And now a word from our 'hood...

For those who know, feel free to go get something from the fridge while I talk to the virgins....

Given that I've been talking about creating a bookstore in Astoria, I thought it might be a good idea to introduce you to Astorians, a forum website for the neighborhood, of which creating a bookstore is one of the topics.  In addition, you may be able to buy an AC unit from someone who's selling...better than craigslist, and closer by.  For those of you  much further away, here's this site.  Make sure to also check the links at the bottom of the page...And who knew that Christopher Walken was raised here?  

Feel free to stop by.  if you're willing to schlep to Brooklyn, you're willing to come to our 'hood...and we gots us a park with an olympic size swimming pool...beat that, Manhattan!

Visiting Pluto...and a big decision

I got the opportunity to visit Spoonbill and Sugartown, a new and used art booksotre in Williamsburg.  Considering how rarely I ever go there, it always feels like a foreign country, where everything is somehow...different...and you can't figure out what it is.

I also made the decision, after talking with a friend, to make the bookstore a for-profit venture, as the reasons why I was doing it were swinging much further in that direction.  It had previously been a hard decision to make, and I had been avoiding committing to it, but once it was clear why I was making the decision, it fell into place without effort.  In addition, I have the capability to create a seperate non-profit that could work alongside the bookstore and still acheive the mission - so in essense, i could have both.  thanks to Marc at Twenty Feet Productions.

Coming Events

So what's up next?

- A fundraiser...an event to create more awareness in the community, and to get the place going financially.  And, most likely, it will not be the only fundraiser.  I've already got some ideas as to what businesses to approach in the neighborhood about collaborating.

- looking at properties - what will have the square footage to support both a bookstore and cafe?  where is the most effective location?

- business plan (which I'm in the middle of) - getting it out there to the other business partner, which I've been procrastinating with - so I've scheduled it into Wednesday.

- assembling a team of people, and giving assignments

-  and most importantly, coming up with a name.  I've been using Good Reading Books, but think that there's a better name to use.  Feel free to make any suggestions.

Weekend Progress...

I got to sit down for 3 hours with Andy Laties this weekend, learning everything from Standard Operating Procedure to figuring out how to make a higher rent work for you rather than the other way around. Learned that it doesn't matter whether it's a profit or non-profit, and discovered that everything I know and am is an asset and strength to what I'm doing. I was originally worried that, as a designer, wanting a strong arts section could be difficult in this neighborhood - but considering that my strength lies in knowing what art books are of good quality can only assure that there will be a strong arts section that will attract people.

I also re-affirmed that my understanding of groundplans will be essential, and my perfectionist leanings can be an asset to the project, and that partnering up with other businesses can work greatly to my advantage. and lastly, how to establish a good relationship with a local bank.

In very related news, I discovered a new cafe in my neighborhood called Oleput - a step up in cool from Starbucks, serves great desserts and ice creams, and the best Cappuccino milkshake EVER. Plus the ambiance and design sensibility in there is great - may want to have them as part of the team in terms of creating the atmosphere of the store. Plus, they have wireless. and own the Sparrow too...

Keeping in communication....

Now I understand why companies are more than one person - and the futility of the "i can do this by myself" mentality...granted, doing something on your own is an accomplishment in and of itself that should be lauded - and to see if you can "fly solo" is both a test of strength and focus...but in order to have the support of a community, you need to invite others to play with you. Whether it be to allow yourslef to rest, to play people's strengths, to delegate work you don't want to others, to bring in new perspectives...so much more is possible when you really want to make a difference.

Next up: meeting this weekend with Andy Laties, the author of Rebel Bookseller himself. and tomorrow, I call the number that has been posted on the facade of the place I want the store to be...to see what it'll mean financially, and geographically.

And an accomplishment: if all goes well, this blog will be made fully public in the next day. it has already been mentioned in a post I wrote on Astorians, a community forum, and If i can get the word out tonight on e-mail, will be part of the NYC bloggers network.

In the next post, I'll be starting to describe more specifically what we're up to. expect something new Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Acknowledging my accomplishments so far...

So here's where I am:

- I've met with my business partner, Stella, who was prepared enough to hand me a copy of the NYC SBS Business Plan guide, and another guide informing us of all the things a retail business needs to know - permits, rules, the fact that we businesses don't just take out our trash like everyone else does...it's a lot of information to digest. I am currently in the process of writing a first draft of the business plan ( the bookstore side ) to slingshot over to her.

- I'm in communication with Andy Laties, THE man to talk to in regards to independent bookstores, and the Author of "Rebel Bookseller", the guide for people who want to start a bookstore. You can read the book online for free at books.google.com. Andy and I are planning to get together soon to plan out my course of action.

Andy also writes the blog biblioexpeditions.blogspot.com

- I've read Rebel Bookseller, which contains a lot of wisdom in regards to starting an independent bookstore, and teaches you the importance of vigilance and creativity, and of learning how to break the rules.

- I've been introduced to Ria Julien through a friend of mine - she apparently runs a bookstore/cafe. I am awaiting her response.

- I've decided on my ideal location, which is along a major pathway of foot and subway traffic - and also a real estate opportunity akin to the firehouse deal we all remember from Ghostbusters...and about as financially sound.

- and, of course, I have started this blog, which along with keeping me on task of creating this business, will also help others to realize that the things you want to accomplish in life are actually within your grasp.

Pushing Ahead...and quite a few Breakthroughs

Well, as I have not yet made this blog public, I am basically talking to myself...if I get into action, though, it will not be long.

After the initial postcard market research, I received a slew of comments...most of which have actually be quite helpful and inspiring..and has allowed me to become present to what the neighborhood may want.

The main wall I have been coming up against, however, has been money and time: the time it takes to put together the business plan, and the money that needs to come about, in one way or another - plus the fact that time spent on putting the bookstore together is time not spent on the day job, earning money and allowing me to work on this project. All I ask of you, dear reader, is to not let this be my reason for not making this happen.

More in an adjacent post.