Physician Banks on a Literary Life

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, infectious disease specialist Dr. Roni Devlin is working to spread the word about her new venture: Literary Life Bookstore & More. The general neighborhood bookstore, which opened on October 2, offers specialties reflecting Devlin's particular interests -- "Literature & Medicine" and tools for aspiring writers in a section called "The Write Place."

After completing a fellowship program in 2004 at Dartmouth Medical School, Devlin returned to her home state of Michigan, joined a medical practice, and began searching to buy a house. Instead of a house, Devlin bought the 85-year-old Old Kent Bank building on Wealthy Street and transformed it into a bookstore and an apartment.

In an attempt to live up to its name, Wealthy Street has undergone a decade-long renaissance. Once boarded up and burned out storefronts have become cafes, bakeries, kitchen design centers, and specialty cooking and garden shops. Literary Life Bookstore & More (LitLife) is a member of the growing Wealthy Street Business Alliance.

Completely renovating the building, from its original gray-and-black mosaic tile floor to 15-foot-high tin ceiling, and creating the 1,000-square-foot store plus a two-level apartment took Devlin three years and well over $300,000.

"We removed anything that interfered with the original intent of the architecture," Devlin said. And she refurbished or restored the many authentic fixtures. Two former bank vaults now serve as her kitchen and office; a former bank deposit counter is now the cash/wrap; and the original Palladian windows and swinging foyer doors are back in use. A new gas fireplace anchors a cozy reading area, and a small kitchenette is used to prepare teas and various treats.

LitLife has been nominated for Best Interior Renovation in citywide awards sponsored by the Neighborhood Business Alliance and Neighborhood Ventures. The winner will be announced on November 8.

Several months ago, Devlin hired Michael Cirivello, a former bookstore owner, to be the store's general manager. The two met serendipitously, according to Cirivello, through a mutual friend. He had recently moved to Grand Rapids from California, and missed running a small bookstore. Once hired, Cirivello organized the store and ordered the initial inventory; now he is the business' sole employee.

"Roni's out saving lives, and I'm in here selling literature," Cirivello told BTW, with a laugh.

Devlin is increasing the time she can spend at working the store by shifting to a part-time medical practice. She is also taking the entire month of December off so she can devote more attention to the bookstore during the holiday selling season.

Devlin enjoys the benefits of bookselling that she doesn't necessarily get from her day job. "I have always liked the idea of owning my own business," she told BTW. "I'm not quite sure of all the reasons it appeals to me, but I think it has a lot to do with creating something that can then be shared with like-minded folks. And, of course, there is the pleasure of being your own boss."

Describing herself as a "wanna-be" writer, albeit one with a firm book contract, Devlin explained, "I'm in the midst of writing a book called Influenza, part of the series by Greenwood Press called Biography of Disease. Each book in the series is meant to cover a certain disease process, but from a 'biographical' perspective. My book moves from the description of a virus itself, through the characteristics and diagnosis of influenza, the historical role the virus has played on a global scale, and ultimately, treatment and prevention of influenza."

Devlin acknowledges the difficulties of securing financial success as a bookseller, but, she told BTW, success, like health, can be approached in a variety of ways. "Professionally, it has been an amazing process to rehabilitate an historic building, become part of a revitalized small business community, and achieve a store opening," she said. "Personally, it has been surprisingly rewarding to have a dream become a reality.

"Commercially, I would very much like the store to be profitable and have an enduring presence in the neighborhood. I have no doubt that it will be exceedingly difficult to meet the commercial measures of success." However, Devlin firmly believes that a unique bookstore staffed by people committed to "fostering the literary lives" of their customers can thrive. "There are consumers to be found who are dedicated to local businesses, who are tired of generic big-box shopping experiences, and who are willing to frequent a small bookstore both for their book selections, and for more than just what it offers on its shelves: service, loyalty, and community." --Nomi Schwartz