local spot has been turning their focus to book signings, q&a sessions with the author, and other great opportunities that you don't get with an eBook. I think there will always be a place in our society for Hard Copies. Not everyone is quick to jump on the eReader band wagon.

 

I love my kindle, but you can't get autographs on its pages :)

 

Kelli

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Eric Maywar]

I agree with Seventh Star Press.  In addition, here's another thing you cannot get online or from an e-Reader.

The independant bookstore is a place where diverse groups of people gather to have conversations longer than a tweet, deeper than what you can find on their info page and with people you might not otherwise get the chance to meet.  Classics is a store where you learn about real people in real time–a real social medium. 

To read more click here-- http://www.classicsusedbooks.com/?p=442.

[Stan Morris]

I was not surprised that Borders closed.  I could not find anything in that store without diligently searching.  The one piece of advice I would give to a bookstore that has new books is to put the most recently released books on a display that is close to where the customers enter the store.  Unlike a grocery store that puts the milk and bread in the back hoping for walk by sales, customers in book stores like to browse, so once they have the new book that they came in for, they can relax and check out the aisles.

In a used bookstore, I would place those books that were recent bestsellers in the front along with books that are listed in the top fifty in sales from Amazon and other retailers.

[Heidi Sue Roth]

Not sure how I'd arrange my own shop. As a reader, I can tell you the arrangement that I personally find most annoying: alphabetical (title or author) with no division for genre or topics.  It's truly crazy making. I typically know what I want when I'm shopping at a physical store so the never-ending hunt just gets frustrating. When I'm browsing, I also prefer the divisions. 

 

 

[Eric Maywar]

Agreed.  I have never seen alphabetical with no genre.  Even worse would be alphabetical by title!  Crazy! 

[shelly blomker]

Having your own bookstore will keep people coming in and buying books. In time there's a chance that books will go completely digital. If I opened a bookstore I'd put all the fiction books in one section and non-fiction books in another.

I pray that the paperback books stick around for a long time. If people are willing to still buy them then maybe the used bookstore will last for years and years to come.

[Eric Maywar]

Books will never go completely digital!  Check my flow here--http://www.classicsusedbooks.com/?p=474

 

[Creative Mind]

It is also my dream to open a bookstore! I agree with Stanis Morris- the new releases and the best sellers should be up front. But I would also have a shelf with my favorite books that I'd suggest to my costumers.

[Eric Maywar]

Agreed!  I do have a favorites stack when people look for recommendations.

[The Literary Lioness]

I think used bookstores will always be around because people will need their book fix and not every old book will be in ereader form. Don't get me wrong, I love ereaders, but I think there will always be some "real" books published. I think there is definitely a place for indie bookstores. I have several around where I live and they are very pro-active, with great websites and author signings, etc.

Ironically, it may be the Nook that might save Barnes & Noble. It is a great product and they are really promoting it in the stores, with lessons and such. I love B&N! I also really miss one of the Borders that closed several years ago (because the mall was mostly demolished), in Wayne, NJ. It was a chain but felt like a friendly indie bookstore. That was my favorite. I cried when that Borders closed.

BTW, it is hilarious that the OP put "horror" above "parenting".