Two Bookstores Find Expansion a Wise Decision

Two well-known bookstores on opposite ends of the country recently moved into larger spaces, and both have seen positive results reflected in both sales and customer satisfaction. In October, Chuck and Dee Robinson's Village Books in Bellingham, Washington, increased its size by a third. And in New York City, on November 4, Peter Glassman moved 24-year-old Books of Wonder two doors down, more than doubling sales-floor square footage and gaining room for a cafe and a larger events space.

Books of Wonder in New York City

Books of Wonder's new location at 18 West 18th Street is over 5,500 square feet. Part of that space is being sublet to the Cupcake Cafe, a bakery specializing in butter cream cakes and cupcakes. Glassman reported that since reopening, business has been "amazing," adding "our worst day so far was up 30 percent of a typical day in the old space. Even on the first day when it was pouring rain, we doubled what we'd usually do."

Response to the new location from customers, as well as from authors and publishers, has been "phenomenal," Glassman said. "We have a much bigger event space now, and publishers are clamoring to do events there. We'll also do birthday parties, and tea- and brunch-with-the-author events. Now that we have much more space, we can do more community outreach."

Books of Wonder's grand opening will be held on Tuesday, November 16, with guests of honor Dan Zanes, Del Fuegos songwriter and author of Hello Hello (Megan Tingley), and New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, co-author with his twin brother, Ronde, of By My Brother's Side (S&S/Paula Wiseman).

Meanwhile, on the opposite coast, Village Books, which had been in two interconnected buildings, moved part of its inventory into a third, larger building. The result is three adjacent buildings, with each outer building connected at the middle building, and about a 30 percent increase in square footage. Inventory has shifted, too. Instead of separating used books and remainders, they are now integrated with the rest of the stock.

"We've had a great response both verbally and in our sales," said Chuck Robinson. "Sales have been really strong. We're looking forward to the holiday season."

The former location had been "too crowded," Robinson explained. "There wasn't enough space, not only in terms of display areas, but the aisles were too tight." The move, he said, "has made things more workable for customers and for us."

Village Books will hold its grand opening on Sunday, November 14, along with several new businesses that are opening nearby. On that date, Paper Dreams, Village Bookstore's greeting cards and gifts store, will also be holding its annual holiday open house. --Karen Schechner