In 2007 we reached our 10th anniversary, a HUGE landmark for any small business.  We celebrated by creating a float for the annual 4th of July parade - the Hogwart's Express from the Harry Potter novels.  We all enjoyed  celebrating our place in the community by taking part in that amazing community event.

Speaking of Harry Potter, on the night of July 20, Swarthmore Avenue was filled with excited fans (adults and children alike), many in costume, as they awaited the stroke of midnight when we opened the doors to distribute and sell the 7th and final volume in that venerable series.  I will never forget that night.  Anticipation and excitement was in the face of each and every person when I handed them their book and I had a glimpse into how Santa Claus feels on Christmas Eve!

In November we hosted our first "field trip" - 50 customers and staff boarded a luxury bus and headed to Chang's Restaurant in Arcadia for a 16 course traditional Chinese banquet.  We were met by an additional 20 people and Nichole Mones, author of the delightful novel The Last Chinese Chef, who wandered among the tables explaining the preparation and traditions of the food we were eating.  It was a huge success and we hope to plan at least two field trips for 2008.

Overall, the year was busy with many in-store author events.  I gave "book chats" before several groups and had book displays at numerous offsite events.  We supplied books for local bookclubs and many schools came to us for library books and school assignments.

But, alas, busy does not necessarily mean profitable, especially in the book business.  By mid-2007 I realized that Village Books was heading for real trouble.  We had a few other set-backs - the plumbing at the empty space next door leaked causing flooding and mold on our side; the infamous chlorine bomb came through the bathroom window; and our side of Swarthmore was practically empty with Mort's/The Village Pantry under construction, the sudden closure of A La Tarte (I'm still mourning the loss of my daily scone!); and the Prince's Table's move to the other side of Sunset (in the courtyard across from CVS - check it out- the new space is lovely!).  The state of our business district was aptly described by a customer: "I expect to see tumbleweed blowing down the street!"

In a moment of panic, I began to put out the word that we needed help.  We created an ad( "Village Books Needs You") that was posted in our window and on our website and weekly email to customers.  We began December with a weekend sale marking everything in the store 15% off.  There was an editorial in the Palisadian Post by Jacki Horowitz regarding Amazon.com vs. the bookstore that sparked a lively debate in the editorial and 2 cents sections of the paper.  The bottom line is......people responded BIG TIME!  Throughout the month of December I was overwhelmed and near tears every day as SO MANY PEOPLE came in, not only to shop, but to express their feelings about the bookstore.  More than anything, it was a huge morale booster to hear so many people encourage us to try and keep the store going.  So in 2007 I not only got to feel like Santa Claus, but also like Jimmy Stewart's character in It's a Wonderful Life!

What does this all mean for 2008?  The good news is that we caught up on the 2007 rent.  The not so good news is we are still behind on many other bills and with the new year came another rent increase.  This is the last year of our lease and my goal is to stay current on the rent so we will be in a position to negotiate a new lease for 2009 and beyond if the business "rights" itself this year.  In July we instituted a 6-month expiration on our frequent buyer rebate credits which we hope is encouraging customers to come in and use their credits more frequently.  Several customers have joined our "Friends of Village Books" program and no longer receive frequent buyer credits.  We are trying to "grow" our email data base so we can remind you once a week of our amazing in-store events and are busily planning to expand our website to offer more interesting features. We hope to expand our database of books and make it easier to purchase online, and perhaps add an interactive feature so customers can input their thoughts about books they are reading.  We've even thought of a U-Tube performance of "Village Books - The Musical!"!!!!! 

I will close with a very personal note.  I truly love my little bookstore.  It has nurtured and sustained me during these past 10 plus years.  I have met so many amazing people and made so many friends because of it.  My co-workers are truly my family.  I can not imagine my life without it.  I am, however, a realist.  I know I have a real uphill battle if I want to keep this thing going.  But I'm up for it....Are you?!

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  xo  Katie