The Summer Slowdown

Opening a used bookstore: Three months later, we are in the summer of 2025 and Stef hits 7,000-8,000 books, watches local bookstores shut down their used departments, doubles down on finding the lowest rent possible (even if it means going small), and explains why online sales are critical—and why she's actually in the book processing business, not just retail.

In this episode, it's been three months since my last recording, and a lot has happened. The book count has jumped to somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 books. The bulk deals are flowing thanks to the network I built in the first half of the year—books are coming in freely now, and the system is working.

But there's stress, too. Local bookstores are shutting down their used departments. Some are closing entirely. It's a reminder of how tight the margins are, and it's motivating me to stay laser-focused on one thing: finding the lowest rent possible. Even if that means opening with a smaller footprint, I'll shuffle my business structure to accommodate it. The key is not overextending myself.

I also dive into something that's been on my mind: mattering. Mattering is about adding value and feeling valued. I want The Phoenix Used Bookshop to be a place where the community feels like they matter—but also where employees feel like they matter. That culture has to be intentional from day one.

And then there's the business model reality: online sales. This revenue stream is critical to the success of a brick-and-mortar used bookshop. The truth is, I'm not just in the retail business—I'm in the book processing business. I acquire books, assess them, price them, and move them through multiple channels: in-store, online, bulk. Retail is just one output.

Current Book Count: 7,000-8,000

The summer was slow, but the work never stopped. 

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