Registration Underway for August Workshop for Prospective Bookstore Owners

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To ensure a bookstore’s long-term success and sustainability, it’s critical for new and prospective owners and managers to have a firm understanding of the business side of retail bookselling.

For those new to retail and/or bookselling, the Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates will present “Owning a Bookstore: The Business Essentials,” a workshop retreat, from Sunday, August 23, through Friday, August 28, on Amelia Island, Florida.

The event, which is co-sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, will cover:

  • how to make a profit
  • gauging your community’s ability to support a bookstore
  • assessing the strength of a location
  • understanding the key elements of store design
  • how much space will be needed to realize your vision
  • how to buy books and non-book merchandise
  • the disciplines of managing inventory
  • selecting and effectively using a bookstore computer system
  • effective and low cost marketing strategies
  • developing an exceptional staff

In addition to the workshop’s facilitators, Mark and Donna Paz Kaufman, the program will feature six or seven other trainers, including an SBA loan administrator, a professional lease negotiator, an architect and bookstore designer, computer system vendors and wholesalers, and ABA staff, as well as both new and seasoned bookstore owners. The small class setting offers the opportunity for extensive interaction and one-on-one time with the trainers.

Workshop registrants will receive a copy of the Paz & Associates workbook Owning a Bookstore: The Essential Planning Guide (or a credit applied to their tuition if previously purchased). Provisional members of ABA are entitled to a $200 discount toward tuition. For the full schedule and additional information, visit PazBookBiz.com or call (904) 277-2664.

Reservations at the host hotel, Amelia Hotel at the Beach, must be made by July 22 to take advantage of discounted rates. Questions regarding the workshop should be e-mailed to [email protected].