How are we going to fit this under the tree?
Eureka Books has been in Old Town for 20 years, and the owners were ready to retire. The store was either going to be closed or sold. Scott has loved this store for a long time and bought many treasures for his own collection there. (Like any modern marriage, we have separate blog posts up; you can read his here.)
So we joined with another local couple, Jack and Peggy Irvine, and found a way to buy the store and keep it open. We didn't buy the building, but we have a nice long lease. It's in a prime location--right across from the gazebo in Old Town, just a block from the waterfront, in the middle of all the tourist traffic.
We're lucky to have two more bookstores nearby--Booklegger, at the end of the block, sells general used books, and Consider the Alternatives, a block and a half away, sells new books on spirituality. The more bookstores, the better, as far as I'm concerned.
Scott's in charge of figuring out how to make this thing go. The store has three employees, who have agreed to stay on (thank goodness!) so we may pull a shift down there every once in a while, but mostly Scott will be freed up to think about the big picture.
Coming up first: some Christmas lights in those windows!
WOW! Congratulations! How exciting!
Posted by: Heather | December 05, 2007 at 08:04 AM
Yowza. Love that facade! I'd go in just to be in the building, even if it housed a touristy gift shop.
My first impulse would be to plant heirloom flowers in (antique?) containers set between the posts.
Posted by: firefly | December 05, 2007 at 09:59 AM
I mean in spring, of course. Duh.
Posted by: firefly | December 05, 2007 at 10:03 AM
I'll second Heather and firefly by saying, "Wow! Congrats!" and yes, you need some cool-season color out front... stat!
Good for you for livin' the dream, Amy, and hopefully your bookstore will sell in-print, not yet antiquated books as well. Are you guys going to sell books online? A friend of my mom's owns a local bookstore and has done quite well with online sales.
I'll bet your gardening book selection will be kick *ss!!!
Posted by: Angela | December 05, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Excellent, we are considering swimming your way for the celebration!
Robert turned a light shade of green when I told him-owning a bookstore has been a dream of his too.
Holiday cheers to you both.
bb+rb
Posted by: Bonnie and Robert Bruce | December 05, 2007 at 02:23 PM
Well, let me chime in here, too! It's been a long and intgeresting week, hasn't it? I couldn't begin to tell you how proud your Mom and I are of you both!
Dad
Posted by: Vic | December 05, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Thank you! This means so much to Eureka. I wish you the very best.
Posted by: Mike Buettner | December 05, 2007 at 06:03 PM
Congrats from all of us at the CAR Authors Luncheon. Eureka is so lucky that you and your friends stepped up. Happy and prosperous holidays.
Posted by: Carol | December 06, 2007 at 05:50 PM
Oh, how wonderful! I want to do this, especially since I have an organization called The Beatitudes Network-Rebuilding the Public Libraries of New Orleans and I'm donating all of the royalites from the sale of my book (The Beatitudes by Lyn Lejeune-amazom.com) directly to the New Orleans Public Library Fundation. I wanted a way to promote my cause (www.beatitudesineworleans.blogspot.com) and help authors along the Gulf Coast, and I'm looking into opening a small bookstore here. You are an inspiration. Thank you....and good luck. Independent bookstores and libraries will endure!
Lyn LeJeune
Posted by: Lyn LeJeune | December 07, 2007 at 06:34 AM
Oh, how wonderful! I want to do this, especially since I have an organization called The Beatitudes Network-Rebuilding the Public Libraries of New Orleans and I'm donating all of the royalites from the sale of my book (The Beatitudes by Lyn Lejeune-amazom.com) directly to the New Orleans Public Library Foundation. I wanted a way to promote my cause (www.beatitudesineworleans.blogspot.com) and help authors along the Gulf Coast, and I'm looking into opening a small bookstore here. You are an inspiration. Thank you....and good luck. Independent bookstores and libraries will endure!
Lyn LeJeune
Posted by: Lyn LeJeune | December 07, 2007 at 06:35 AM
That's the best Christmas present ever. I can lose myself for days in places like this.
Posted by: Laura Phillips | December 07, 2007 at 08:21 AM
Amy and Scott ~ from one booklover to the two of you, congratulations and best wishes. The printed page lives on. I hope to visit some day.
Fondly, Debra
Posted by: debra prinzing | December 07, 2007 at 05:43 PM
Love the look of the building. Congrats.
Posted by: Debbie | December 08, 2007 at 07:53 AM
Wow, congratulations. That's cool. All I got for Christmas was a few more rejections. Nice to know that someone is saving books.
Posted by: Writer, Rejected | December 08, 2007 at 08:33 PM
CONGRATS!
How exciting!
Posted by: Kim | December 09, 2007 at 09:16 AM
I haven't been in there since my Dad passed away five years ago. I'm so glad you've kept it from closing. He loved that place.
Maybe it has been long enough that I can go back in now.
Congratulations!!!!
Posted by: Jennifer McKenzie | December 17, 2007 at 05:56 AM
Giving the give of love. Gifts are great arn't they.
Posted by: unique baby gifts | August 22, 2008 at 02:16 AM