The Recap & Relief

Opening a used bookstore: One week after opening—community reception is incredible, but regret lingers about not opening an all-ages store. Stef recalibrates: hire help, get her son closing shifts, and maybe... revisit the Chapter 1 store?

One week in, and I'm catching my breath. The opening was everything I hoped for—kids love the space, the community has welcomed The Phoenix with open arms. But it's bittersweet. I still have regret around not opening an adult store. The community events, the reading space, the vision of what that could be—it's all still there, calling to me.

For now, my focus shifts: Can I get to a place financially where I can hire someone three days a week? That's the milestone. Once I hit that, I can start thinking seriously about the next store.

My son is starting to work at the store—he'll close a few days a week until he goes to college. It's exciting, and it's also a reminder that I need to build toward hiring beyond family. This is a start.

And then an idea pops up: What if I go back to the store from Episode 1—the one I tried to buy—and give it another try? Can I navigate the bad blood? Is there a deal to be made now that I have proof of concept? Or is that chapter truly closed?

I'm also cleaning up the home messes I ignored during opening week. The relief of slowing down, even slightly, is real.

Current Book Count: ~13,000

One week down. Eyes already on what's next.

🐦‍🔥 Follow along as The Phoenix Used Bookshop continues to rise—subscribe to A Bookshop of My Own and get updates at phoenixusedbookshop.com.

Links mentioned:

• Submit a book request
• Phoenix En Plein Air book club survey