The First Month

Wow.

I spent a lot of months worrying about opening this bookstore. All winter long there were a lot of sleepless nights where I worried about finances, worried about the business of selling books, and worried about finding contractors to work on many, many structural issues that come with a century-old building. To make it worse, a lot of people told me that I was crazy and no one reads anymore.

Then, when it finally warmed up enough for me to get into the building and really dig into cleaning and updating, there was still the pressure to get it all done in time. I had no heat. I had no electric. I had no water. I had no internet. What I did have was 6 weeks to do it all. In the dark.

So when the doors opened for the very first time on June 1, and there were more than a dozen people on the sidewalk (people who read!) I was beyond thrilled. I had people come in the whole day, and actually the whole first week, I was very busy each day. (And, boy, did I finally sleep good!)

This isn't my first business, so I was ready to be disappointed the following week when the novelty of a new store in town wore off. But I had an equally strong second week. And third week! And now I'm into my fourth week and still going strong!

I am so grateful to the community here in Chisholm. Shoppers have been so encouraging, and even the business community here has come out to introduce themselves and offer support. I am listening to what people want in their bookstore, and I intend to deliver. (Hence, the new bookshelf dedicated to science fiction and a healthy local authors table.) As I learn more about Chisholm, the Iron Range, and the reading community here, you will see more changes in the store.

"A town isn't a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it's got a bookstore, it knows it's not fooling a soul." From American Gods, by Neil Gaiman.

Why didn't anyone tell me I forgot to turn on the lights on the bar! I guess if that was my biggest mistake on opening day, then I did pretty good! I was completely out of complimentary bookbags by 1:00. People were SO nice to me, and everyone seemed to love the Iron Heart Books vibe!