Hello. Big announcement. Get ready.

in book stores are magic

So.

There’s something I’ve wanted to do my whole life and it’s always seemed like a pipe dream because I’m easily overwhelmed and forever terrified, but recently I’ve learned that if you don’t at least try you never actually have a chance of it coming true.  I also know that I let my anxiety trip me up and paralyze me and sometimes the only way that I actually accomplish anything is by writing about it so that it becomes true and also so that you guys can yell at me when I start to doubt myself and hide.

So, after years of thinking about it…I think I’m going to open a real, live bookstore.

Wow.  That’s scary to even write.

It will be smallish and independent and will be filled with all the books that I want to read and that I want you to read too.  It will have space for authors to come and talk, and for readers to hide away in cubbies, and for groups to meet for book clubs and writing workshops.  It will have a small space for writers who need to write but who also want to not just hide away in their houses all day.  And I’ll be there too, writing and working and asking random readers if I can read the chapter I’m working on to them.

In my mind it is filled with shop cats and surprise ferrets and a margarita bar and old wooden shelves and new, lovely books and people who won’t talk to you unless you totally want them to.  In Victor’s mind I’m not allowed to bring any animals into the bookstore unless they’re strapped to my chest in a Baby Bjorn so that they don’t snuggle with people who don’t like ferrets.  I disagree because I don’t think those people exist and also Victor just read this post and said that he never agreed strap-on chest ferrets but I guess these are the things we’ll need to work out as responsible business people.

There will be online clubs so that you can drop in to the store every week even if you don’t live in San Antonio, and live-streamed events where you can show up in your pajamas at the store or from your laptop, and one day if it makes a profit I’ll have bookmobile so that I can drive around to book deserts like my hometown which currently has no bookshop and makes me very sad.  Also, the bookmobile will be filled with adoptable rescue kittens and raspberry donuts and I’ll pick up people along the way and we’ll go on road trips to visit authors and give out free books to kids AND OMG I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

*deep breath*

Sorry.

So here’s where you come in.

I have a lot of ideas and surprises that I’m working on but honestly I’d love to hear your ideas.  What makes a bookstore great for you?  What should we totally have or not have?  What’s your favorite bookshop ever and why?

And if you live locally I have another favor.  I’ve found a few spaces that are nice but maybe not perfect so I’m asking for your eyes because I don’t want miss something amazing.  Do you know of an open space in San Antonio that needs a bookshop?  Victor is leaning toward something in a nice, new shopping center with lots of light and a small bar and great landlords.  I’m leaning toward a haunted Victorian with a friendly ghost and giant chairs and maybe it’s also infested with otters.  We both agree that it should be 2800 to 4500 square feet with lots of parking for events and wonderful, lovely energy.

Thoughts?

1,451 thoughts on “Hello. Big announcement. Get ready.”

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  2. I know you want feedback but all that comes to mind is that no matter what you do, your bookstore will be the stuff of our dreams and successful beyond measure—because of YOU. All you do is win with us, Jenny. And this gorgeous endeavor just further proves it.

  5. I think this is a terrific idea Jenny and knowing you have a global audience, I hope you’ll be prepared when there are so many international visitors wishing to visit.

    In the back of my mind I’m reminded of the UK comedy, Black Books, which was terrifically funny and I can just see your book store being a place of great joy and mirth and happiness and laughing and full of stuffed animals and giant metal chickens.

    (I LOVE BLACK BOOKS. ~ Jenny)

  7. Just a cozy place with drinks & nosh in addition to books to make it more “more frequently go-able.” I also offer up my book loving trained pastry chef daughter to you. She’s pretty awesome, as are you.

  10. OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! Run the numbers on mass public energy (Victor’s space idea) vs. your niche group. If you’re going to do the thing, make it something you LOVE. Make it the space YOU love. Also. I’ll be in SA this weekend and I kinda want to run away from family so I can scope out places for you. OH MY GOD!!!

  11. Every bookstore should have its own cat. Every great bookstore I have been in has this. I can live without food/drink areas, but one of the things I loved about the old Barnes and Noble in NYC was the couches and chairs in little unexpected hidden away areas, so you could browse a book in a comfy setting or read the book you just bought because you weren’t quite read to join the throngs of civilization outside the door.

  13. A Very Important Question: What is the name of this store?

    And it needs to have one of those bookshelves that swings open when you move the right book, to reveal a secret room!

    (YES! And I do have a name but I’m waiting to make sure that it works for the space, you know? When I find the space I’ll totally announce it. 🙂 ~ Jenny)

  14. My favorite bookstore of all time is Square Books in my hometown of Oxford, MS. Google it! They’re cozy, locally owned, and since the bookstore is so beloved, there are big expectations and requirements of the staff to have super impressive knowledge of literature. Best of all, there’s a little counter upstairs that sells ice cream, cookies, coffee, tea, etc, and you can go out on their balcony to read and enjoy your treats! What makes a bookstore perfect, more than anything, is the staff; get good people and you’ll be humming with bookstore ecstacy!

  18. OMG! Surprise ferrets! All due respect to Victor, but EVERYONE loves ferrets. Also, the little beasts will snaffle people’s jewelry, so they’ll pull their own weight.
    I have no local pull, but I love your ideas; especially the online bit.

  19. Hi

    I have a BA in Business and Management from ALVERNO College. I am the CEO of WhiteTurtle Rainbow Native American Media Co. First you need to start with a business plan which is your map to success. Contact me for tips.

    Wenona Gardner
    White Turtle Rainbow
    Business@WenonaGardner.com
    (414)391-0565

  20. As a librarian and a previous bookstore employee, I think there are a few “musts” for any bookstore: comfy places to sit ; a place to get tea and scones ; a selection of local authors ; staff favorites on display ; separate kids and teens sections if possible (for everyone’s sake, really). Good luck, and I’m looking forward to visiting your store in the future! 😀

  21. What you described so far sounds like exactly what I’d do if I could do such a thing. Especially full of shop cats! In fact, when I was getting my MFA, we would often discuss what our perfect bookstore would be like (when we were rich writers and could afford such a thing LOL), and most people came pretty close to your idea. If only I lived near you – I’d totally go there. Or work there. Maybe some day I’ll at least visit or even have a book in it. Keep working on it – it’s a wonderful idea!!!

  22. I second the vote for otters!
    Personally, I can live without the ferrets because sometimes they bite and smell, but sometimes they’re nice, so I could go either way on that one.
    But not a mall Victor, not a mall….

  24. Maybe a used book section? People can bring in a book and grab a book. Or you buy the used books for really cheap and can exchange them when you get done. Love your ideas!!!! 🙂

  25. I have never been to San Antonio, but I definitely would just to visit your book store.

  26. I am in LOVE with this idea and I hope to one day visit your shop! I think it sounds amazing just as you described (sorry Victor), animals and all.

  27. Maybe a book trade, where you can trade in books you no longer want for new ones you DO want. And maybe a sign that lets people know that it’s ok to read the books, because I was once asked to leave a book store because I was reading a magazine, and they told me it wasn’t a library.
    Also, Victor doesn’t understand about the ferrets.
    And I vote for the margarita bar. But only if they are BLENDED margaritas, not on the rocks ones, because those are blasphemy.

  28. That sounds so exciting. I love bookstores, especially small mom and pop ones. You should definitely do this, people will enjoy it. Remember the movie- you’ve got mail? A bookstore that Meg Ryan had in that movie would be awesome.

  29. My favorite book store is Farley’s in New Hope, PA (where i live) and it’s my favorite because they never look at me funny when I ask them to order some weird book they’ve never heard of and also they have a CAT, named Butter. And he is awesome, and also doesn’t look at me funny, when I ask him if he knows where I can find the book I’m looking for!

  30. Comfy chairs and access to hot beverages. Doesn’t have to be a fancy barista type thing, even just a regular drip coffee pot and people could bring their own cup. Oh, and soft blankets.

  31. I am so very glad to live in SA. Perhaps a play area so isolated moms/dads can come and have some actual human interaction?

  32. My favorite was Barber’s Book Store in downtown Fort Worth. Unfortunately closed several years ago – Larry McMurtry bought most of the books. I loved it because it had stacks of books in unexpected places, a spiral staircase to a small upstairs with books everywhere. Messy, surprising, old. There was a small balcony overlooking the main floor. I’m excited for you!

  34. I really like when bookstores have handwritten cards with their suggestions or picks for the month – Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor does this.

  35. I AM SO EXCITED TO LIVE IN SAN ANTONIO!!
    I’ll keep
    My eyes peeled! Monte Vista area sounds like the Victorian option!!

  36. YES! Can I move there and work for you? I see comfy couches, kitties, pastries, etc.

  37. Oh, oh, oh, AND. If you don’t want to deal with serving food right off, see if you can find a space that’s near a food place that you like, and invite people to bring their food in with them.

    And cupholders. Definitely cupholders, you’ll need those.

  38. Omg this is amazing! I would take regular firewood trips from Austin to support you and snuggle with ferrets and otters. <3

  39. Omg this is So exciting! I wish I lived in Texas! All I can think of is The Shop Around the Corner from “You’ve Got Mail.”
    I’m so very excited for you! Thanks for sharing! I know it’ll be the perfect place for visitors to lose themselves and feel safe and welcomed.

    Best of luck!
    Lori

  40. Ooooohhh! Such fun! It will be fabulous, and you will need a small shop dog, along with the cats, at the very least. And carpet slippers, probably quite a lot of them, for visitors… Creaky floors and poetry nooks? If Hertfordshire UK wasn’t q u i t e so far away it would definitely be my regular haunt. How wonderful, enjoy it! xx

  41. I love the idea and if I make it to San Antonio from Alberta Canada I will look you up! My favorite bookstore was like a house with different rooms full of books. I also like a nice comfy chair to see if I like the book that I am thinking of buying – if I read the first few pages and want to keep reading – I buy it! that’s my version anyway! Good Luck!!!!

  43. Check out The Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis. It’s a children’s book store but it has birds, rats, ferrets, and free-roaming cats and fancy chickens.

  44. This is so exciting!! I was just at a Victorian restaurant in NY. Can I share pictures with you?

  45. How exciting! My bff and I have always wanted to do the same. I admire you for moving forward with this!!! 🙂

    My favorite places have always just embodied the word ‘cozy’. You feel it when you walk in, you know its ok to sit and read for a while, the people are friendly (and of course there are some animals). etc. If you have the means to put in a little coffee shop that might also be nice. When I imagine the cozy store I envision smelling coffee and books.

    Congratulations! I hope to visit from CA one day.

  46. Yes to otters!
    So-so on ferrets.
    And malls…blech. Victorian is so far better that I’m amazed Victor would suggest otherwise.
    Now I hope to make it to visit this future store one day!

  47. Omg, now I have an even better reason to visit Texas. I suggest a coffee bar in the store (I used to work as a batista at Borders beefier they closed) and make sure you have comfy chairs. Maybe have a section for local artists to display their wares? If love to have some of my fiber arts in display. Lots of painters and photographers will be willing to have things on display and fit sake at a commission price. Something to think about. If you need any help with setting it up or stuff like that send me a message. I’m on you Facebook friends

  50. Oh holy buckets yes! Jenny! Yes, this is indeed magical, and makes total sense for you. My wife and I used to work at a local, independent bookstore in Laguna Beach (Latitude 33, which has since closed, sadly). It was a wondrous experience. Best parts: Shop animals (we brought our Labradors in), even dressed them up in “33% off books” signs; opportunity to highlight some of our favorite books and authors in weird and wacky ways (fun themes, personalized reviews); intimate author readings with wine; and just a beautiful book-nerd camaraderie. That’s the best part about an independent bookshop: the people who know your name, engage with you, interested in your story. When you do that, it’s so much more intimate and personal to recommend books. Also and yes: 100% otters.

  51. It sounds so great!!!! I would love for it to be public transit accessible, and also for there be lots of paperback romance novels.

  52. That is awesome, i am glad you were able to overcome your fear with this endeavor. Congratulations on that 🙂 Wish i was in san antonio to see your final product 🙂 i am sure it will be great. I know a good bookstore needs confy places to sit and relax to read over what you might want to purchase and read. So bean bags are nice 🙂 and the smell of fresh bakes cookies :)And like almost an overload of colors and pictures 🙂

  53. You are a rockstar and if you want to expand in to Austin, I am totally your girl. Love you friend!

  55. Yay!!!!!!!!!!! You need at least one shop cat. And preferably a portal for those of us who live 9 and a half hours away.

  56. Featuring local authors is always nice. You could host book signings, etc. for small indie folks in the area. (A local bookstore gave me my first chance for a book signing and it was invaluable — and not so huge that it was too much for me to handle.)

    I love the idea of converting an old house or store. And yes, yes, YES to bookshop kitties! Good luck, and HOORAY — this is a fantastic idea!

  57. Customer summaries/reviews of books they have read, recommendations for other books like it.
    Extremely old/worn/secondhand comfy chairs.
    A store cat (or two).
    Ability to quickly order something in if you don’t have it, so I can support that shop instead of Jeff Bezos.

  58. Yesssssssssss! This is a great thing. My favorite bookstore is The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles. It is a beautiful space filled with used books, art, art made from used books, and comfy nooks for sitting and reading, and people who love books. http://lastbookstorela.com/

  59. I love bookstores where I can find little nooks and crannies and old comfy chairs where I can just get lost in the books. I cannot wait to visit!

  60. I absolutely love this idea. This is how I was introduced to you which do the second book that you wrote and I liked it so much I had to go get the first one. I was so sad because I don’t live out there but then you said you would have live streaming so I could be there in my pajamas. The best things I like about bookstores are being able to hold the book in my hand and not feel rushed about if I want it. The thing I like least about bookstores is that there’s so many books that I want and I can’t have them all.

  61. Pages Bookshop in Calgary, Alberta, Canada has an amazing vibe, and wonderful staff. The greatest part for me is that they stock new books, but they also have a basement which is dedicated to used and/or discounted over-stock books. It makes it a great place for people like me who can SOMETIMES buy new books, but often can’t justify the price and instead opt to buy used books.
    I will continue to send tips whenever you ask because bookstores are AMAZING!!!

  62. Oooh little cubbies to hide away in! I was in a book store the other day and couldn’t find one chair to sit down and read a couple covers in! Your cubbies sound lovely and I absolutely love this dream!

  64. Wait. So instead of going BookPeople to meet you, you WILL BE BookPeople? OMG OMG OMG fangirling.

  65. Haunted is non-negotiable. Also, don’t forget your local library – they’d be great partners, possibly, in bringing in authors, getting the word out to local writers, etc., maybe hosting events in your store as off-site deals. Those of us deeply allergic to animals, can you have theme days where maybe I can avoid cat (or specify another regular animal visitor) day?

  66. I love this idea! It is fantastic!! Sounds exactly like a place I would want to go… and may never want to leave.

  67. Wow! That is so incredible! Way to manifest a dream! I always love feeling like I’ve discovered a gem: a little brick building, or a shop in an alley, or a place with little reading nooks or the sun coming in a window and warming a kitty. But you should make it yours! Maybe you’ll find that perfect place that both you and Victor love. Either way it looks like I’ll have to plan a bookstore road trip in the future!

  68. We WILL HELP. This is going to be great. You should reach out to Ann Patchett – another author who took the bookstore plunge

  69. Oh and I asked my friend Amanda in San Antonio if she knows of anything. And you would TOTALLY love her.

  70. Maybe a used book section where people can bring a book and trade for another book or pay a small fee for a book like$5 and then exchange it when they’re done. It’s going to be awesome 😊 you’re going to make it great!

  72. This is amazing! I’m glad you’re including things for those of us not fortunate enough to live nearby. I’ll be thinking, but congratulations!

  73. I LOVE the smell of books. As long as it has book smell, I may try to move in.

  74. This is amazing!!! This will be a real life destination. Every bookstore needs comfy seating, not just chairs but couches and maybe even pillows on the floor. I’ll definitely go there.

  75. You had me at Margaritas. But then my logical side kicked in and was all but then she’ll need a liquor license or permits and things of that boozy nature. Argh. I’ll be there either way. So excited for you!!!

  77. OMG this is AMAZING!! I look forward to the many future road trips from Austin to your bookstore to snuggle with ferrets and otters.

  78. Oh my fish!!! This sounds amazing!! I love the idea of store ferrets and donut bookmobiles and cubbies to hide in. This would absolutely get a high ranking of places to visit on my bucket list! I’ve only been to TX once for business. I think I could summon enough spoons to go again. Congrats on making the big announcement!

  79. I’m in Kalamazoo, Mi (Samantha Irby land). We have a bookstore aptly named This Is A Bookstore. It’s local. It has a great vibe. Room for author events. A BAR. Ithink they have a great business model if you need inspiration. BEST WISHES on this adventure! If I ever get to Texas I will come see what you have created.

  80. This sounds amazing! It should definitely have tea (or coffee for coffee people) and comfy furniture, used books, and maybe 1 day a week for therapy dogs (with some training/experience).

  81. Please, a haunted “Victorian” with comfy places to read, live plants & red wine!

  82. Please, please, please sign up for a bookseller boot camp program if you haven’t already. I’ve worked for a used book chain for over a decade, and I can say everyone underestimates how much work needs to be done to create a successful bookstore. Everyone thinks of the fun bits, but not the mechanics of everyday business. Please be prepared.

  83. OMG I’m SO happy for you!! This will be fantastic, and it makes me wish I lived in San Antonio (and after living in Houston for a year before moving back to the MN tundra so that’s sayin’ something). My favorite bookstore in my ‘hood is, oddly enough, the B&N: they still have big comfy chairs and coffee/tea/drinks and food and I hang out there to have breakfast and read magazines or new books every Saturday morning. It’s a ritual that keeps me sane, and I’ll be devastated if they ever get rid of the huge armchairs. Can I join your online book clubs??

  85. Can you call it Knock Knock Motherfucker or does San Antonio frown on that kind of thing? What a great idea, I wish you were here in Vancouver…I’d go haunted Victorian personally. Or at least non-shopping mall of any sort.

  86. You absolutely must put on rotating display items you’ve mentioned over the years: giant metal chicken, haunted chair, etc.

  87. YES. Haunted Victorian with small bar. Sounds like my UserName on OldPeople.com

  88. Definitely the haunted victorian with large overstuffed armchairs hidden in corners where people can curl up with a book and read. I think if you manage to combine the feel of a small town library with a book store and possibly a small cafe that you’ll create something truly magical and it will become a home away from home for many people and a sanctuary for those who need it.

  89. Ferrets? I’m in. @fatelvis04 and I will be there shortly. And books.

  90. Comfy seating. Great books. Fun employees with senses of humor. Art. Quirkiness. Animals

    Chelle

  91. Honestly, I feel that you need a bookstore cat. Come on. And chairs, but then you’ve already said you’ll have chairs. And if you carry lifestyle items, then the bare minimum of lifestyle items. (The chain store in my neighbourhood keeps adding more mugs and throw pillows and subtracting books, and it’s just, it’s upsetting.)

  92. My favorite book stores have wonderful reading areas, and while they have good lighting, aren’t over lit. No matter what, your bookstore will be awesome because of you. And now I need to go to San Antonio so I can snuggle cats and ferrets.

  93. Ooo, ooo, ooo (frantically waiving hand)!!! Can I come work for you? I even have bookstore experience (and cat and ferret experience, too); I can even make a margarita. 🙂

  95. My favorite thing in a bookstore is well-labeled shelves, armchairs in corners so you don’t have to plop in the aisle to read a book, friendly staff people who are also book people, and maybe some kind of snack source so I don’t have to leave for a while. I also am a fan of cute stationery in bookstores. And my favorite bookstore ever is Malaprops in Asheville. They know how to do it and I have spent hours in there. Oh, and also if you plan to have a kids’ section some kind of beanbag pile or pillow pit so kids can cozy in with their book. Oh, and also hammocks or hammock chairs would be amazing.

  97. So, not the house with the haunted attic chair, you’re saying? 😉

    I believe comfortable chairs are the most critical factor. And at least one cat, regardless of what the health department says.

  98. I think this is the most amazing thing I have heard in like forever! You build it and I will come and visit!

  99. The store needs big comfy chairs in all the colors!
    YOU will do GREAT! Hugs.

  100. My favorite bookstore in my town is also a cafe – lots of space for meetings and yummy food and a children’s area and a really great, wonderfully curated selection of books.

  101. My only contribution to this discussion: I think Beyonce the Chicken should live there, if you still have her

  102. YES! You need a tiny cafe with awesome baristas who can make things with italian sounding names, and also big floofy chairs and a bookstore cat. Named Ivan or Fyodor or Frodo or Austen or Galahad or Krinkle.

  103. The Victorian sounds awesome. Then you could showcase some of your doll houses. Cozy chairs that feel like a hug. Tea shop. Home-y feel.
    Well rounded metaphysical/occult/pagan section.

  105. This is such an amazing idea!!! Please include a kids mental health books it’s so needed and never in stores..a place where these stories just mix with other kids stories and are the norm not a scarey ‘section’, and of course very selfishly I hope one day my silly limbic kids books may be stocked there:)

  106. I didn’t even read the whole post yet because I had to rush down here and tell you that I just finished reading (and LOVING) Ann Patchett’s “Commonwealth” which is probably why my first thought was “HOORAY!!! Now I have two author-owned-bookstore-visits on my bucket list!!!”
    Ok…back to reading your actual blog post!

  107. This is fantastic and I’m totally jealous that it’s nowhere near me but I’m still so excited for you and for San Antonio and I think it would be wonderful if there was always coffee and tea for people to drink and rooms where other groups besides book clubs (like knitting groups or LGBTQIA+ groups) could also meet and maybe even nooks where you could hide from the world for a few minutes while taking a breather from people. I’m all for shop pets. I think the best book stores are cozy and lit enough to read by, but not OMG that’s a BRIGHT FLOURESCENT LIGHT lit. And socks. You should sell socks.

  108. I am sooo excited for you, and think this is a wonderful idea. All m favorite bookstores have always had a cat. Just one, but it was large and mellow and just spent the day dozing on top of a stack of books on the counter or in a cozy bed and tolerated people who wanted to pet him. As for the books, I utterly trust your judgement!

  109. Like the grinch my heart grew three sizes. My favorite bookstore is the last bookstore in downtown Los Angeles. It has all these nooks and crannies and unique decorations. I feel like I can disappear into the books. I don’t like how exposed I always felt in a Borders and some of the other large book chains. Also a giant fish tank. My local library (called the Thousand Oaks Public Library in Thousand Oaks CA) has a huge fish tank that connects the children’t section to the rest of the library. It’s my favorite place to get work done. I sit in a big oversized chair and read and watch the fish. It’s so peaceful. I hope Victor doesn’t hate fish too.

  110. Tea or coffee and water should be available for everyone who come in the store with if possible sweets like cake and cookies and chocolates it makes life so agreeable !dont you think

  111. That is sooooo cool and awesome. Proud of ya!!!!
    Suggest: a small section for used books for trade or lending to others; donate some profits to help the homeless; coffee FO SHO! Buy enuf, get your card punched, get a freebie!!!
    You’re great. I wanna make a trip to Texas now and visit the establishment when it ooens

  112. My favorite books stores are the ones that feel like a lazy treasure hunt, where I know something will be found around the next corner. I don’t know what makes a place have that quality, but I am pretty sure it’s not fluorescent lights. Elliot Bay Bookstore in Seattle feels that way, Barnes & Noble does not. Also, make sure it’s not filled with mean people.

  113. Shakespeare & Company in Paris is a beautiful book shop – it has tiny writing nooks for writers and a round cat asleep on one till so we had to use the other.

    Bookmobile with adoptable kittens sounds awesome!

  115. Look at the Battery Book Exchange in Asheville for ideas. People come in, bring their dogs, have some wine…..events like Tarot readings and book clubs and interesting furnishings and little alcoves all over the place!

  116. I’ve worked in several bookstores- both funky and corporate.About the only thing I would offer up is that there should be very good bathrooms, with excellent plumbing (REALLY IMPORTANT- there are so many reasons…), and accessibility should be paramount. One of the coolest places I worked was not wheelchair accessible on two of the three floors. This was not acceptable in the 90s, and still isn’t. So run with it! Have fun! I am so thrilled for you!!! Also, space for readings and maybe live music from time to time is always a super cool feature.

  118. I love a bookstore with space for writing/working, ample outlets and available consumables. When writing, I prefer a space I’m welcomed to sit and work all day, purchasing as much food & drink as I need (bonus points for a “bottomless cop of coffee” option) without having to leave the building, hunt something down, and return hoping nobody has taken the only janky electrical outlet in the building.

    Brilliant idea. YOU GOT THIS.

  119. This is an amazing idea. How exciting. I wish I lived closer so I could come and write there every day. For me a bookstore has to have a cosy, welcoming feel. Inviting decor and colours. I love the idea of cats and/or ferrets. Having drinks of some sort is a bonus, but it really is about the atmosphere.

  120. I vote for both ferrets and ghostly Victorian infested with otters!

  121. Leather, or pleather couches and seating, with a strict policy of bringing in your fav pillow and lap blanket.

  122. I’m for the haunted Victorian. And I love this idea so much I would travel to come help make it everything you want. I’m totally in, where do I sign up? Also I would relocate and work there for cheap. Because this might be the best idea I’ve ever heard.
    ‘Surprise ferrets’ 😂😂😂

  123. YES! I’m in ATX and I will be coming! Please, if you have cats wandering, then no carpet – as I’m allergic! Please have lots of comfy chairs and couches and the sweet kind of chai!

  124. Have you ever visited Shakespeare & Company in Paris? It’s got little nooks and corners, old desks set up if you feel like writing, lounging sofas, and even a small bed in one room! New and used books are categorized in random parts of the store with no rhyme or reason so you just have to wander around.

  125. Sounds fantastic! You’ll have to be in disguise in the store though or you’ll never get anything done – we’ll all be pouncing on you to chat!

  126. My favourite bookstore is from You’ve Got Mail. Not the big B&N one but the little shop around the corner. Where you can twirl with Hailey and totally come back as a ghost to do so.

  127. So now I’ll have to go to Texas. I love your idea for the space. And while malls can be a bummer to be in, you can still make the inside the way you want to most of the time. Look at Hot Topic. I can’t wait to see all the pictures! Good luck!

  128. Oh my gosh! This is amazing! I am so excited for you! I don’t live anywhere near San Antonio, but I will be sure to come visit.

  130. This is all kinds of amazing. It will be wonderful!! You will 110% need a bookstore cat. And maybe a Little Free Library located out front for people to leave their used books for those who need/want them? I already loved San Antonio, but now it’s climbed even higher in my esteem!

  131. Yes for books, ferrets, kittens and margaritas! Coffee and nibbles would be important, and art house movies (for sale, but projected even better!).

  133. Hi. I have a BA in Business and Management from a ALVERNO College. I am CEO of a White Turtle Rainbow a Native American Media Company. First you need to start with a business plan which is your map to success.
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  134. I can only imagine I must be the 15th person to say this. But definitely have a little coffee shop type area. Even if that means pastries and bread, tea and coffee.

  135. I’m dying now, and considering a move to Texas after vowing to never leave MI.
    Coffee/tea/cocoa/soda bar. Snacks. Big chairs, loaner headphones. A place to hang my coat and leave my shoes, so I can switch to the slippers I carry IN MY CAR.

    A “need one take one, have one leave one” system for people that maybe can’t afford to buy a book, and an area for people to exchange books.

    Perhaps a small lending library section?

    Maybe a kids area. Good lighting, a fireplace, windows, but not so much bright sunlight no one can actually see. An outdoor area.

    A rooom to rent upstairs.

  136. OMG Jenny your going to live my dream! I am so happy for you! Even though you might think it’s nerve wracking but you will be amazing at it! I have to agree with some suggestions that you should think about having a used book section, book lovers and voracious readers will love and appreciate this!

  138. Shelves of Staff Favorites are my favorite part of any bookshop. A place that is not just wheelchair accessible, but wheelchair friendly is pretty much a unicorn.

  141. Living the dream! Good for you!! I like your haunted house idea but otters need water so that might be a problem. As for what I like in bookstores, big overstuffed comfy chairs are wonderful. It gives you a chance to read the first chapter of a book so you can decide whether you really like it or not. And the chairs should be located randomly through the store, not grouped, because it’s always uncomfortable when there is someone sitting directly across from you. Do you say hello or nod or ignore them? I’m never sure what the protocol is. And how about a ferret habitat? Cats roaming through the store is fine, dogs too, but the people I’ve known who have ferrets talk about bites and scratches and Band-Aids a lot. So think liability.

    Hooray!! I’m so excited!! I go down to Austin frequently and it’s not that far from San Antonio so I might get to meet you in person! I don’t know if I’m excited or terrified but either way when you get your store open I’ll be there!

  142. Oh my gosh. Yes, please. I personally prefer older, funkier space, but new is fine. I like to have some comfy places to sit, with coffee for sale nearby. My favorite bookstores of all time have been Book People, Tattered Cover, and old used bookstores that smell like dust. I’m in SA and will buy books from you.

  143. Good for you! This would be worth an 18-hour road trip I think. I haven’t found a perfect bookstore, but in my mind, it would have great lighting for reading, super-comfy chairs and sofas (maybe even ottomans because who doesn’t want to put their foot up while they read?) Desks and hard chairs for those who want to write. Maybe uneven (not uniform I mean, not slanted!) bookshelves to add to the whimsy. A book ladder would be fun! A Bookstore Cat is a must-have (maybe even kittens from the local rescue that patrons can pet while they are there and potentially adopt?) Depending on size, themed seating areas (relaxing colors in one corner, vibrant/creative in another corner, etc.). Yeah, I’m rambling. I am so excited for you, I hope you have fun with it!!

  145. It will have space for authors to come and talk, and for readers to hide away in cubbies, and for groups to meet for book clubs and writing workshops.

    This is my thing, this right here. Book clubs!

  147. OMG I loooooooove this idea!!! This is brilliant and I can’t wait for you to do this! I will fly to San Antonio as soon as this bookshop opens and I can afford the flight! I love bookshops with lots of nooks and crannies to hide in and just be among books. In any city I travel too I first seek out a nice bookshop – also always helps when I’m feeling anxious. My two favourite bookshops are Mr B’s Emporium in Bath (https://mrbsemporium.com – they also have a reading spa and awesome book recommendations) and this little bookshop in Killarney, Ireland that I fell in love with (https://www.goldenpages.ie/pages-bookstore-killarney/) – it’s called pages.

    I also love bookshops that have a teashop. Any excuse to buy a book and stay to read – comfy armchairs included. And postcards from local artists. Always love those.

    Your bookstore will be magic. it will make the world a better place. It seems such a wonderful fit that you’re doing it. This news made me so happy!!!!

  149. Ornate columns on the bookshelves à la Beauty and the Beast. You NEED at least one of those reach-the-topshelf stairs with wheels. Pretty rugs to sit on while just browising a book. Oooh, reading glasses people can borrow for us stubborn types who insist it’s really nothing. And totally the mall, so we can run away and hide in the big bathrooms for a bit.
    OMG it’s gonna be AWESOME indeed!!!!

  150. My favorite bookstores (Powells and The Last Bookstore) both have sci-fi/fantasy sections where you can just wander around and get lost in. They have ceiling high shelves that are packed with both new and used books and there is nothing better than walking in and wondering what new favorite author or series I’m going to stumble on this time.

  151. our local shop has a small play area for little kids so parents can sit and relax for a minute while their kids play. They had a small Thomas the Train set and some other toys.

  153. What a wonderful idea! And tell Victor to be quiet. I would LOVE a book shop that was full of cats and other cute furry animals!! How awesome would that be to curl up on a comfy chair with a hot chocolate (or margarita) and pet a kitty while reading a good book!? Good luck Jenny!

  154. Oooooh, I think your shop belongs somewhere like King William (you have been to their annual quirky parade and arts fair during Fiesta, yes?), La Villita, or the SoFlo or Blue Star Arts Districts.

    Skip all the outlying Suburban Shopping Centers From Hell. They have no character. Zero.

  155. I will get on a plane and FLY TO YOUR BOOKSTORE if it’s infested with otters. I’m just saying. Give the people what they want. (I’m so excited for you, Miss Jenny!)

  156. YES!!! Obviously cats, cookies, tea, lots of cozy nooks. A fairy garden for kids to play in while parents drink tea and buy books. Lots of shelves full of recommendations like, “If you liked this book, you’ll love these…” so people can discover new stuff. A “blind dating” section where the book is wrapped in brown paper and you choose it just based on a small blurb without knowing the author or title. Taxidermied rodents dressed as notable literary characters.

  157. Never have I ever uttered these words before: I need to move to the United States. Specifically Texas. I am beside myself with happiness that there will be another bookstore in the world. The fact that you’re going to own it, just makes it that much more amazing. Once it’s super successful, will you please open a second one up here in Canada? Pretty please?

  158. Can you also have a used books section along with the new? I know those probably won’t make you enough money, but there are so many weird and wonderful books out there and maybe having a used section would encourage them to find their way to you?

  160. I AM SO JEALOUS.

    What makes a bookstore great for me?
    * Friendly, welcoming staff. The kind of people who get to know you because you’re in there all the time and say hi with a smile when you walk in.
    * Personal service. A store that’s happy to place special orders, keep things on hold, call you when they come in, etc. This beats Amazon.
    * Staff who know books, love books, and love talking about books. I want staff who I can say “I loved Josh Bazell’s Beat the Reaper but that guy like never publishes, what else have you got?” and they’ll say “Oh, have you tried Duane Swierczynski’s books?” and they’ll be totally right. I mean, if you don’t know books and love books and love doing that for the customers, seriously why are you even working in a bookstore?
    * Well curated selection. Especially in the middle-grade and YA area.
    * Opinionatedly inclusive. I want a bookstore that isn’t afraid to have a Trans Day of Visibility display and stock it with George and Whipping Girl and so forth.
    * Personality. Knowing you, I am 100% sure this will not be an issue.
    * Community engagement. I want a bookstore that does author events, readings, signings, book clubs, storytimes for kids, etc.

    My personal favorite bookstore that does all this is Brick&Mortar books, in Redmond, Wa. (@BrickMrtrBooks). They are super friendly and I’m sure would be happy to give you good insider advice if you were to call them up. Ask for Tina.

  161. I will visit regularly. Well, as regularly as I can from 7 hours away! I definitely vote for haunted Victorian. My favorite bookstore is the Thrifty Peanut. It’s an amazing locally owned gem!

  162. Little corners to read in so I dont have to talk to the people around me when I’m talking to my self and cats would be nice.

  163. I love this idea!! I want to hop in the car and drive down now.

    Also, my favorite bookstores are ones that have had cats and ones that have a certain charm to the building or decor. They’re usually crammed full of books new or used and have really comfy chairs.

  166. One of my favourite local bookstores here in Toronto always has cool magazines from small publishing houses that are really hard to find anywhere else. I love that. They also have a small section of random stuff at the front, which is great because I always go into the store when I’m looking for a gift for someone, and always inevitably leave with at least one book for myself, whether I find the present for someone else or not. Upon reflection, bookstores are actually a pretty dangerous place for me (or rather, my wallet). So I will definitely be visiting yours if I’m ever in San Antonio!

  168. What a great idea! Powell’s Books (Portland) has a great subscription club service which once a month features a book from an independent publisher along with some added & related swag called Indiespensable (check it out: https://www.powells.com/indiespensable ) – consider adopting something similar. I’d sign up! Whatever the featured book is could also be the bookclub discussion book (for those who can meet in person and maybe those of us who can only meet virtually). Good luck and best wishes on the endeavor!

  169. 👏👏👏happy dance! I love old, vintage book finds. Maybe have a selection of those. I can hook you up with a source (me, the book hunter, lol 🦁 if you need). I’ve found some serious circa 1800’s that are awesome cool! And the old cookbooks – just in case you need to know how to roast a terrapin while stranded somewhere is always useful. So happy for you. Dream big!

  170. Beyoncé needs to live there for fan photo ops! Congratulations! (Also, San Antonio just became the number one destination on my travel list!)

  171. Village Books in Bellingham, Washington is a great independently owned bookstore/community of crazy people of all kinds…. and even has a resident cat. No otters. But a cat. And lots of cozy comfy books to read in. A great small community area for authors and writing groups. Great coffee. Check it out! And I’m definitely in for a trip to Texas as soon as it is open! Love this idea!

  172. My favorite bookstores have all had unexpected card racks sprinkled throughout. I spent hours reading Edward Monkton cards at Blackwell’s in Oxford when I just needed to laugh with a friend. Also- big fan of comfy chairs.

  173. YOU ARE LIVING MY DREAM and I could not possibly be more excited about this whole idea. <3
    Shop cats are YES.
    Writing nooks? YES
    Giant chairs. YES.
    Online clubs & visitations: HELLZ YES.
    Cozy, tiny areas to read & chat? YES.
    Hauntings? DEFINITELY YES.
    Snax/coffee/margaritas? ALL THE YES.
    Bright, light areas? YES.
    Dim dusty hideaway corners? YES
    If there is an attic in your space, you must make it part of the shop.
    PS: I hate giving away my books but for you I will happily donate my duplicates.

  174. The kids section needs to be fun and interactive and not one of those places where I am afraid to let my kids touch stuff. Also story time for kids! With beanbag chairs and places for them to snuggle and read!

  175. YES. Haunted Victorian with small bar. Sounds like my SignIn name on OldPeople.com.

  176. You realize I’m basically going to live in your store and hand over my paycheck every week right?

    Can every Friday be zombie night?

    Also tell Victor that my favorite bookstore in Galveston had a big fat fluffy cat that just laid on the front desk all day. You need a big fat fluffy cat.

  177. Yes! I’m so in for the otters!! I’ve also always thought owning a bookstore would be a fabulous job. Good luck! I’m so excited to come visit it in whatever form it takes. 🙂

  178. Well. You AT LEAST need a live-in cat (live preferred). Comfy chairs. Used book section that smells a little musty but not too much. Book recommendation blurbs by random non-celebrity folks like me.

  179. OMG, this is my dream too. And I’ll never do it, so you can have all my ideas (there are only 2). One: It should definitely be in an old house. And the categories should be sorted by room: cookbooks and food books in the kitchen, romance in the bedroom, humor in the bathrooms, mysteries in the secret passage (if it doesn’t have a secret passage you can convert a bedroom). And two: The most ridiculous, over the top, in house press imaginable, were you set all the type by hand and sometimes put the letters in backwards, and only make like three copies a month.

    Oh, and at least one of the bookstore cats should be missing an eye, and another should have extra toes.

  180. Definitely haunted Victorian with big overstuffed comfy chairs and lots of cats.

  181. It must have lots of big squishy chairs and couches for one to sit on and while perusing books! And nerf guns to shoot at people who are too loud 🙂

  183. I am so excited for this- like this gives me a reason to get to San Antonio excited! I think it’s be amazing if you could work a writing area into your store and maybe have some writers workshops. I also wish I could just transport a coffee shop in my town next to wherever your store is, I know that isn’t super helpful or practical!

  184. OMG… this is my dream too! And otters! A Victorian mansion??! YESSSSS!

    Ok, I will seriously come to the grand opening (I’ll come from Chicago!). My favorite things about book stores… USED books. Lots of them. Places to sit. Comic books. A friendly ghost, for sure!!! (The bookstore I worked at did have a ghost). Coffee… baked goods. Music, but not too loud. Readings and book clubs and author meet and greets. And a big kids’ section. My whole family loves bookstores. We go to our favorite one almost every week. 🙂

    I love this! So excited for you!

  186. I love that you are doing this. You need to convince Victor that the bookstore needs a cat. All bookstores need a cat (as do all coffee shops, train stations, antique stores, well really anywhere, but I have seen them in all these places and they are always loved and an important part of the experience). I love bookstores with coffee shops or even (small) bars, but I would suggest getting a space that allows for it, but adding it later. Opening two businesses at once, one of which requires health inspections and such might be a little overwhelming.

  187. I love this idea. I have worked at many bookstores over the years and still dream of opening one myself one day. I can live vicariously through you and come visit because this will be EPIC and AWESOME. You’re amazing.

  188. NO NO NO NO NO to strip malls and new spaces. Ugh. No character and too sterile. The walls need to be able to tell stories. Recently hung drywall is soulless.

  189. Cat. You definitely need a bookstore cat! (Although it should likely be a sphinx to avoid causing allergy symptoms in some people!)

  190. Honestly, the Tiffany lamps at the one in Victoria is so amazing. It really gives the book store feel, somehow. Fake tiffqy lamps work too!

  191. Will you have an upstairs room for people who want to spend the night in a haunted bookstore? Will you adopt me?

    (Totally. ~ Jenny)

  192. This sounds awesome! I would like an area with some large tables where I can spread out stuff if I need to see it all at once.

  193. Stay away from new strip malls. Lean towards haunted mansions or at least a large location with a big enough parking lot that you could actually have book fairs with live authors or fantasy mermaid events (to use the otters) –any way vending events in the parking lot a couple time a
    year full of vendors that are artistic and a little weird (like us) Dont let Victor real you in too much. It’s also going to need a giant metal chicken out front (not yours a new one) so make sure the ladlord doesnt have alot of weird rules like no metal chickens or no dead things.

  194. Please, please just have some chairs, and no books on the very bottom shelf where they never get seen. I’m too tall and too old for that shit. (And YAY and congratulations!!!! Bookstores are awesome, you are awesome)

  195. Please have lots and lots of places to sit, and not all close to each other! I wish you all the best!

  196. I am so thrilled and excited for you! I’m so glad you’ll have live events since I don’t live in Texas! Just make the bookstore cozy and inviting. Comfy seating in little nooks is essential. Offer a wide variety of books to appeal to everyone. THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!

  197. I wish you the best of luck in your new journey. Just remember one thing god is watching over you & your family. So, I say give it a shot !! You will never know until you try it if it’s going to workout for you.

    Love you lots Patricia

  198. oh my GOSH this is very exciting. I’m basically local (Austin) so I can’t wait to visit.

    I know you’ll make it wonderful and that these suggestions are evident but my favorite bookstores all have a few comfy chairs to sit and test out a book in a corner somewhere, and good natural light, and fun creaky floors (might be hard to arrange for those, so that’s ok). please make people use the mic at events (if mics are a thing in your space) so everyone can hear. ummm what else, I love staff written recommendations like bookpeople has.

    this is sometimes a dream of mine too, and I get lost in thinking about all the ways I would design the space and bake pastries to serve…. actually, happy to bake pastries for your shop if you don’t mind that I make up for my lack of professional baking experience with enthusiasm and a formidable sweet tooth.

  199. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!! Cats & haunted & gotic & taxidermy & drinks & coffee & books …
    I’m moving in. Whats the address?

  200. My favorite bookstore was a used bookstore, so have used books, too?
    Anyway it was in an old house, so, many rooms, closets, nooks and crannies filled with books on 2×4 bookshelves.
    Crammed, to the rafters. I loved hanging out there.

  201. Please please have a book themed knick knack area: book bags, mugs, book marks, signs, bracelets whatever. I can NEVER find enough of that stuff and I like to give it as gifts WITH books!

  202. I live near San Antonio and I am SO EXCITED to read this! I don’t know about spaces because I’m pretty far from the area where you live but I do know bookstores! I mainly love knowledgeable employees with personal recommendations or who can say, “If you like that author, you should try these!” And comfy chairs.

    I have to admit that I’m with Victor on the ferrets. I will take snuggles from any cat, but ferrets are snakes hiding in furry costumes. I don’t trust them.

  203. YAYYYYYY!!! This sounds amazing. Especially emotional support otters & margaritas.

    I do love an older, somewhat discombobulated bookstore full of twists and turns and odd rooms and quiet nooks with a beat up leather chair for reading. Harvard Coop and Powell’s are great examples of bookstores that while VERY large manage to be cozy and inviting at the same time. Kramer Books in Dupont Circle, DC is one of my faves for their cozy bar, cafe space, events and hang-out-ability. But any old curmudgeonly space where I need to occasionally duck my head and step over people’s legs as they read while I inhale the glorious scent of old leather and musty parchment? HEAVEN.

    Congrats on realizing a dream. I know you will rock it.

  204. This is so exciting! I imagine wooden floors that creak, two stories high. Also spinnie stands for your doll houses in October! Very excited for you!

  206. I have ALWAYS wanted a bookstore. I love to do fancy cakes, so if I had a bookstore, it would also have cakes.

  207. You had me a margarita bar. I’ll visit every time I visit San Antonio to visit my sister-in-law! She’ll tolerate me if margaritas are promised. My dream bookstore has plenty of lounge areas to kick back and relax while deciding on which books need me to adopt them.

  208. A beautiful idea that will be appreciated by many. Maybe your book mobile could randomly drive around and pick up writers, and do an audible in cars version of Karaoke in cars. 🙂

    (That is totally the plan! ~Jenny)

  209. Hurray!!
    This is the best idea! You will have the best ever bookstore. So happy for you. My favorite local bookstore is tps//moonpalacebooks.com.
    I am a music lover as well as a book fanatic and they host live music, poetry readings etc. They have a cafe with beer and pizza and outdoor seating in the summer. They are very involved in our community and host afarmers market in the summer.
    Check them out!

  210. Hmmm this sounds fun! One of the things I have always wished for in a book store is a view of titles that I do not have ot cock my head to one side to read the title. shelving them in a way that a title is easily read would be awesome. Wish you were opening the bookstore in Portland Oregon.

  211. This is thrilling news! There is no one better to run a bookstore than someone who loves books. One of my favorite little independent book nooks has paintings by local authors lining the walls. Can you please have coffee? And room for visitors from NC who will crash San Antonio not only for its River Walk but MOSTLY for the sure-to-be quirky and certain-to-be cozy bookstore!

  213. I love this. One of my favorite bookstore was a tiny one in northern Minnesota. It was well curated and so cozy. Not big and modern. Small. With staff that truly loved books. There were cozy spots to curl up and relax.
    I really like old haunted Victorian. I’d go. Hell, I’d live there (as long as the tea selection was top notch)

  215. Shelves that are arranged kind of like a maze so when your allotted browsing time is up, you can run away and hide from the spouse who wants to go.
    Yea!

  216. A) this will be awesome! Congrats!
    B) Victor is wrong about the animals. A bookstore should at minimum have a cat.
    As far as what I like in a bookstore: I love bookstores that sell used books and offer some sort of trade-in program. Even if you don’t go for used books, maybe allow people to donate books for your phase 2 bookmobile plan.
    Other nice things: comfy chairs in quiet nooks; a staff of booknerds who “get” that I just want to browse & will ask for help when I need it but also can provide amazing recommendations; and WiFi.

  217. This is awesome! I love this idea! Yass! 😀

    I like to think that books take you places, so the idea of having travel posters of different literary lands always appealed to me greatly. There are some incredible artists that have already done some up. (I was working on a concept of opening a book bar with a similar theme, please take this and run with it if you so choose! 🙂 )

    We had ONE bookstore growing up. It was called the Phoenix Bookstore, and it was so awesome. It was teeny tiny, which fit our town. Eventually it closed because the owners got tired of the up-keep. The irony is that it has yet to rise from the ashes. (But you never know!)

    Anywho. I love it. I’m there. I’m cheering you on! It’s gonna be so awesome. 🙂

    (Love the poster idea! ~ Jenny)

  218. I live in the Atlanta area, but I WILL be visiting as soon as you open.I may also need to move, quit being a lawyer, and apply for a job with you. Comfy chairs are a must. Anxiety craft products would be great. Bulletin boards for meetups for shy/introverted/antisocial types.

  219. Meghan K beat me to it, but if you’re considering animals in the book shop, it’s definitely worth a look at The Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis. Here’s the page on their animal residents (including rats, a tarantula, and a chicken): https://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/meet-animals

    Your store sounds lovely, and I can’t wait to visit!

  220. Comfortable chairs. Warm tea. Creaky floors. A solid genre section with lots of SF and F and mysteries and not just dozens of copies of the big names you can find anywhere. More books than anything else (though pens are okay, and paper).

    I would love to someday come do a signing at your bookstore 🙂

  221. DEFINITELY it needs to be a haunted Victorian.

    Maybe with a spare room that can temporarily house the psycho woman who is palanning to put her pets in the car and drive to San Antonio to live there now? (I’m kidding. Maybe.)

  222. This is miraculous!! I lovelovelove this! My opinion: old Victorian house, lots of nooks and crannies, tiny spaces with low key lamps, dusty old books, lots of comfy arm chairs and little tables for your tea …

    I so wish I could be there, but I will definitely go online and pretend I’m there.

    Love you, Jenny.

    xox

  223. I’ve lived in Texas 10 years and never been to San Antonio, but when your bookstore opens, I’ll come even if I have to walk!

  224. Never have I wanted more to NOT live in Canada and live in Texas where more of the nature tries to kill you!
    Also Librarian here and it is a dream of mine to open a bookstore/cafe with my spouse, he bakes, I’ll do a little book club corner with of course CATS! My alternative dream when I was single was to open a Library with cats and a wine bar, instant success right!?

    Personally I love spaces that showcase the community, having a local art corridor, partnering with local businesses for workshops, cool chairs are always a big draw. hanging chairs, chairs you can just be enveloped in, mismatched chairs, plants.

    I hope you have so much fun with this Jenny!

  225. Hi Jenny, my name is Tina Landry and I live in a small town in New Brunswick Canada. I was diagnosed with PTSD and fibromyalgia a couple of years ago and was told by my psychologist to read your books. I truly want to thank you for your humor and real life stories, they made me feel human again.
    I’m sure you will be a big success in your new adventure and I cant wait to read all about it.
    Good luck!!!
    Tina

  226. I love bookstores, especially small ones. Used bookstores are even better because the prices are more manageable, as long as the stock is organized well. I have to agree with Victor, though, on the animals. Any animals. I’m allergic to cats (and litter boxes in a bookstore are very unappealing to smell; there’s a shop in NC that’s a rescue and bookstore and ughhhhhh) and not particularly fond of animals in general. I’m the oddball among most of my #BloggessTribe because I have no interest at all in ferrets, llamas, alpacas, narwhals…etc. Though how you’d keep a narwhal in a bookstore would be a whole other story.

  227. As a shopper I’d much prefer “a haunted Victorian with a friendly ghost and giant chairs” to a space in a strip mall. Whichever you decide, it sounds marvelous. Sadly, I don’t live in San Antonio. (Although if you make it too welcoming no one will ever leave.)

  228. YAAAAY!! This is fantastic!
    I didn’t know you were in San Antonio!!! I thought you lived in Waco or something like that. I’M IN SAN ANTONIO! I’m going to live in your book shop. Even if it has ferrets. Also, I’m working on a book, which at the rate I’m writing will be finished in about 20 years. The minute I read that you were opening a store, I thought, “This is where I want to host my book launch… in 2040.” 🙂

  230. So exciting! There should also be a sign that welcome people to come in and knit. And you’ll have a craft book section.

  231. I have spent the day having a panic attack about the fact that we have a few months to be able to afford a house that meets our needs including the one where it’s accessible in relation to my disability and kiddo’s, or at least afford a house that we can also afford to make accessible so it will meet our needs, and it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen without a miracle, and without a miracle we are probably homeless, and that’s a real problem for a husband that already works 80 hours weeks trying to meet our basic needs and a physically disabled mom and their neuro-disabled kid and holy fuck how am I going to make this work I make things work for everyone else but I don’t know how to make this work for us and what do I do I don’t even have the spoonage to get my kid through his damn homework tonight because he has two written assignments and I have to be his scribe because they won’t fucking accommodate him and accept verbal versions of his work and that’s the least of our problems right now and…

    And to be perfectly honest, reading this post made me stop, breathe, and smile, and although it solves none of my problems, it makes me feel better about life, because YOUR BOOKSTORE WILL BE OUT THERE.

  232. This is amazing news! I’m so excited for you, Jenny! I think a bookstore with adoptable cats/ferrets/otters and big comfy chairs would be phenomenal and I would visit frequently! Best of luck on this new endeavor! Can’t wait to visit someday! ❤️

  233. well i guess i have to take a trip to san antonio now 😉

    things i would love in a bookstore run by jenny: weird taxidermy on the walls; rotating artist exhibition space on the walls (er, meaning that the artists and displays change periodically, not that the walls… rotate. probably.); cozy chairs; staff-curated book recommendation shelves (the bodega cats in the store count as staff). book launches by authors, local or not.

    things i would love in an eventual bookstore run by jenny once the initial thing takes off: a coffee counter with pastries and coffee, and an honor system mug where people could buy a token to donate a coffee (or pastry or whatever) to someone who needed it but didn’t have the scratch. a second location (or more!) so that my east coast butt can partake of some of these wonders.

    things i hope that jenny’s bookstore will have: hand sanitizer and possibly little surgical masks so that people like me who love cats (LOVE them) but are allergic can still come in and browse and buy.

  235. Ok now I’ll have to go to San Antonio again. I think a separate animal room would be awesome, that way those allergic can still go. Comfy chairs are definitely a must and a secret door, I’ve always wanted to go through a hidden/secret door.

  236. I’ve lived in Texas for 10 years and have never been to San Antonio, but when you open your bookstore, I’ll come even if I have to walk there!

  237. Tons of comfy squishy chairs, zero overhead lighting (preferably just a million lamps), blankets and pillows, and of course snacks and refreshments. Fireplaces? Maze-like corridors between tottering bookshelves? Maybe even two stories, one with all the books and music and one with bar/reading spots. ALL the geeky references… a TARDIS hiding in the back, little sections devoted to Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc. Basically make it as close to your dollhouse as you can LOL <3

  238. You had me at “margarita bar”
    Go Jenny!!
    I love the huge Victorian idea, with chaise lounges & settee sofas!
    I love bookstores & it’s the owner that gives it the vibe…yours will be particularly cool!
    Ps…think wine tasting
    Or wine & author pairings…oooh

  239. Have you ever seen the series “You” I imagine bookstores like that, but with less murder in them of course.

  240. Hell to the yeah!!!! I’ll take a ghost with a side of shop cat with a good book while sipping my margarita in a spill proof cup please!!!! What direction am I driving? Can’t wait!

  242. Please, please, please consider putting your bookstore on the south side of San Antonio. We are thirsting for a neighborhood bookstore. I am retiring this month (after 33 years at the same job) and will gladly volunteer at your store.

  243. A used book section, where those favorites that are now out of print may find new readers! (Beginner’s Luck by Laura Pedersen, anyone?)
    You’ve given me a new reason to want to go to San Antonio!

  247. Two of my favourite bookstores are Shakespeare and Company in Paris and the Bookshelf in Guelph, Ontario. They are very different from one another but share a warm welcoming feeling and really knowledgeable staff that don’t hang over you but can answer all of your questions and make recommendations. Shakespeare and Company is full of the most awesome books and has many nooks and crannies for reading and has a cat. The vibe is so fantastic. The Bookshelf, in Guelph, hosts a writers space every Monday morning and provides coffee and is one of the sponsors of the Eden Mills Writers Festival which you should totally come to. It is set in a people backyards in the little village of Eden Mills – Margaret Atwood, Al Purdy and Michael Ondaatje have all come and you should too.

  248. I love having someplace where I can look up books without talking to a human (on the days when I really, really don’t want extra interactions). I also am deeply in love with Powells – it’s HUGE, weird, has every single book under the sun alongside used versions, hand-printed signs with staff recommendations (and why the book is cool), taller than a person shelves (so you can feel all by yourself when browsing), and really cool literary-type stuff to buy (like my favorite sexy reading lady car decal). Your bookstore is going to rock, I’m certain :-).

  249. You won’t regret trying this! Come to Nashville and check out author Ann Pachett’s Parnassus Bookstore that she opened a few years ago. It’s doing well!

  250. Omg! I live in Austin and my daughter fors to UTSA… I am SO THERE!! I love bookstores with comfy chairs to curl up in and skim through books I am thinking of buying. Maybe hosting a book club monthly or something ( I know you have anxiety but perhaps the manager or Victor or someone else could run it…You provide the space and others the voice. Maybe someone could set up a coffee cart out front. So many possibilities! I’m excited for you!

  251. Congratulations! What an exciting adventure! If you want ferrets you should invite my writing group from Oklahoma sometime. 😉 We’re the Rabid Rainbow Ferret Society (long story).

  253. I once worked at a start up bookstore in Vancouver, BC called Bollum’s Books. It was the largest independent bookstore in Western Canada back in the time (mid 1990s). Make sure you have a coffee/tea bar of some kind where people can grab a drink, and some type of food, even if it’s just pastries. Decorate the area with lots of old fashion tea cups and glasses, everything rustic and mis-matched. Make sure there’s a tub somewhere for the otters too…they do like the water! If you could really have kittens and puppies that are up for adoption, that would be fantastic. And ferrets and rats and other small animals – maybe even baby goats.

    I think this is a wonderful idea Jenny and I can’t wait to see it all come together. I think you should call the store Furiously Happy because that’s what it will make everyone when they walk through the doors.

  254. Opening a book store has been my lifelong dream. Definitely need comfy armchairs, tea/coffee, and cool funky lighting. Since it’s you, I think you should designate genre sections with various taxidermied animals.

  255. My favorite ever local bookstore was called Tomes. It was tiny and it smelled good. Not perfumey, more like cedar. In the back room/office/break room was a friendly golden retriever, kept in by a baby gate in the door. It was SOP to go straight back through the store and pet the dog before doing any shopping. The two women owners were friendly and knowledgeable. I miss it.
    Right now my local fave is Amber Unicorn which is a used bookstore. The owner is famous for her knowledge of cookbooks.

  256. I honestly love this idea and wish I could do it, too. Cats: you need shop cats. Ones that cuddle, ones that supervise, and ones that entertain. Comfy chairs that are not TOO comfy, as in you sink into them and someone has to pull you out. Recliners, maybe. Docking stations for cell phones or tablets. Cookies and coffee and teas. Book clubs. Reading nights/aftwrnoons for children. Wine and book nights. Drag Queen reading nights – you have drag queens come in and read to the audience!

  257. This is amazing. I always think of big leather chairs to curl up in and read, and the smell of wood, and a glass chandelier type light that throws random beams around. Dark cosy, comforting colours. Sorry, rambling, think I need to open bookstore 😂 seriously though, if you’re involved, I know this is going to be the best, and if they ever let me back into the States I’m totally coming to visit! Xx

  258. My favorite bookstores have easy chairs (but not matching- that’s too corporate) in the adult section and places to sit or lay on the floor in the little kids’ books. Natural light is a huge plus. So is being staffed by people who READ, so we can talk about books and if I have a reading list similar to theirs, they can recommend books to me. Actually, now that I think about it, staff is the first on the list. Also a plus, greenery outside. Greenery outside the door always seems so friendly. And I believe – especially in bookstores – to allow kids their own book policing. If it doesn’t appeal, they’ll put it down. If they feel it’s too old, they’ll put it down. Let the kids read what they want to read!

  259. Make it like the bookstore in the movie “You’ve Got Mail” I love that bookstore. So proud of you my friend and wish you nothing but success and lots of ferrets, sloths and rescue cats. 😊❤️❤️❤️

  261. For me, avoiding becoming more of a gift boutique than an actual place to buy books is key. I have a stack of unused gift cards to the local independent because when you go in it’s a just a sea of novelty socks and candles. Most of the few books available are limited to narrow cases tucked under the eaves and the little floor space accorded to books is spent on splashy coffee table books. I spend a lot of money on books, yet I never go there because nothing is in stock and there is nothing to happily discover either.

  262. I will come to San Antonio JUST for the sake of visiting. Please don’t forget to have a section for rotating artists of horrible (or oddly wonderful) taxidermy, paintings, all sorts of shit.

  263. I will totally come to texas just to visit your bookstore. This is the best thing I have heard all year. Go Jenny!

  264. This is so exciting I can barely stand it. The only thing that would be better would be if it were in Milwaukee where I could go to it and buy things directly. Will you have an online resource so we could order things from your store if we aren’t local?

    What do I like in a bookstore…. Obviously cozy place to start reading right away. Our favorite independent bookstore here (Boswell’s) has free gift wrapping which is nice especially at the holidays. They also have a program of donating to local causes with part of your purchase which I always appreciate. Personally, the thing I think is the best about local bookstores is the employee recommendations. It’s nice when there is a shelf of things with cards explaining why a certain employee likes a particular book.

    I’m sure you will come up with things more marvelous than I could ever conceive. Just amazing and wonderful and I’m sure it will be a big success. (And I have a novel coming out at the end of the month if you feel you need one more item for your shelves!)

  266. I am SO EXCITED!!! I live nowhere near San Antonio and have never even been to Texas, but this will be my reason. I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to see what you create!!! I’m hugely in favor of reading and writing spaces throughout, and a big communal-sized table or two for working near other people and maybe-but-not-necessarily talking to them. My favorite bookstore near me (Rough Draft in Kingston, NY) has some cool tables, a bar, and an espresso bar. Oh and a pop-up bread bakery on weekends!

  268. Yes!
    If you’re having food and drinks I’d try to have a library section so customers can sit and read without grubbying up your books for sale, but also do not have to buy a book to use the cafe/bar/whatever. Maybe you can sell those at a discount so you can turn them over frequently.

    But I live this whole idea and concept. I would also love a proper virtual bookclub chat room that could run alongside a live bookclub so I could participate remotely and those at the bookclub could still see and respond to comments.

  270. Well, you’ll need table tops and charging stations if you want to host writers, especially during NanoWriMo. Writers are nice things to have around a bookstore, and they shed less than cats. It would also be nice to provide introverted people with some opportunities to community build with parallel play activities — you know, things they can do together but not TOO together, like a knit night or a board game night once a month, or a jigsaw puzzle corner. It’s been my experience that board game people and knitters are two of the best kinds of humans (True story: I once worked really really hard to get up the nerve to get out of the house for knit night at a coffeeshop, only to find out it wasn’t knit night, it was board game night, and the board game people were so NICE that I didn’t cry and I stayed, and now sometimes I go back to board game night and sit on the couch and knit while they play board games and they’re perfectly understanding and wonderful), and they also tend to be readers (and buyers) of good books. A good independent bookstore can be Home Planet for the people who have to work really really really hard to fit in elsewhere. .

  271. I am local and I am stoked. Please squirrel your store with the other book shops on Avenue B by Brackenridge. Or in Monte Vista in the vicinity of Cookhouse, Nola, etc. Also, I am a librarian, and I write about books so can I please write about you opening a bookstore for a huge publication? Not afraid to ask. Check out my portfolio and let’s do an interview.

  273. The Book Cellar new/used bookstore is closing down in Louisville CO. Can you make a call to the store and talk to the owner Barbara? In case you can capitalize on any of her inventory? At the very least you should learn something about her business model. Basically, you can trade your books in for some store credit, and the store credit can only be used toward used books. She ansi carries new books and will order anything for you. Get the formulas and software she uses from her. She’s retiring, but the business has been around for a long time.

  274. I love this idea so much!! Especially the bookstore cats! A dog would be good, too! I wish I lived closer!!!!

    My all time favorite bookstore is Scuppernong Books in Greensboro NC https://www.scuppernongbooks.com. They have amazing community events like Drag Queen Story Hour and a cute little coffee bar that also serves yummy housemade sandwiches and snack-y type foods made with local ingredients. They also serve wine and beer. You don’t need to make a purchase to hang out there for work or fun, and everyone is so very friendly.

    Sadly, they don’t have a bookstore cat or dog, but I still love it!

  275. Omg I would totally fly from Chicago just to visit your shop! You go Jenny!!

  276. Jenny, you’re amazing! I know it’s so hard to put yourself out there and I feel so proud of you, even though I’m an internet stranger 😳😊

    I’m an abstract artist. I’ve always struggled with putting words into exactly WHY I paint, until I read Furiously Happy and I learned what it means.

    I have Depression and Anxiety, but I’m not going to create paintings about them (they don’t deserve it). Instead I create painting about the beautiful moments in life that tell Depression and Anxiety to STFU.

    If you’d like some beautiful and colour full artwork for your new shop (paintings, mural?), please think of this internet stranger to whom you’ve given words to describe her artistic journey ❤️

    (You are the best! ~ Jenny)

  277. There is a local bookstore near me in Pennsylvania called Cupboard Maker Books https://cupboardmaker.com/
    They have “store cats” and they house cats who are needing adoptions for people to come to meet and adopt. It’s awesome! They also have the outside of the store painted like the binding of books. Definitely an inspirational store you can check out. They have a Facebook page too https://www.facebook.com/CupboardMakerBooks/

  278. Since chances are I won’t get to go there, I would love to have a way to order autographed books online, and I love the idea of a way to watch author events, whether it is a livestream or a YouTube channel or something. As for a physical store, comfy chairs, possibly a used books section if it is not all used books. And chest strapped ferrets would totally improve things!

  279. Love this! And I’m so glad you didn’t post it yesterday as I’d have been horribly crushed if it were an Aprill fool’s joke. Bookstore cat is fantastic! My local bookstore doesn’t have one but they welcome in leashed animals and have dishes of water outside their shop for the ones just passing by. To go with all the glorious books (metaphysical section with various oracles, tarot decks, etc. is a must for me) I really love the shops that have the small gift type stuff – notecards, candles (there’s lines that are book store themed), quirky socks, pencil sets for beginning artists (or ones who’ve lost theirs), some crystals that can be for meditating or used as sun catchers, a coffee kiosk next door (where cat & ferrets can’t go – because health code), lots of cozy areas to sit and read/write/absorb the vibes, not stereotypical straight rows of bookcases layouts….

  280. Coffee, booze can get …problematic. A coffee kiosk would be awesome. I can’t wait for the online book club!

  281. WOW! Love the idea, and the margaritas, otters and ferrets. I will have to think about your question – but right away I think THE PEOPLE are what make a great bookstore…so nice to walk in and have friendly people saying hello and not ignoring you. Also, readings, live events, competitions (local short stories and poems, etc.) Your books could be the prizes. Or a gift certificate. I like a podcast called Selected Shorts where people read short stories – maybe you could do something like that? Keep us posted – setting it up and getting it running could be the basis for your next book (after you write the one about your trip to Europe, of course.) No pressure! LOVE IT!

    (Ooh, I love the idea of competitions. Good way to get eyes on new writers. ~ Jenny)

  282. Book signings and readings by authors who would never be able to get their books in, say, Barnes & Noble, but definitely have things to say. I would LOVE to fly down and do one on my own dime to do one.

  283. If you’re going to have children’s books…..

    Keep ONE copy on the floor for kids to destroy. Keep all the rest behind plexiglass that customers can’t get to. When someone wants to buy a book, they get a nice clean pretty one. And your shrink of destroyed books stays down.

    I worked in the kids department at Borders many many years ago. And kids bend pages, and love on books. Which is great. But parents always grabbed the best looking from the shelf, THEN if they wanted to buy it, they’d inevitably leave the book their kid had been loving on (the one that was new & prettty but wasn’t anymore) and grab another from the shelf to take home.

    Soooo many destroyed books we had to deal with.

  285. Yeay! You will be great at this!

    My favorite bookstores are ones that have both new and used books. Also, I love it when there is local art on the walls, and even for sale.

  288. My favorite bookstore here in Minneapolis is Birchbark Books. Owned by another writer you may have heard of Louise Erdrich. Small, intimate space which that gives lots of shelves to Native American and many other writers of non-white origin. Incredible children’s selection. I’d be happy to send you pics of it because it’s really special.
    So exciting!!!

  289. I’m local! Yay!! My first thought was The Pearl, but they already have an Indie book shop and I don’t know the rules on competition, etc. Have you looked in/around Old Town Helotes? Or maybe even Boerne; I don’t live there but there’s always such a chill vibe when we visit. Maybe not Stone Oak, though, the traffic is madness, lol.

    (I do love Boerne and it’s nearby so if we can’t find the perfect place in San Antonio that might work. ~ Jenny)

  290. We have a bookstore here in Minneapolis for kids that is called Wild Rumpus. It has a tiny child sized door inside a big door. They have glass panels in the floor where you can see tarantulas. They have shop cats AND shop chickens. The whole place is magical. I kind of see your shop as a tie between this and Shakespeare and Co. in Paris. Either way, we are completely supportive of this idea up here in Minnesota! Would be happy to roadtrip there in the dead of winter.

  292. This is so exciting. I love my local bookstore here in London. It’s fairly new & such a welcome thing as we’d been without a bookshop for such a long time. Maybe you could chat to them and see what they do @brookspinner

  293. I love this. Things I like in a bookstore — wifi, a quite space to read, work or drink a cup of tea. Small meeting space is a plus, so local book related events can happen (like a book club could meet there). I also think staff need to be well read and knowledgeable. I hate when you ask a question at a book store and the person answering clearly doesn’t read. MUCH LUCK with the grand adventure!

  294. I’ve never been so excited. I believe in you and the things that you make and I can’t wait to come visit one day!

  297. OMG jumping up and down excited for you!!! What you have in mind just sounds like a place I could move into (I promise I won’t). Sadly not anywhere near me physically but perhaps one day when you open it, it shall be a destination for a vacation.

  298. Congratulations! Books and cats are some of my favorite things. With a potential for free roaming cats I would suggest a flooring material that is easily cleaned & that any upholstered furniture have removable/washable covers with maybe a couple back-up covers. Also break-away collars & microchips, just in case.

  299. What a lovely idea! Good luck! I think you should have a coffee bar and sell croissants and scones and lovely things to nibble on because consumables sell well and can help keep the rest of your operaton afloat. Also lots of nice cozy armchairs and good lighting and a section for used books because that is environmentally a great idea!

  300. I’m so very excited for you and this adventure! Best of luck. I know you will do great. My only advice is start small and let it grow naturally. Sometimes people think too big at first. Start small and cozy and always keep true to yourself.
    Best wishes.
    I hope to visit book store one day!

  301. I think that’s a bloody fantastic idea. Someday I am coming to San Antonio on vacation!

  302. A spot for Audio books to be listened to. Dragging my boys who DO NOT have a love of reading was always hard, and they were a constant pain in other people’s asses as I pretended I did not know these wild beasts. However – if they could have listened to books, they may have been containable. Maybe…

  303. I love book stores, especially small independently owned ones. I might recommend something like Powell’s in Portland has going on, where it’s a combo of new and used books. Also, the only thing I like about the big box bookstores is the mostly enclosed children’s section. So I can still hear my kids, but can roam the stacks for adult books that I may someday read but for now just stack by my bed without worrying overly much that my kids will be abducted. Best of luck to you! Wish I was in San Antonio <3

  304. OMG!!!

    I don’t live in San Antonio (or anywhere near, actually. I live near Dallas, which is on the other end of the danged state. Hi.) but I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED FOR YOU, JENNY! OMG OMG OMG!!!

    And if I lived in San Antonio, I would come work for you. Or at least apply. Because I love the smell of books. Customers, not so much, especially when they’re being assholes. But the smell of books and shop cats and possibly ferrets would be TOTALLY worth it. 🙂

    YAAAAAAAAAY!!! You take this idea and KICK ITS ASS!! BECAUSE YASSS! YASS!

  305. This is amazing! I’m so excited for you! This sounds too good to be true. My favorite bookstore sells (gently) used books and some new, they have a system where you bring in your old books and sort them into the shallow tubs they provide (2 a day max), you sign your name and whether you want your old books back or no once they have taken what they want, and whether you want to know what credit you have accrued that day or no (if no the latest they have entered credit for me is the next day) and credit can be applied to your purchases.

    The one thing that sucks at this place is the noise level– there is a high-pitched sound in the middle of the store and a whining fan somewhere else that means I can only be in there for about half an hour at a time.

    So excited for you, you can do eet!

  306. My local library put that video of a fire in a fireplace up on a TV Screen and had 2 comfy chairs and a coffee table in front of it. Now, I realize that won’t fly in TEXAS in the summer but it was so cozy this winter. I like a bookstore with a coffee bar but if you want to have a BAR bar, that could be better! Except I’ll only buy one drink coz I live an hour away from SA. Another thing I personally like are carrels, where I can hunker down with my computer, shut out the world and work.

  307. Oh Hellz Yeah! My suggestions amount to the fulfilling of my own needs, one of which is to open it in Minnesota (my home state), which I know is probably not possible. But at least have Great Coffee, tea, and sweets there! I’m struggling in my own life right now having been asked to write someone’s memoirs. I’ve never written anything that got published before… unless you count that literary magazine in my first college… which I don’t. Anyway this is a woman who knows nearly nothing about writing/reading including the fact that you can’t plagiarize another whole book into your memoirs just because you learned something from it. {{sigh}}
    I love the book store idea… Go For It!!! <3 <3 <3

  308. Mr B’s Emporium Bookshop in Bath, England is my favorite bookstore. They have amazing books, knowledgeable staff and my favorite thing: the “book spa” — a telephone booth with curtains and a comfy armchair and a tiny tray and headphones and you pick some music and a book and they bring you a cup of tea and biscuits and you draw the curtains and snuggle in for an hour of “book spa-ing”. And I love their tote bags too.

    It’s the best.

  309. I think you have a great advantage because you are “known” and you will get customers that just want to be around you so you can definitely use that to your advantage and get a unique space because you don’t necessarily need to the foot traffic to bring you in business. I worked for an architectural firm that was in a converted church that had 2 story stained glass windows and hardwood floors and had a few ghost sightings. It was a pain in the ass to manage because it was old and stuff, but it was amazing and had such an “Awww” factor to everyone that came in the door. The owner was able to get it super cheap because no one really wants to buy an old church these days.
    Maybe building ownership isn’t for you… but I don’t see you in a new high tech lease space, I would really love to see you in a space that has character.

  310. And on #nationalferretday no less! Oooooooooooooo Jenny! This is marvelous! I have recently traveled solo from CT to NC and am already planning a future trip to your bookshop in San Antonio!

  312. WHAT. A. FANTASTIC. IDEA!!!! One of the things I love most about book stores are comfy spots to sit and read. I also love good artwork in these spots- and if you can’t have margaritas on account of Victor and pesky liquor licensing, then I do truly adore the scent of good coffee and baked goods. Sigh. I will go to San Antonio from NM JUST to visit your bookstore Jenny. <3

    Also PS we will NEED shop cats AND ferrets. They will need nametags. If we can pretend they are fetching cookies, all the better. Tell Victor your fan base demands it. Does he really want to be responsible for denying your fan base? I DIDN’T THINK SO. 😉

  313. A reading area that is set up like a giant blanket fort. Nooks that are recessed into the wall like a cubby for people to curl up and read. Separate zones for people who want to chitchat and people who need quiet introvert time. Ooooooh, and a designated day when people could bring their pets!

  314. Hard yes to infested with otters but an equally hard yes to small bar! I don’t know what the laws are like in Texas about drinking in establishments, but as Northeasterner I assume it’s similar to guns and there aren’t any.

    My favorite bookstore is Eight Cousins in Falmouth MA. I think yours will just end up being the intangible things I love about it without you even trying (except for “There throughout my childhood”, but maybe you could Mandela Effect it into my brain?), but one small thing is that they put their sticker inside each book they sell. I love that because then I’ll never forget where I got the book, which makes it more special.

    Also, they have sometimes hosted Paint Nite events which reminded me- I think some Tribe people who are good at painting organized an online version once. Maybe there could be another of those that’s online AND at the store?

  315. Well, that sounds rather ambitious, what with all the ferrets and kittens and raspberry donuts…not to mention the books.

    However, my recommendation is that you do immediate research by watching the entire series (it’s only 3 seasons!) of Black Books, so you can know how to act as a book shop owner and you can start looking for your Manny today.

    Much luck, and I hope this is both an enjoyable and a profitable venture!

  316. My two cents about bookstores that I love: something different. As said by others, whatever you do is amazing, so I have no doubt your bookstore will not be any different. One of my favorite bookstores has little fairy lights all over, and soft lighting. It’s cozy, yet vast. They carry books that are bestsellers, but also little known books from authors that maybe don’t get a lot of press. Do you remember coming to Raleigh NC for your You are Here tour? Quail Ridge Bookstore is where I saw you, and that’s a fantastic bookstore.

  317. A meeting room for book clubs–we ALL want to get away from our kids!

  318. OK, this might have otten deleted, so here it is again. This idea reminds me of a children’s bookstore in Minneapolis called Wild Rumpus. It has a kid sized door inside the big door. It has glass panels in the floor for tarantulas. It has shop cats and shop chickens. It is magical. I imagine your shop as a cross between that, and Shakespeare and Co. in Paris. Either way, we are very supportive of this idea in MN, and would be happy to do a destination roadtrip in winter to come and see it. Good luck!!

  319. I’m delighted to see a couple of other people asking for accessibility friendly! Please make that a priority. But still old and spooky. 😀

  320. Comfy chairs and a wine bar are a must! I also vote for Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman replicas that sing/narrate (actual Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman would be preferable, but I’m trying to live in reality here).

  322. The best bookstore ever is The Tattered Cover in downtown Denver, Colorado. It is three stories of exposed brick in an old warehouse with well worn wooden flooring and lots of reading nook’s with overstuffed arm chairs. See if you can find any interior pictures of that place… The only thing lacking are the animals! Don’t be fooled if you type in the name and discover the satellite operations that they have at the various airports… Ignore that entirely! Can’t wait for you to open so I can use some of my Southwest airlines miles to come and visit!

  323. Definitely have new and used books.; and sell all your fun Bloggess goods. There was one where I used to live that had an antique wood and stained glass bar right in the middle that served as the register and information desk. I also like when the bookstores carry independent books and art by local artists.

  324. Best news! This is so good on so many levels, for all of us. I may live in Canada, but it’s good for me, too. Bravo, mazel tov!! Looking forward to hearing more.

  325. My small bit of encouragement/advice would be to celebrate voices and sources that might be missed in the Big Stores. Poetry. Art. Writers from marginalized communities; women, people of colour, indigenous writers, KIDS who are authors… there are so many great ones. I just finished reading a series by N.K. Jemisin, a Hugo award winner who is a black woman writing science fiction/fantasy – and she is INCREDIBLE.
    Good luck to you. The world needs more great bookstores!

  326. When we lived in Charleston, a university town in south-central Illinois, I worked part-time in a small Mom & Pop bookshop called Lincoln Book Shop. First off, everything in Illinois is named for Abe (or his mother Sarah) Lincoln. The owners were a professor of English and his wife, an eccentric, wonderful woman. That was the best job I ever had. It was much like you are describing your bookshop-to-be. I think with you being so well known, it will be a successful venture financially as well as creatively. And, here’s the plus, my dad lives in San Antonio, so I may actually get to visit the shop. Best of luck.

  327. My favourite bookshop ever had wonky floors, cubbyholes with chairs, themed displays (not based on bestseller lists), newspapers and magazines from around the world, and staff who really knew and loved books. The owners were previously librarians (it bears repeating that librarians never retire) who had spot-on next book suggestions for all ages and interests.

  328. I would love to see books and events that highlight marginalized communities – work from women of color, indigenous authors, LGBTQ writers, etc. Collaborate with minority-owned local businesses to support them – like have a local bakery cater your opening or sell trinkets made by local WOC. That would definitely get me into a book store!

  329. I read that as book “desserts” and not deserts which some books actually ARE dessert. I think you should name the bookstore “Joe Hates You” and have a corner nook with an empty chair labeled with Joe’s name on it.

  331. Used books, old books, out of print books. Not just the current best sellers. And yes cats. My wife worked at a library with a cat for years and it made the place alive.

  332. So basically, you need to find a space that’s a haunted Victorian in a nice, new shopping center, with friendly ghosts glowing with a lot of light, a small bar with giant chairs, and infested with otter landlords. That should be no problem.

  333. I live in a place where we have an awesome local book store (Denver area, Tattered Cover). What I love about it are the many staff recommendations, casual atmosphere, and accessible staff. Knowing I can sit there for hours and peruse the books, have a coffee, and read a few chapters before buying is the best. I’m so excited you’re doing this and can’t wait to make a trip to SA and visit it.

  334. Coffee, but only one really good kind and the only options are cream and/or sugar and black. 2 kinds of tea (one of which has to be Earl Gray). Definitely Margaritas if you want to hassle with liquor licenses and liabilities. Cats for sure but not ferrets as they like to run up people’s pant legs and chew on books. You also need a store mascot, the obvious choice would be a racoon and I can’t decide if there should be an area for rugrats or not. They are noisy and annoying even when they are your own. Maybe some well appointed cages for children in a separate soundproof room? Just spitballing…

    I think you’ll do great and it’s a wonderful idea!

  335. San Antonio is now on my list of places to visit. I like bookstores where them employees don’t look at you weird when you ask if they have he book “by the author who wrote about Victorian horse riding. It had a blue cover and with a cat on it.” Also who don’t mind helping you find a book. Because I rarely know the author.

  336. I always thought if I had a shop of some kind, I’d
    1. Have a community wall where people could submit random acts of kindness they had seen.
    2. Have some way for people to earn store credit by doing chores or something.
    3. Have an easy way for people to purchase ‘pay or forward’ bucks or something. I’ve seen it on the internet at restaurants where people buy a slice for someone homeless or down on their luck to get a slice.

  337. I did not have time to read all the comments but (1) awesome idea and congratulations, (2) favorite bookstore to date = Tattered Cover, Denver, CO, and sorry if someone already posted it but here’s the website https://www.tatteredcover.com/ and not coincidentally this is where my husband found & purchased Furiously Happy, (3) PLEASE open a branch in Houston after you are wildly successful in San Antonio. 🙂

  338. Brilliant! You will flourish! Bookstores that I love have many of the things you describe, and I see ferrets as a major plus (sorry, Victor! 🙂 ). I saw a story on Atlas Obscura about a library that has bats to eat the book-eating bugs its historic book collection attracts, and my first thought was, I WANT TO SEE THE BATS! And then, OOH, HISTORIC MANUSCRIPTS? I’m not sure you want to go the live bats route, but maybe some taxidermied bat-guardians would be proper. I mean, at least, right? The bookstores I visit repeatedly stock not just the mainstream books, but something in a niche such as “regional poetry” or what have you. I’m a huge fan of bookstores that stock contemporary poetry. The bookstores I love most, most, most are the ones that have the same programs as a public library might have and that are connected to the community. You’ve got this going on. Congratulations! I’m excited for you! (Books trip to San Antonio. 😉

  339. This is amazing! My favorite bookstore is brand new and so needed in my town. It’s called Story on the Square in McDonough, GA. It’s a book store and has all the great things local bookstores have except there’s a bar in the bookstore called…. Wait for it……… Rough Draft! I think the most important thing about a local bookstore is community and inclusion. Bookstores are safe spaces for introverts alike. I’m so excited to be a part from afar!

  340. AWESOMENESS!! The Alabama theater in West Houston (that is now a Trader Joe’s) was a BOOKSTOP originally before Barnes & Noble purchased them waaaaayyyyy back. I know because i worked for B&N/B.Dalton/Scribner’s, etc. for many years – in Real Estate, Construction and then did a ton of their store planning;) Lemme know if you need annnnny thing!
    XStacy

  342. Best of luck to you in this exciting endeavor!!! I did it once, almost 10 years ago now. Lasted for three years… but, sadly, could not go on longer than that. Just didn’t have the sales and it ended in bankruptcy. I’d be happy to help in any way, even though I live up here in (nearly) the Great White North. I can help with the things you should not do as I recall the things I found out too late to fix the mistakes I made. Again, best of luck!! I truly LOVED my shop, my customers, and just knowing I was doing something really really good. I hope you succeed and are a bookstore owner forever!!!

  343. One of my favorite books is THE LOVE LETTER by Cathleen Schine, in which Helen is a 40-something owner of a small bookstore, a renovated PINK house called HORATIO STREET BOOKS. I’ve always wanted to live in that book and run that bookstore. ::sigh::

  344. This is my dream too but mine would have a bakery in it. My opinion, it needs to be in some place homey. When you walk in you smell old books and coffee and baked desserts. You can’t get that from a new, fancy store-front. Comfortable old couches and recliners. Books you can read and leave a bookmark in and someone won’t remove it before you come back to read again another day. Real, antique teacups that don’t match. Places where you can work on jigsaw puzzles. A sunny back porch to read in the warm days; a shaded front porch swing to read during the many hot months. I’m in Houston but I would definitely visit. Good luck! If anything doesn’t feel like you then don’t do it.

  345. A nice old storefront would be great. I’m thinking wood floors, old furniture and a door with a bell that rings when someone comes in. It’s important to make sure the place is handicapped accessible. No big flights of stairs between you and a part of the space, that sucks. And totally hook it up to the floo network so we can all come and visit.
    There is a totally awesome indy bookstore in St. Louis called Left Bank Books. They have a bookstore cat and everything! You should look them up. http://www.left-bank.com

  346. Read alouds to children is always a good idea. and Several comfy upholstered Queen Anne chairs with the little feet.
    Big windows at the front, or sky lights that let in sunlight so it doesn’t feel too dark.
    But I’m probably channeling the spirit of this lovely used bookstore on Broadway in Denver. The books are old and weathered, but the shop is older. The building is 200yrs old, and the wood floors let out that baked wood smell in the summer, and the big shop windows let in the light, while a big dog naps by the front counter.
    That’s the kind of magic I love.

  347. This is fabulous news!! Congratulations Jenny!!! I used to work at a bookstore I think the secret to keeping a bookstore open is diversifying what you’re offering your customers. Maybe consider magazines and perhaps some writer’s workshops with guest authors? The shop I worked out also sold cards. Best wishes!!

  348. AMAZING!!! I’m totally coming out there when you’re finished 😀
    There’s a cool bookstore in San Diego that has a staircase to the 2nd floor which is the kid’s section and that area also has games for them & I think a floor chess board with 3′ chess pieces. Plus I think it might have a cafe… and seating, but not enough fluffy seating if I recall.

    I’m so friggin excited for your dream!! Makes me want to work faster on my book so I can maybe see it on your shelves when I get there EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

  350. A perfect bookstore would have wine, better yet a full bar. I always read books based on employee review cards under book.
    Great music, a massage room and a area with babysitters to read to kids and do crafts while moms read and shop.
    Have 5 types of book clubs available to join.
    Be careful about cats because of allergies.
    Have kids birthday room where book birthday parties can occur, themed of course to a book(ie matilda)
    Have a donation area for books for children.
    Limit books to only the best

  351. My favourites boom shops are the second hand ones. There’s no bright lights or music playing, it hasnt been sanitized to death. It smells of pages, and you have to peruse to find real gems. The ones where art and poetry take up larger spaces than self help, but the self help section encourages the spirit, and not a cheap 30 day gimmick. Also, a dog. A loveable old dog who comes to check on your while youre digging thru the bottom shelf.

    In short, i like bookshops that feel like youve finally been given permission to go into your favourite grandparent’s/professor’s study. It’s cozy and you never have to leave.

  352. My favorite book store growing up was called tatnucl bookseller. It was in an old gun factory. All bright sun, wood floors and brick walls. It was a place that you loved to wander, even if you were not buying books. It sold gifts and had a cute cafe! Now I live in Key West, FL and my favorite shop is books & books. Judy Blume owns it and it has the same calm feeling. Books stores are essential to life!! I’m proud of you for writing this down and taking the 1st step of planning for the dream.

  353. Hooray!!! The world always needs more of this and I am here for you! My favorite bookstore is Powell’s in Portland because they have new and used and it is quirky and people come and I can support them in person or I can shop online. You will be great

  355. Perfect for you. Yes on nooks and overstuffed chairs from some grammy’s house. Maybe a section with Antiquarian and hard to find books? I finally scored a copy of “Super Pickle” as a present for my adult daughter. We were both thrilled.

  357. This sounds very similar to my favourite book shop, Shakespeare & Co in Paris. I’ve only been there once, in May 2017. Unfortunately it will be a while before I visit again; I live 12,600km away. 😭
    Have you been there?

  358. I think you need to move closer to Austin where all of us weirdos would fill up that bookstore on the regular! Until you come to your senses, I SUPPOSE I can drive the 45 minutes… 😉

  360. I do almost all of my reading through library books. I love me a library. I would LOVE for a local bookstore to have reading-related paraphernalia–magnetic bookmarks, nerdy literature t-shirts and bags. Then I could shop local to support my fellow nerds while identifying myself as a book lover and still making my trek to the library.

  362. OMGOMGOMG I will have an excuse to come back and visit san Antonio. IT HAS TO BE HAUNTED… its you,,, that’s not ultra modern and sleek that’s haunted and a little full of bats and cats and completely wonderful!

  363. I love this! Haunted, old Victoria, cats, bookmobile (I had one in my childhood neighborhood that I loved!).

  364. We had the best book store where we used to live Buttonwood books. It was great because it had a kids toy section, so if we needed a birthday gift (like every Saturday) we could grab it and I could check out the books at the same time and my kids always wanted to go there which made me happy because I could again check out the books.

  366. YES!!!!! I will absolutely make a trip to Texas for this! My favorite bookstore ever recently closed up. It was Aardvark’s on Church St in San Francisco. The shop cat, Owen was adopted by one of the employees and He now has an Instagram account. (I think it’s Owen Aardvark, but don’t quote me). The Iliad Bookshop in Los Angeles is pretty amazing. I can’t wait to see/hear more about your place!

  367. So ready! I live in Austin but will totally make trips the SA to see what wonderful weirdness you create!

  368. Love, love, love that you’re following your heart Jenny! My suggestion would be to place book related art and craft items (local/smalltime artist wares) available in each section. Like jewelry inspired by LOTR in the Fantasy section or stuffed Ravens with the Poetry. When readers aren’t reading we’re often spending our moola on book or fandom related stuff and its nice to find unique art (vs. made in china plastics). It’ll help profitability I’m sure. I just bought myself some scrabble earrings (NOS4A2) and eyeing a pair of Luna Radish earrings (HP) for a friend on etsy. Good luck, I’m sure it’ll be grand!

  369. OMG Jenny this is so awesome. I now have an ULTRA GOOD reason to visit San Antonio!!

  370. Oh, so excited for this venture (though I’m not near San Antonio)!

    I love bookstores where you can get lost, but not have that panicked feeling of “oh shit, I’m lost” but that, “let’s keep wandering, maybe Narnia (or Temerant, or the Cosmere, or whatever your bookish mind things of) is over there”. Shakespeare and Co. in Madison, WI comes to mind…

  371. Omg please! Anywhere near the med center needs this! I will be in town tomorrow and will be happy to look at places that would work. I will basically live there when I’m not hiding from the world in my apt.

  372. I am the most pragmatic person ever so no great ideas from me, but as a construction manager, I encourage you to find a design team that can really bring your vision to life. You are incredibly creative! The process will be fun with the right team around you and tedious if you’re struggling to get your ideas from your head into build-able construction drawings. Find someone who “gets you” and who understands your budget and schedule goals. I know the space will be amazing and I’m sure, with the right preparation and planning, the process will be a blast, too!

  373. Idea: Hire me to drive the bookmobile or take care of the cats and ferrets… I’ll have to relocate though… but I’m thinking of it anyway because this bookstore idea is PERFECTION.

  374. Amaaaaaazing! I live in Austin and only shop at BookPeople but will be so glad to have another local option for when I visit my in-laws in SA. Have a Narnia-type portal where a wardrobe or bookshelf leads to a secret room! Be sure to have changing tables in both the men’s and women’s restrooms for those of us with littles (or better yet, have universal restrooms, gender be damned, but it is so annoying when only the ladies room has a place to change my daughter, as if my husband is incapable?!). Big fat yes vote for a store cat or two or twelve. Story time for the kiddos, coffee and tea and cookies help too. Any way you could get your friend Neil Gaiman to be on staff?!? 🙂

  375. OMG yes… YES YES YES!! This is so much better than whatever I thought you were going to announce when you asked us to yell at you on Facebook… And now I have a real motivational reason to sit down and write a freaking book, or twelve. I’ve no idea why this is so inspirational but it is.

    OH and can we have a rotating art gallery, please? (Because art is a revolution. Or some other ridiculous punnery)

  376. As an ex bookbuyer, at a University Bookstore, I was in charge of the books people really want to read not textbooks, my advice is to have great relationships with publishers reps, they can keep you informed on national tours of authors and help you set up wonderful book signings and readings of nationally known authors that might be touring near you. I got Maya Angelou on the cuff that way and a totally unadvertised signing brought in 5.000 people word of mouth, and Steven King stopped in on his motorcycle tour of the USA and no signing was even planned but about 100 stormed the store and got signatures, I sold out all of his books I had in the store in about 5 minutes and people in the dorms brought their own when they heard he was in the parking lot. Also, dedicate a section of the store to local authors, your books go there as well as published books from faculty authors at a local college if you have one in the area and set up readings for those local authors and book signings for them as well. Coffee and Tea is a great idea along with pastries. And really, hire those that read, in fact, make it part of their job to keep up on the current trends in literature, hire English majors and Artists. The local independent store that I love is Watermark Books and Cafe…https://www.watermarkbooks.com/. They also sell handmade toys from local toymakers, and artwork from local artists as well as books, they sell those on consignment so it’s always fun to walk into a bookstore with so many unique things. Maybe you could sell consignment taxidermy? Make sure you make a webpage for the event notifications, announcements of new books, recommendations from you and your staff. And yes, like many others here I’d much prefer an old house with wooden shelves over a shopping center metal shelves environment with cozy couches and chairs in nooks and crannies.

  378. How brave and wonderful!
    Y’all make me proud to be a Texan. Promise to drive over to visit SA from here in East Texas if you 1. Have cats. Ferrets are optional 2. Zillions of books, new and used. 3. A quirky space. (Victor is being practical, but an old house is way, way more interesting) 4. Good lighting and seating and clean bathrooms. 5. And when I come to visit your Parents drop in, since they are my age 😉

  379. Big comfy chairs and tea and hats and boas (the feather kind) to wear whilst drinking tea and reading in the big comfy chairs

  380. I love that you are going to open a bookshop. Can I please recommend you keep accessibility in mind? I’ve been to so many places where friends who need walking aids or use wheelchairs can’t look around once they get inside; shelves too close together, stairs and no elevator, etc.

    Also please consider a kids corner that has craft books and tables where someone braver than me can teach the kids while parents get a chance to look around. 🙂

  381. OhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod I love EVERYTHING about this. Now I have one more reason to go visit my nephew in Austin! The best bookstores need lots of used books looking for a new home, several big, comfy (not haunted! )chairs and employees who love books as much as I do. Good luck finding the perfect spot!

  382. This pleases me so much! I’ve always wanted to own a bookshop and live in an apartment above it. I’m so excited for and slightly jealous of you right now! Congratulations, and please post pics of prospective locations you check out. I’m in agreement on the comfy chairs and the ghost. A warm, inviting, and comfortable atmosphere is always a huge plus in a bookshop. I hope you find the perfect place.

  383. This is amazeballs!! I would say near the med center would be awesome! So many people there who would welcome a place to go and feel comfortable.

  384. Oooh, also have second hand books as well as new, which lets people sell and buy new-to-them books.
    If you have space for a separate area for children then consider story times

  385. Oh, I’m so excited for you! Have faith in yourself and let this happen, and I’ll find a way to visit from New England!

    I have no brilliant ideas that haven’t already been mentioned– what you’re describing sounds lovely to me, and I would just emphasize the need for coffee and tables and chairs and OUTLETS for plugging in laptops. Excuse the all caps– I’ve visited too many lovely places without convenient power outlets!!! Ahem.

    Sending love and support– build it and we will come! Hugs.

  386. I have to concur with the suggestions for comfy seating. I will side with Victor on location. You want good A/C and a nice tight building so your utilities don’t kill your dream. Settle for haunted furniture. Margaritas are way over done…the Cinemark in Round Rock has a frozen Jack and Coke machine. (I think it serves like three flavors to be honest and one is a strawberry margarita – but a boozy cherry coke slurpee is all I was seeing) Of course the only potential hiccup there is dealing with TABC! Good solid tea, coffee and a hot chocolate to die for are all good additions. Other loves – include local independent graphic novels in your selections. There is a huge amount of local talent. Feature local artists as well as writers. Hang that stuff on the wall – make it wild and beautiful. Host writing workshops. Host tea parties with literary characters as guests. Carry fine papers and writing tools. Many readers tend to be penpal and postal swap junkies. I love the ideas of books on demand and those printer prices are coming down. A STAGE! Everywhere needs a stage. Don’t let the ‘fun’ hurt your bottom line. Used books are fantastic – but you cannot be everything and be financially successful. Limit your used selections to first editions, antiques and truly special things. Put NEW books into the hands of NEW readers and introduce them to NEW writers. We want this to be something that sticks around. Now go watch The Bookshop and be Christine! lol

  387. I love this!!! You will have THE best bookstore EVER. I’m going to have to make a trip to San Antonio now. And I vote Haunted Victorian, and DEFINITELY with otters. Or ferrets. Maybe some bison out back?

  388. I am envisioning a taxidermy and steampunk aesthetic, with a TARDIS that leads to the bathroom (obviously) and every time someone opens the door it makes that distinctive TARDIS “swooshing” sound. I also think that wine should be served, as well as coffee because it’s never too early for wine and never too late for coffee (at least in my world).

    I assume that most book signing and author events will involve some form of cosplay.

    I can’t wait to see what you create!

  389. Oh, Jenny. This is so wonderful! Mazel tov, my friend! I am a librarian, so LOVE the idea of having events and programs and rooms for different purposes! HEY! Do you need a librarian on staff?? I would like to formally apply to work in this literary utopia ASAP! But I am deathly allergic to cats… Waaw Woooh. (Is that the way you write the Debbie Downer noise?)

    Definitely need refreshments and a kick ass Tween/Teen section. So happy for you. And only a little bit kidding about being your personal librarian. I’m available to start immediately. After I move to TX, of course…

  390. In my mind, I see your bookstore as a sort of cross between a Hogwarts library and the one I grew up with in Huntington Beach, Ca. Kind of dark and mystical, with big, comfy chairs and couches in corners and quiet spots. A middle atrium with skylights and a water feature, a spiral staircase, lots of dark, wooden bookshelves, the margarita bar in the back, and the sci-fi, magic, and mystery sections being HUGE.

    I also see cats, but no ferrets. I’m a person who does not like ferrets.(We do exist!)

    I’m adding a link to the public library from my home area. We all loved it. It’s in a park setting, with a lake, ducks, trees…it’s just so awesome!

    While you’re looking at the photos, also check out pictures of the Huntington Beach Library Garden. It’s such a beautiful area. https://www.google.com/search?q=huntington+beach+public+library&client=ms-android-verizon-sscr&prmd=mniv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjQ05DEnbLhAhUvCjQIHT_pBqoQ_AUoA3oECAwQAw&cshid=1554236507712&biw=320&bih=530

  391. Please name the store Surprise Ferret Books.

    For what it’s worth, I loved, loved, loved the bookmobile as a kid. Got excited each time it visited my school. I never returned my books on time and always cost my class the pizza party, but that’s another story.

  392. WOW WOW WOW WOW I love this so much!! I really appreciate when bookstores have a mix of new and used books. Shop cats would be a huge bonus. I’m currently living in LA but would totally make a trip to San Antonio to visit the city that I was born in and see your shop!!!

  393. What an awesome idea!

    My favourite bookshop is Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, in Bath.
    Stuff they do which I love
    – author events, small enough that it’s possible to actually talk to the author (they charge for tickets, but then you get a small, intimate event, plus they get local, independent businesses to cater the event so there is always food, and you get a big discount (I think 25%) on all books you buy at the event, whether or not they are by the author you’re there for)
    – knowledgeable, friendly staff, who are happy to discuss the books as well as selling them
    – comfy chairs & free tea and coffee so you can sample the wares or just take a break and enjoy your new purchases
    – various book clubs – I think 5, varying from scifi to literary to classics..
    – loyalty rewards – they have a loyalty card which you fill to get £10 off but you also get double stamps if you are using one of their canvas tote bags.
    They also offer a ‘book spa’ where they will meet you (or the person you gift it to) over tea and cake , have an in depth discussion with you about what you like reading, and then do personalised recommendations and a selection of books…

    They don’t have a cat, but other than that it’s practically perfect!

    I’m not sure how to put a link in but their website is https://mrbsemporium.com/

  394. Maybe a used book corner for cheap? Cos new books = ££££. Also, I am totally on the old Victorian side

  395. My favorite bookstore (Powell’s City of Books, in Portland, OR) has a big concrete column covered in author signatures (and maybe quotes/comments, it’s been a while since I’ve seen it). I think this is super cool. I am so excited that you are doing this, and can’t wait to visit once it’s open. Also, I vote for cozy sitting nooks, a store cat, used as well as new books, and a fireplace if that’s possible.

  397. I believe It is a brilliant idea. I would focus on science, educational, history, biographies. I would have public readings, everyone can try to read out loud, kind of old “speakers’ corner”, it’s good for readers and audience and melts people together. Cats among shelves, some finger food, not cheap fast food but something more artistic and good quality. European Cheese and red wine, Mexican tequila and guacamole. English pies. Lectures, poetry contests. Sushi, focaccia and white wine.

  398. My favorite neighborhood bookstore had tons of used books and a small amount of new best sellers. She wrote little cards of recommendation for some. There was a table for kids to read and color at the front. Sure always had ice water to drink and sometimes coffee. She never talked to you unless you found her and asked her a question. She had an audiobook section with cassettes and CDs (nothing new). She was a teacher so the hours were after school hours and all day weekends and then all day in the summer and vacations. I loved that place. Good luck. I can’t wait.

  399. OH MY GOD
    This is the best idea ever.
    Also….I’m not local but you should probably just move to Oklahoma and do this.
    It’d be super awesome.

    As for suggestions, I have none because I’m in a book desert and we had a Hastings once but then it got shut down and so I’ve only ever really been to the giants and I don’t like those. I want a tiny little personal touch book store.

    I WILL recommend my best friend who is an author and you should totally carry her books if that’s even a possibility. HER NAME is Jess Bryant and she writes erotica and I bet she would have a total freak out of you picked her up. Her twitter handle is @Jess_Bry

    I love you. You’re amazing.

  400. I think your blog ate my comment. Apologies if this doubles.
    Maybe a little used book corner for cheaper prices than new shiny books? Cos books = £££. im totally on the old Victorian side.

  401. Haunted Victorian!!! Shopping malls attract the wrong crowds, keep it quirky!

  402. I love this plan! I will even come to see the bookstore and buy books (and maybe do a little writing). Something I’d love to see is an “independent” corner, for folks who have self-published, who wouldn’t normally get a lot of love from the big chains.

    And in addition to cozy nooks and easy chairs… hidden things, magic things. If you’re in the middle of re-stocking, and there’s an empty shelf, having a sticker or cut-out of a mouse reading, or a gremlin in the shower – something to keep the shelves from looking completely empty while changing over inventory, and something fun to discover when you pull a book off the shelf. I may or may not be guilty of doing little cartoons and adding them to empty shelves when I’m in bookstores, just because it amuses me to hear someone say “Oh look honey! That’s so cute! It’s a little owl reading! Was that behind the books? Do you think there’s more?”

  403. I would suggest modeling it after your favorite library, make it a theme. But add comfy chairs, none of those straight blacked wood chairs that make you hurt…

  404. I love M Judson in Greenville SC. It didn’t have every book known to man but it had great organization and felt like the books it did have were chosen thoughtfully. They also have a fabulous chandelier when you come in made out of spoons which someone should probably go steal for you.

  405. My favorite bookstores have a nice variety of books . You can have a couple chairs but you want people to buy the books not just come in and read them. I do not like when people have incense or candles burning. It’s a bookstore, It should smell like one. Have knowledgeable people working there who can help when someone comes in to find a particular book.
    Good Luck

  407. What I would most value is your opinion. The books that you think are cool are most likely what I would want to read. Curating the books and weird things that you like and bringing it all together to one place would be awesome. I think the human touch is lost nowadays with all the machine learning. For example, when I would go to my local video store to rent a movie (yes, I’m that old), Jan would always know what to recommend to me.

  408. Oh Victorian please!!

    This is probably a long shot suggestion. My family loves Ocracoke Island on the Outerbanks. Nearly every morning on vacation we head down to Ocracoke Coffee Co. and get our favorite morning beverages. A few years back the owners had set up a little meeting place that had comfy chairs and shelves of donated books from the Islanders and vacationers. Sort of a Take One Leave One type of thing. The area to read brought in poetry and book readings. Between the coffee shop and the book area, the place was so darn cozy. I am not sure why, but the reading area was taken away a few years ago. But I loved the idea of having a coffee and books and readings. Just an idea.

    Can’t wait to see your plans come true!

  409. :: adds san antonio to the list of places to visit ::

    Also, cats. Love shop cats!

  410. i agree with comfy chairs, furballs – cats or dogs. used books donated w/b cool. (with the ability to either say ‘no’ to some, or be able to recycle/repurpose them).
    maybe
    * a space to allow shelters to come in w/ rescue adoptions on certain days
    * windows for natural light. for the areas that aren’t reached by that, use fixtures here and there w/ LEDS, and the ability to dim or brighten? – just NO fluorescents. i hate them.
    *please read the book MISS BROOKS LOVES BOOKS, BUT I DON’T. i love the way that miss brooks dresses up for holidays/book readings & encourages little kids to also. if you get a whackadoo like that in there, kids will swarm & learn to read & love your shop.
    *our library puts on great events for all ages. the book-inspired ones are so fun. My son has been to a couple different Harry Potter parties (and while it is done on the cheap, it was totally amazing). once they had a Harry Potter yoga class. it was a hoot.
    *my elementary school library had big cubbies under the stairs to store the book carts they used & we could earn time to sit in there to read – but having a place like that to go, would be amazing. it was all carpeted w/ industrial type stuff – floor/walls/ceiling. we sat on the floor. it was like a quiet cave. kids are your future customers after all.
    *guess you better have free wifi to capture the millennials’ attention.
    i have had no desire to venture to Texas until now. will go once you open your doors. i cannot wait. KKMF!

  411. This is amazing!! I would travel all the way from Vermont to come visit your bookstore, cuddle ferrets, drink margaritas and find even more books to read! My favorite bookstores feel more like a friends house than a store. Where you can browse or just hang out for a while and no one asks if you need help every few minutes.

  413. I live in San Antonio and I may have never been happier to say that. I think you should look in the older neighborhoods, like King William, Lavaca, Alta Vista or my awesome neighborhood Beacon Hill. You may have some trouble with zoning in some of those, but the old houses are beautiful. Parking may be a problem. I think the Hemisphere still has some retail space open or perhaps La Villita, then you could take advantage of the parking lots around there. Obviously, the south side of town is a pretty big book desert and is also seeing insane growth right now, as is the entire stretch of Broadway by the Pearl. I am sure you have all the professional staff you could ever want but I do practice business law and know a lot of good real estate brokers and people in the entrepreneurial arena. I am so excited about this! Thank you for continuing to spread love.

  414. What an amazing idea! I’m so excited for you. I think one important and easily overlooked thing is making the shop easy to navigate — think about how people are going to find the section they’re looking for. Overhead signage, labeled shelves, maps, lines on the floor, personal guide ferrets… you know, the basics.

  415. My favorite bookstore was Bay Books in Concord, CA. It closed many years ago and the mothership store in San Ramon, CA closed two years ago. You can see photos of the San Ramon store here, https://bit.ly/2FPrvYd. I don’t know if you are planning on having all new books at your store, but I hope you’ll be able to have at least a small section of used books. Used books were all I could afford many times.

    I’m sure a lot of my suggestions have been said already, but I’ve dreamed of having my own bookstore, planned down to the square inch, for years.

    I love having clean carpets to sit on, comfortable chairs arranged in groups and a coffee table to stack the selection of books you’re perusing. I prefer aged upholstery leather, it smells, feels and looks the best to me. Straight back chairs or just a stool at the end of each aisle (or hidden in between two bookshelves) would be wonderful for antisocial browsers.

    A curated children’s section with tons of floor space to sprawl, a small stage for reading hour, and a few larger chairs to encourage grown-ups to stay close by would be great. A sign saying abandoned children will be sent to Narnia is a good thing too.

    I’m not a fan of having a coffee bar IN the bookstore. I think it encourages people to eat and drink too close to the books. I hate finding new books left lying around in coffee puddles or with sticky pages from donuts. Ideally, open a coffee shop next door where people can take their purchases (and sit with the new friends they’ve met in the bookstore) and fall in love.

    Lastly, I am horrified to have to say this but a closed circuit camera system, monitored closely, is necessary these days. Having encountered a man way too excited about the books on the shelves, I was scarred for years. Also necessary in the children’s section for multiple reasons.

    I vote for rehabbing an old Victorian, ghost optional.

  416. I know it’s San Antonio but a fireplace with comfy seating around it would be so cozy cool

  417. That would be reason alone to go to SA!
    One of my favorite bookstores is Battery Park Book Exchange in Asheville, NC. The only downside to them is that they are explicitly dog-friendly, and I’m explicitly not. But they have an amazing collection and many comfy nooks to curl up in. The knitting group I’m in takes over one of these nooks on a weekly basis. Second fav would be Books for Good, a non-profit bookstore that benefits local charities. Best wishes to you – the world needs more bookstores! http://batteryparkbookexchange.com/
    http://www.booksforgoodinc.com

  419. So excited for you! My daughters and I were just having this conversation about how much fun it would be to have a bookstore and what it would look like. We are pro live animals and winding bookcases so that you get lost in the shelves.

  420. Find yourself a commercial real estate person. I have some contacts throughout Texas and would be happy to give you a referral. This is a HUGE step and I want you to get the best advice possible!

  421. I LOVE my local indie bookstore Ellen Plumbs! The owner Marcia is always so welcoming to everyone who walks through the door, always has great suggestions and hosts great events. I love the monthly open mic night on First Friday. I just love listening to other people perform their work, whether it is the high school or college student that may be attending to get class credit or the Kansas poet laureate it is always inspiring. She is encouraging to local writers and has a special section for local authors.

  422. I think bookstores need cats – real live cats to snuggle with you as you read in the corner. 🙂 (Shhhhh don’t tell Victor!)

  423. First off, it is amazing that you are chasing this dream! Second of all, your store MUST have a giant metal chicken somewhere in or in front of the store. As far as what I like about small bookstores is the staff actually being passionate about books and ready and willing to make recommendations. I also think it would be cool to have a section that works like Good Reads so that you can see what other customers recommend or get suggestions like “if you liked Book X, then try out Book Y”.

  424. Cats and dogs are perfect but have a tiny little area where people who are allergic can hide from them so the rest of us don’t have to listen to them sneeze. A bar, a fireplace, cozy nooks and overstuffed chairs are great.

  425. This sounds like my dream bookshop, shame it will be on the wrong continent. 😢

    How about you have little flip signs in the reading/writing areas for “I’m happy to chat” and “please don’t disturb me”?

    For years I’ve dreamt of opening a geeky & board game cafe in my town but am not physically up to it. Then I heard recently that someone is doing it finally. I’m not sure whether to be pleased or jelly. 😕

  427. While the bookstore idea sounds great I cringed a bit when I read about adoptable kittens in the bookmobile. If you were serious or semi-serious about that please know that adopting kittens (or any creature) out that way won’t give you time to check out the adopters. You won’t have any idea of the why or if the person actually has a place that accepts them. Please reconsider this part. (I used to work at finding homes for rescued animals – not everyone has a loving heart or a home to match their loving heart and it’s best to keep this in mind when finding homes for critters.) Otherwise, I love a well-stocked, friendly bookstore and would definitely visit yours once it is up and running.

    If I took your statement way too literally, please disgard my comment.

  428. The only real input I have is my EXTREME EXCITEMENT and I don’t even live in San Antonio. But when you open this store I will pilgrimage there.
    I love when bookstores let you trade in used books for store credit towards other used materials. It motivated me to clean shelves, if I could walk in with a box of books I no longer needed, but walked out with one or two I wanted instead. You get pennies on the dollar trading in, but I preferred taking them to a local business vs Goodwill when I needed to minimize anyway.
    Plus then I shop and ironically end up spending money and happily defeating the purpose, but supporting small business. Everyone wins!

  429. Lots of chairs nooks tables
    Coffee
    A staff that can help with recommendations
    A kid section off to itself

  430. My favorite Half Price Books is in South Texas and it is connected to a small coffee shop, Cafe Calypso. Local artists showcase their work and musicians play their songs. I love to go get books and sit and drink coffee or tea and bond with local artists (and I am 1000000% introverted who only peoples for books). I have always wanted to have my own bookstore with this concept, which is why I started a small publishing company to publish books for first-time authors. I want to fill a space with their new and raw stories, the tales they return to when they look back at how far they have grown. So if you create this bookstore, and I hope you do, there’s a chance I will show up with some books for you and never leave. Because books. And I think you are great in all the authentic stories you tell. And in the stories you don’t tell. I’ve got your back. You can absolutely do this.

  431. The Forum shopping center in Selma (IH-35 at Loop 1604) lost its bookstore when Borders went out of business. There is a lot of new construction in that area now, including a new IKEA. Please come to Northeast San Antonio. There are no bookstores near us anymore and we are a growing area.

  432. Fantabulous news!!!!! What makes bookstores great, are cats! Cats work a dual purpose. Catch critters you don’t want in a bookstore and are awesome therapy for those when struggling to find books. My worry about ferrets is they will make nests from your book stock.

  433. This sounds amazing, and you will make it amazing. I think you should have kids events where they get to read books to the ferrets. (My local library does this with dogs.) Also you could do workshops where kids get to write and illustrate their own books and leave them in a section of the bookstore for people to read.

  434. Definitely the Victorian or non-mall space. I am wondering why Victor does not the Victorian, but I digress. You should also think about incorpoating small dogs with a play area room.

  435. This is FANTASTIC! I’m sad that I live so far away. You’ve listed all the things your tribe would love and let me tell you, there are a lot of us! Now there will be trips to mecca (aka Jenny’s store). I’m so excited!

  436. It’s expanded quite a bit over the years, but one of my favorite book stores is The Tattered Cover in Denver. https://www.tatteredcover.com/ and their ‘about us’ is why: ‘Tattered Cover is a large indie bookstore and cafe with the cozy feel and comfort of smaller bookshops, furnished with comfortable sofas and overstuffed chairs and and a world-class newsstand. We sell new and used books, in addition to crisp pre-discounted bargain editions. We are a Denver institution, a community gathering place, and an experience you can’t download. The Tattered Cover has a long history of hosting LIVE author events, averaging over 600 authors, illustrators, and public figures each year.’

    It combines most of the things you mentioned plus ideas from other readers. (Add your own cats, ferrets, otters, etc.) I think it’s a wonderful idea, and I’m very excited for you!

  437. Also: there’s an empty store front on Broadway across from Fratello’s that I have always thought needed aomething. You might look into it!

  438. My dream when I wanted to open a book store, was to make it more community friendly. As in, offer some space for locals to gather, like gaming groups, community organizations, clubs. crafting groups, or study groups. I remember trying to find somewhere to meet up and having nowhere we could do it except the library which had inconvenient hours.

  439. You’re going to do for San Antonio what Fixer Upper did for Waco! Put it on the map!!

  440. Best idea ever! Online book club is a must, please. To me, the best bookstore in the world would have tea and a comfy chair, and staff who actually read the books (not just sell them). If you can make it look like the Hogwarts library, all the better 🙂
    Congratulations!!

  441. Dammit already a million comments, you’ll never see mine! Holy shit! Yes a trillion gablion times YES!! Definitely an older building with history and otters , lap kitties, ferrets peeking out of shelves! Comfy chairs and reading spaces, maybe a book loan type thing, for those that can’t afford to buy a book, or a pay it forward fund , so people can choose one book that’s been paid for already. A bar and coffee shop would be cool, but then that’s a whole nother ball of wax, and licensing that may make you stabby. Maybe just a little free coffee or cocoa or sweet tea ? Living in Washington state. I would definitely tune in for the live streams etc. I wish I could post a picture of one of my kitties Hank Meowdy, she definitely approves! Yes Hank is a She, don’t ask it’s a long story haha. Oh ps, you could have baby carriers at the door, for those of us that wasn’t to pack around a ferret!! I’d be totally down for that!

  442. My dream when I was younger and healthy was to open a bookstore in an old, wind-y town in England with a bow window front and cats. And maybe dachshunds. A place where you could hear the bells from the local church….I’m so glad you’re going after your dream! Maybe I’ll actually STOP in San Antonio instead of drive straight thru Texas every summer on our way to our cottage in Michigan and family in the midwest!

  444. Holy crap! I’d need to fly down from Canada just to go to your amazing bookstore!!

  445. Definitely haunted Victorian – I have images of a real life sized version of your doll house. Make it a vacation destination with an attached or close by bed & breakfast – I would come and stay for a week!

  446. That’s amazing! Congratulations Jenny! (might be slightly jealous, because this has been my dream too)
    However, my perfect book store has to have big comfy arm chairs to sit in and be homey feeling. With preferably a cafe in the corner that serves the most amazing cappuccino.

  448. will definitely be roadtripping to san antonio when you’re up and running!! my fave is tattered cover (the wynkoop location) in denver. it’s in a cool old building (i think previously a department store), with gorgeous wood floors, a good coffee shop, lots of seating, lots of used and new, showcasing local authors (discovered stuff there that i can’t find anywhere on the east coast) and a creepy old man mannequin sitting on the stairs reading. so, you know, it has everything. and despite being a big space, it feels warm and cozy.

  449. Hi. This is awesome. My favorite bookshop currently isn’t local to me – it’s on the other side of my state, it’s the Montague Book Mill in Montague, Massachusetts. I encourage you to look up their website. What I love about good bookstores are many of the things you’ve already said. Space to read and be left alone. No pressure to hurry up and buy something and leave. I’d LOVE to buy a book and then sit down and read it, I don’t want to steal the content, LEAVE ME ALONE, BARNES & NOBLE. I’d love to be able to sit and drink something and have some peace and quiet. But I don’t need you to install a fancy coffee bar, can’t I just bring a drink in a covered container and promise not to make a mess?? I like no-pressure salespeople and staff. I like people who will help me find things and not judge me. I LOVE THE IDEA OF CHEST-STRAPPED FERRETS.

  450. This is a weird detail, but I feel like a book shop needs a real brass shop keeper bell that rings when someone enters or leaves the store. Accept no electronic substitutes.

  451. Well, shoot, now I need to move to San Antonio and live in your bookstore among the Baby Bjorn ferrets. Please have chocolate chip scones.

  452. So much YES!! I am from Michigan so I probably won’t be able to visit, but I love that it will exist and there is always a possibility of seeing this magical place!!

  453. Far F!#$@&%ing out!!! Three things, live plants lots of greenery a sofa and an espresso machine, you might want to have biscotti. I’m really happy for you, I think it’s a great idea, it fits!

  454. A rotating magical way to enter the children’s area: A Narnia door, a rabbit hole . . etc

  456. I’m coming to San Antonio this year, so could you please have it open. Also coffee. And comfy chairs in corners where I don’t feel like I’m on display while I’m trying to decide which of the many books I’ve fallen in love with I can actually afford to take home.

    Ooooh, and a coloring table. Maybe two, one that is kid friendly and one that is just for adults. Because those littles are kind of cutthroat about the crayons. Just saying.

  458. Omg this is so awesome!!! Now I’ll totally have a reason to visit San Antonio. The only suggestions I can think of are making the shop & restrooms wheelchair/handicapped accessible. There are sadly too many places that I can’t take my younger two girls that are in wheelchairs because things aren’t accessible. The other would be a Victrola with lots of old 78’s people could play- softly of course. Wishing you lots of luck in this venture! Can’t wait to see it come to fruition.

  459. Independent bookseller meets the Addams Family meets Cheers meets Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. What’s NOT to love?

  460. I miss San Antonio and now will have another reason to go back. I love couches or at least comfortable seats in a bookstore. Makes me want to spend more time in one. If you are thinking along the lines of having coffee/non alcoholic drinks/snacks should get people to live there for a bit. I can’t wait to see it!

  461. My favorite bookstores have cozy corners or fireplaces and soft loveseats. Always at least one shop cat or borrowed kittens from the local rescue. And the cafe always has yummy things that people with dietary restrictions can consume. (Like oat milk lattes and warm vegan chocolate chip cookies) Knowledgeable staff that leave you alone. Someplace I can go on study dates with my husband rather than boring Starbucks

    I haven’t found this shop but when I do, or when you creat it, I’ll be it’s happiest patron

  462. Daunt Books in London (Marylebone Road location) is my favorite book store. They organize their travel section by subject, so the guidebooks, history, and fiction on say, France, are all together. They also use great sturdy cloth bags that are very reusable and serve as a “tell” to other interesting bookshop-goers; I have spotted them from New York to Seattle to Palm Springs.
    https://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/

  463. Not sure if my last comment posted, and that’s fine. The bookstore should have bad taxidermy. It’s a thematic must

  464. Jenny,
    I have been a school librarian for thirty years. It’s probably time for me to retire but I still love people and books too much to stay home. I think I should come work for you! And in lieu of that, how about if I just come over to help set up displays and swap fun stories? I’m free all summer. Plus I’ll work for a margarita.

    Savanah
    XX

  465. I’ve been to a wonderful bookstore in Chicago that served breakfast and coffees and had a neat little patio area. It was crammed full of new and old books and you could smell & feel the history as you wandered through. It was in an old brownstone. Brings back great memories.

  466. quietly screaming in my head

    THIS IS WONDERFUL!! Sorry, now I’m screaming in your head. Sweet Rudy the Raccoon I love this SO MUCH. I have never ever wanted to visit Texas until just now and I am asking myself if I could commit to moving there to help you make your vision happen. I have my own power tools 🙂

    What makes a good bookstore:
    -a good coffee bar
    – a cat “zone” with adoptables (because loose cats in the main bookstore is bad for people with allergies and potentially the books.)
    -eclectic decor
    -a secret room!
    -big squishy leather chairs
    -quiet levels of good music
    -plants (like 2 at least)
    -some weird brass urns on shelves that could potentially house trapped spirits and may have been dug up by a ruggedly handsome man before finding a home in the bookstore
    -Oh! Important! A short wooden staircase and banister in the middle/back of the store that leads up to an open platform of more shelves

  467. Definitely needs lots of cushy chairs! All the bookstores I go to never have enough. And THIS IS SO EXCITING!!

  468. Victor’s great & all but his shopping center idea isn’t… (Sorry Victor).
    With that said, have you ever see any of those Mystery Woman tv movies on the Hallmark channel (mid-2000s but they probably still air)? There was neat old bookstore in those movies. Anyway I love all of ideas for your bookstore! They’re all so good! Even the ferrets, but I’d prefer they be taxidermied (sorry). 🙂

  469. You need to have enough books that will sell to make
    money, but perhaps also some really good quirky
    books that are little known and hard to find. Also, from what I understand, a lot of
    Independent book stores survive on author events
    And online sales. So, maybe someone to do that part of it.

  471. YES! THIS US AWESOME! I have always avoided Texas until this exact moment!
    My favorite bookstore was called Booked For Murder and carried only mysteries. But all kinds of varieties of mysteries. My favorite spot in the store featured gothic horror mysteries and in that section there were all kinds of gargoyles on display and for purchase. Happy ones, goofy ones, spooky ones, cat ones. I got one for my mom as a Mother’s Day gift because I knew she’d never had one and everyone needs a gargoyle.

  472. Now I’ll have to make a trip to Texas! I would love to do the same thing except here in Indianapolis. I already own a coffee shop/cocktail bar and now that I’ve suggested it to the universe I’m going to have to make it happen. Anyway, all that ramble to say that down the street from my shop is another shop called The cat Cafe where people go to have coffee, read books, and pet cats. I think you’d love it. I can’t wait to experience your bookshop!

  473. Otter infestation and shop cats are an ABSOLUTE must for any possibly-most-definitely-haunted bookstore. Also though, I agree with Becki in that a Narnia Door (or “Alice in Wonderland” style door) would be fucking magical as shit. <3

  474. Don’t forget to look for barns for your bookstore! They have those in San Antonio, right? My favorite local used bookstore is Baldwin’s Book Barn http://www.bookbarn.com and it’s full of old dusty, sometimes rare books on wooden shelves in room after room after room and you go up and down lots of stairs and and hallways and find even MORE rooms with books in them. Simply devine. And I think almost no one works there because no one bothers you, unless you work up the courage to find them, hiding behind a stack of books on a desk. And when you DO find them, they are always really, surprisingly helpful. Good luck Jenny!

  475. Your store needs CATS! Lots and lots of rescue cats! They help with depression, and depressed people (I’m speaking from experience, sadly) LOVE to hide out in book stores. So yeah, cats and books and depressives. Maybe not the bar though. Ok, maybe a wine bar, but no hard stuff, because cats love whiskey, and they’ll want to get drunk, what with all the depressed people hanging around 😉

  476. Coffee. A good bookshop needs a coffee component and a lovely atmosphere that allows you to sit and stay a while. The idea that other writers and book enthusiasts could have a creative space to create and share a mutual love for the written word makes me feel so inspired! Oh also, your book shop needs an inspiration wall. Everyone can contribute. Writers or just anyone can go and read the wall when they feel they need some inspiration ❤

  477. My favorite bookstore was called the Dusty Bookshelf. It was lovely and not too bright. Instead of rows and rows of books, it had delightful nooks, or U shaped shelving, organized by category or interest. There were also cats. And a musty book smell. But I never sneezed in there, so there must have been some kind of magic that kept the dust and cat hair at bay. Last tip; a Baby Bjorn is no good for a ferret. Those suckers would certainly find their way out. Consider a wrap or sling for better ferret management.

  478. It sounds like you are planning on doing some of this already, but my favorite things about local bookstores are the communities they create. I love a store that has local author events, reading and writing groups, book clubs that don’t just read ‘book club books’ (horror/ science fiction/ humor/ adults who read YA/MG etc). And I think being able to live stream some events from afar or for days when we can’t make it outside sounds like an amazing idea.

    Other musts
    Comfy seats to read the first chapter
    Fun non book gifts (local artists are a plus)
    Free gift wrapping (sometimes I get the books wrapped even if they are just for me)
    Staff picks
    Hand written staff blurbs sprinkled through out the store
    Music that doesn’t play the top 40 from this decade
    Quirky magazines/newspapers

  479. If you ever get to the Los Angeles area, try to visit the “Diesel” bookstore in Brentwood. I think it’s the type of store you’re talking about and might give you some great ideas!

  480. I loved Gilpin House that used to be in Alexandria, VA. It was the first floor of a colonial townhouse with exposed brick and a fireplace. It was small and had chairs and love seats in odd corners and in front of the fireplace.

  481. I love this so much!!!!!! If I didn’t think iI’d end up in traction, I would do backflips!!!!! I can’t wait to come visit your bookstore!!!! Love the idea of soft, comfy chairs, little books and cubbies for when people don’t really want to socialize, but also places where you can meet new friends and chat if you want to. And love the idea of hot beverages. It doesn’t need to be a huge thing like that Seattle based company that rhymes with CarTrucks…just coffees and teas and snacks for sale. Can it be two story so you can have shop cats or shop llamas or something like that, but only people who want to interact with the fuzzy friends would have to. I would love a friendly car to come snuggle in my lap, but some may not. So. Excited. For. You!!!!

  483. Lovely! I enjoy personal recommendations (on racks and on request), author readings & signings, book clubs, Reading with a Rover (dogs!) & Paws for Reading (cats!) events, themed events for new releases (mostly for kids). Warm, cozy chairs! My fave (mostly used bookstore) has an old school library paper card for each patron. You sell your books back (approved or vetoed at owner discretion) and credits marked on card, in pencil! Used books are at least 1/2 off – with many $2 racks – and the price of any book can be HALF paid in credit!

  484. Big, comfy chairs to snuggle deep into. And cozy blankets. Fuzzy socks to sell so we can wear them and they will be fresh each time (I hate doing laundry). And raspberry donuts. And surprise ferrets!!!!!! Omgosh and those board things with all of the metal pins in them so you can make the shape of your hand or face or whatever… a really big one of those 😂. And mirror ball chickens that will fit in a small SUV. I’m so excited about this! My sister in law lives near you- when we visit I will be a patron for certain 🙂
    Cubbies to rent? 😂

  486. I don’t live in San Antonio, but I was just there for work and I could not find a bookstore anywhere within walking distance of downtown (Marriott Rivercentre downtown). The area is no doubt $$$ but I would honestly take all 3 planes it took me to get there again to go visit your bookstore! Best of luck!! I manage a small business so sending positive vibes to you to find the right space for your dream! xoxo

  487. If you’re going to have furry friends to snuggle with while we browse, may I suggest you work with a local shelter to feature some looking for forever homes? It might be a great way to fulfill 2 dreams – one for your book lovers/one for an animal seeking a home. (and I like cats, but dogs would be a great asset as well).
    Good luck with this … I am so happy you’re living your dream!

  488. This is just so fantastic. I am so, so, so happy for you! It really does sound like a dream come true. I am just bursting right now!! Obviously, I think you need a bookstore cat, but I think that goes against the rules. Rules are the worst!

    As for ideas, there are so many great things already mentioned in the comments, so mine is of a boring adult nature, only because I write commercial leases for a living. Get a real estate broker to find space and help you negotiate the lease. The landlord pays the broker, so you don’t have to come out of pocket for their commission, and there are SO many crazy weird clauses that they stick in leases these days, you definitely want to have someone who’s working on your side. A broker can help you negotiate free rent, improvements to the space, and even things like out clauses or rights of first refusal on adjoining spaces. Attorneys can be helpful, but if they don’t see commercial leases all day, they don’t really know what to watch out for!

  489. Looks like you have plenty of suggestions here, but I think you are on the right track. What makes a great bookstore is spaces for people to meet and hang out. The Victorian sounds great to me, but you also have to make a profit for all these other things to happen, so it has to be somewhere where you will get the traffic.

  490. Please consider a location on public transit so if/when I make it there, I don’t have to drive. I’ll be able to stare sideways out a bus window and watch.
    Unless you can make a deal with people who have buggies or donkey carts. Or llama carts. Because those would be even more reason to go.
    How about a separate room at the bookstore for animal cuddling after reading? The dander zone!

  491. If I had a bookstore, it would have comfy old chairs and reading nooks to sit in and browse through books you might buy, a tea bar, a cat or two, and a good selection of bookmarks to buy for new books. I’d also try and sell local artist’s stuff that could go with books, like said bookmarks and misc. Good luck.

  492. Oh I can’t wait!! I’m in San Antonio!! You MUST have a cat or 2. And the shop should not be too fancy and sterile. It’s gotta feel “lived in”. Know what I mean?

  493. One of my favorite bookstores had a used section, where you traded in books, FOR books. Like say you trade in 3 kid books, you get one free kid’s book in return from the used section. Trade in more and you could get a new book. I love that, because it gave new life to old books as well as let me find some of the more rare ones that had new covers and such. Once place did it based on the prices of the books, one place did it based on the type of books your brought back. I’m sure you could figure out a way to make it work. I also love the idea of a shop cat, but maybe only in a certain area so people with allergies aren’t turned away…like a special reading area with cat petting privileges? I dunno.

  494. Totally go for haunted Victorian. Ambience is what bookstores are all about. Cats and ghosts and coffe and wine…

  495. Def go for haunted and otter infestation. Gothic. Even rococo! It sounds like something from Z Nation =)

  496. Connect with the organizers of conventions for fans of science fiction, mysteries, etc, in your area and arrange for authors who are appearing at those cons to make a side trip to do a reading/signing at your store. That brings in customers independent stores.

  497. Everything you wrote about is what I’d want in a bookstore. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE bookstores. They were and are my sanctuary. Have been an avid reader since I was in 4th grade and learned I could be transported because of a great story. I lived at the library too as a kid. I’m excited for you that you want to do this and I want to come to the bookstore so I can hang out. There was a bookstore that had a huge fluffy cat, he had places to nap all over. He’d even come hang out with you while you sat in a chair to look over a book. Comfy chairs, tea & coffee, a little nosh to go with, a place to write, book clubs, I think you have a great start on your list. All I keep thinking is OMG, OMG, OMG I have to go there!! Congratulations!!!

  498. OMG!!! I literally gasped aloud at my desk! I am so very excited for you to do this. I love bookstores, especially small ones or ones set up to feel small. The smell of books and coffee is heaven to me so even if you don’t have coffee, please have coffee scented candles! And anything to get children excited about books and reading would be wonderful as well. Comfy worn chairs, good lighting – not the horrible fluorescent stuff. I just love everything you mentioned and you have so many wonderful ideas from everyone else as well – a brass bell, a book “pay it forward” system – all of it! I will say this and hope you make it to the bottom of all these comments: if you start to feel overwhelmed, pare it down to the basics, maybe 10 key things you want to start with and then make a plan for how you’d like to build from there. You don’t have to make all the magic happen right away!

  499. Local authors of all genres & media, please? When I travel, i skip the touristy-souvenirs and pick up local artists’ comic books, picture books, and short story collections, primarily (because they’re easy to fit in a suitcase). Local art (for sale?) on the walls is a nice touch too.

  500. My thoughts? Sheer awesomeness! You definitely need cars and ferrets and Dorothy Barker needs to make special appearances, preferably in some knitted getup. I hope that you’ll consider independent authors, too, because there are many out there who are worthy of shelf space but because they haven’t done something worthy of 10 minutes of Internet notoriety haven’t nabbed a publisher’s eye. Here’s to dreams coming true!

  501. THIS. IS. AWESOME!

    voice in my head “ok – tone it down a notch”

    I love bookstores with new and used books.
    I love bookstores with hide-a-way places with comfy seating
    I love bookstores with cats who will sit on my lap in the comfy seating (sorry Victor)
    I love bookstores with knowledgeable staff who can steer me to great authors.

    My local Library had a ‘Sip & Swap’ event last month. It was basically a happy hour and people brought in books to exchange. it was so much fun.

    There was a bookstore in St Louis which was just mysteries and suspense novels. Their tag line was ‘Cops, Spies and Private Eyes’. Sadly it closed but the owner never steered me wrong. I found so many non-mainstream authors through him

  502. In our town there is a store with a separate cat area called the Kitty Cafe where you can sit on a comfy couch and cuddle cats that are up for adoption from our local humane society. It is a win on so many levels. The cafe averages 2 adoptions per week.

  504. This is so exciting! I love bookstores that have resident cats, such as Abraxas books. Good selection of both used and new books. Helpful, friendly service. If you want to serve food, beer, and coffee, Portsmouth Book and Bar does it well. Whether coffee is served there or not, a place to set one’s cups is essential! It can be hard to peruse books whis trying not to still hot liquid everywhere, at least for me!

  505. Oh yay! I’m so excited for you. Comfy chairs, waterfall (not too loud), cats, fake fireplace, fresh flowers (tho maybe not because of the cats), visitor’s log, nap room with cats, shoe cubbies so we can walk around in our socks, spiral staircase, chalkboard wall……

  506. YOU GOT THIS!! I vote haunted Victorian with lots of rooms and big chairs and overstuffed otters. Or overstuffed chairs and big otters. Don’t care. A few cats and some surprise (albeit, quiet) animals should roam around to keep people company. No muzak and it has to smell like a bookstore, but that may happen when you fill it up with new and old books. The smell, I mean, because no muzak happens if you don’t have muzak. And maybe designate one of the parlors (because it’s Victorian) as a craft room with tables and lights and chairs and colored pencils and crayons and paper and crafty books. The craft room should smell like markers and glue, though. And have authors come in and talk to people and read from their books and sign them and other author-y stuff. And also have local stand-up comics come in and do shows sometimes at night so the ghosts can laugh and not get cranky and bug the patrons. Patrons can attend shows, too. OH! and at night, leave an audio book playing so all the books don’t get lonely in the dark, and the ghosts can listen to books because they might like to read but can’t turn pages any more. I don’t know nearly enough about SATX to recommend a place, but I know how to get there from here in Austin.

  507. Hey! I am from San Antonio, I live here again now after traveling the world. I found your blog years ago a few months after you began posting when a friend reached out to me and told me she found my blog. I was really confused as to how you and your husband have the same conversation mine and I do. It was amazing.

    Anyway, My favorite book store is the BookSmith in San Francisco. They recently sold it, but I strongly suggest you check it out as you start your venture. Independent book store culture is alive and well in SF and SA is ripe for a comeback.

    Why BookSmith was the best and is still damn fucking good:
    1) They curate the best and most unexpected books. some are older titles, most are new, but all are beautiful in some way. They do not cater to cheap coffee table books. you want to just dig in to new topics new genres. seriously, going to learn about their curation process is really a good idea.
    2) the room feels bright approachable and fun. they do a great job in their sister store the bindery –which has a stronger theme.
    3)the mix of products (pins, local art, fun book bags and odd bits) enliven the store with out being boring or not book enough (like barns and noble).
    4) the local flavor is really strong. honestly the best thing about sf was how each book store catered to their neighborhood.
    5)fun events! before they sold it, Booksmith did dramatic readings by local artists of fanfic. each month had a theme from a beloved book and 5-6 stories all read by the same person. to this day little house on the prairie is my favorite, but they did animal house, wurthering heights, all kinds of books.
    6) the window displays each month engaged me immediately. they were fantastic, had a strong theme, but the way they included books in the theme was playful. and books were always the center
    7) amazing community events and readings from people you never heard of and could not stop reading
    8)obsessive focus on diversity and inclusion allowed all of this to work at the high level it worked.

    I think there is another SF book store you should look at too. Borderlands is a community supported genre book store. they nearly went out of business when their community chipped in and donated enough for them to buy a store in SF and rent while it is renovated. that is a huuuuuuuge achievement both in making a community and in terms of funds raised. (I for instance refused to move from a neighborhood i did not like because i wanted to stay within walking distance of booksmith). You should def talk to these stores.

    For san antonio, I think you need a space with room for a cafe or bar if possible. I think a successful book store here will be super well curated, have a mix of fun products and amazing books and become an institution for hanging out. I see a place I can drink a cocktail while browsing the store in the eventing or after brunch. nooks are always preferred by bookstore lovers as they feel intimate. what a place to hear readings from guest lecturers at gemini ink or local poets? local goth artists giving a talk or on display? I don’t think it has to be huge, just well curated and have spaces to feel tucked away. And as always an old victorian preferably with an infestation of haunted otters is preferred. maybe even near first friday.

    I have super strong feelings on this, but then I spent $300-500 on books each month when near book stores. since moving home, my budget has had great relief due to the fact that so few Indie book stores meet my needs here. PS. please read the coroner’s lunch. it is a delight.

  508. If I lived near you, I’d work in your store for free. I love this idea!
    You should offer beverages, have cozy spaces, and maybe a webcam so those of us who live 800 miles away can be part of the group too.

  509. If you’re going to feature furry friends for us to snuggle whilst we browse may I suggest you work with a local shelter to help find homes for animals in need? It might be a great way to make dreams come true … for your shoppers and the animals.
    Good luck with this. I’m so happy you’re living your dream!

  510. What a fantastic idea! It sounds wonderful. As for the store itself, I agree about having some character. If you ever get up to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, you might want to check out Munro’s Books – it’s often on the list of top three bookstores in the world. Basically, it’s in an old bank, with creaking wood floors, beautiful ceilings with hand-painted banners, classical music, friendly staff and an amazing collection of well-curated books. (link to the website is here: https://www.munrobooks.com/?q=h and no, I don’t own the store or work there. It is just my favourite store ever.) Your vision sounds even better – with the writing space, etc. – although I am not too sure about ferrets. Because…ferrets. Sending you lots of encouragement on your brilliant, wonderful idea. Go go go!!

  511. CATS! A used/rare section especially for art books. The smell of coffee or tea. Comfy chairs. Artworks from local artists for sale. I also like the idea of a free section that people could donate to. There is a cool place in Baltimore called The Book Thing where all the books are donated and free.

  512. My favorite Bookstore is Books&Books, it’s local a bookstore here in Miami. They have a few locations around the city now but the main/original store is so cozy and inviting. The wooden floors creak softly while you wander around. It’s in an old historic building and it feels like home.
    I am so excited for this, now I need to finally visit Texas!!

  513. Not sure if this has been mentioned but I think if it’s going to be YOUR bookstore, it must have the wonderful “terrible” taxidermy that you love. Plus if you add in real pets it’s creates an exciting game of “real or fake?”

    I also believe cats are a wonderful idea

  514. I love it!!! The best bookstores to me have a couple of comfy coaches or chairs to sit back in and start diving into a book with a cup of tea. I love my bookstore for the simple little Keurig type machine they offer. $1 a cup. Perfection! So excited for your new venture!!!

  515. How exciting! You will do an awesome job! Everything you described sounds like a haven for us bookworms. I can’t wait to visit!

  518. When I was younger we had a bookstore in Sarasota called Main Books. It was in a storefront on Main street and they had ugly mismatched armchairs that they’d collected from second hand stores and about five cats and someone was always making tea. And sometimes the books would end up stacked in piles along the walls. I’m not sure who did it, if it was staff or one of the customers, but someone built a fortress in a corner out of books.

    There was a fire, the cats were all okay but the books were not. The building had to be gutted and there’s an interior decorator there now. I miss my bookstore. I hope you can give something just as beautiful to San Antonio. Tell Victor that cats are absolutely vital to bookstores.

  519. Key to a good bookstore – comfy chairs and dark (ish) quiet corners

  520. OMG so exciting! I had to stop reading the great comments but know that I agree with all the fantastic suggestions. My worry wart nature is surfacing though and I’m afraid it will be so popular that it becomes too much for you and you walk away! ☹️
    So please have an escape plan before starting this incredible adventure…we need you too much 💜.
    Rather than tell you about my fave bookstore in Chicago that closed I’ll refer you to my current fave in Eugene OR:
    Tsunami Books. One thing I didn’t see mentioned is being some type of community center. I think this happens naturally but you need to allow space for it in planning. Tsunami even has small local musical groups perform in their space.
    GOOD LUCK JENNY!

  521. I am so, SO spoiled to live about 15 minutes away from Powell’s Bookstore. What makes a good bookstore for me is couple of things coming together:

    1) Good coffee/tea and comfortable chairs. Chances are when I buy a book, I usually want to sit down and read at least a bit of it right there — I tend to go book-shopping with friends and I usually finish before they do so I’m waiting while they’re finishing up. It makes book shopping as a social event SO much easier and more comfortable.

    2) Author talks / readings. I feel like they’re the beating of the heart of a bookstore, and I’ve discovered a ton of authors I’d have never met by stumbling onto one.

    3) Quiet ambiance. Loud, echo-y places are uncomfortable and I just want to get out quickly. Sound dampening can work wonders in making a place more welcoming and make me want to linger.

    4) This might be a harder / less intuitive one, but special days or times that are “quiet times” for people who get over stimulated. Lights turned down a bit, music off, and the employees giving more space for those on the spectrum where going out can be very overwhelming.

  522. This is a fabulous idea! Yes to book store cats/dogs/ferrets….any non-bity squishy pet. Big fat comfy chairs and a full bar (or whatever) and chocolate cookies (or whatever). I’m in Austin and I’ll drive to SA to see this and support this. I prefer a haunted Victorian mansion but whatever you need to do. Could we also have a haunted Victorian mansion we can build and add on to while visiting there? I am so envious of the one in your home and also the great pirate ship chandelier-can we get one for the bookstore…or more than one? I LOVE THIS!

  523. My favourite bookstores remind me a lot of libraries – places to hang out, learn crafts (maybe), play games or puzzles, places to sit and read a chapter or two.

    And kid spaces that aren’t dedicated to ebooks and toys. There’s lots to be learned with books other than stories and reading (ie: respecting property)

  524. I worked in a offshoot used bookstore that had chain connections (it’s complicated to explain here). What worked: STRONG customer service (recognize the regulars, pay attention to what they’re reading, keeping it offbeat – sorry, Victor, it does work; big-time store organization (labels are just the start); offer some kind of repeat customer discount, appreciate the teachers/educators who come in). What didn’t work: lack of management (if you don’t know how to manage, hire someone who does); minimal staff (our place lacked a lot of capital, so the owners reacted by not hiring staff – never skimp in this area); rentable room space; certain types of rewards/exchange programs; not keeping track of inventory; not researching the store’s location before opening; clean/working bathrooms; and not embracing the online-selling world as a side money-making gig. I absolutely loved working in this bookstore, despite its many problems, and I have never been as happy in a job. I wish the same for you! And I mean it – reach out if you have more questions. I’m more than happy to share additional info with you, so email away.

  525. Your ideas all sound great, I probably won’t drink a margarita. I would buy a glass of wine and would really support complementary coffe.

    Wild Rumous bookstore in Minneapolis is amazing and has animals (cats, chickens) wondering around, ferrets, birds in cages and a fish tank in the bathroom mirror and I love that place!

  527. Please come to Dallas and took a look at two fantastic small independent bookshops–Wild Detectives in Bishop Arts, and Deep Vellum in Deep Ellum.

  528. Perhaps a non-judgy spot for all us new readers who have childhood trauma from reading horribly boring books in school. At 25, I have only take up reading this year and I am through 8 books already. My unemployment may have contributed to my new found reading abilities, but it took me a while to figure out what my ‘type’ was. Apparently, sailor-mouth, non-fictional books which help me feel less alone with my anxiety was it. Perhaps you could have a selection of books which would help us nervous readers find what is meant for our reader brains. From experience, standing in a library or a huge bookstore is overwhelming even with all my breathing techniques – it usually results in flatulence. I usually exit with nothing, or a book on Canadian history which I never open. Help us!

  529. This. This would get me out of the house. I would move to San Antonio in order to visit the store again and again. It sounds like marvelous magical bookstore. In fact, that would be a pretty cool name for your store.

  530. For location, consider the usage pattern. People who happen to be walking by? Just coming from something? On their way to something? Will the store be a destination, visited only or mostly by people who have heard tell of its awesomeness?

    Also neighbors matter. If you’re next door to a party store, you’ll be a children’s bookstore.

  531. Yes!!! My favourite ideas from the comments:
    1) People know they can sit and read for a while, in a cozy hidden spot! Places for writers too.
    2) a seperate section for book trade or discounted traded books
    3) COFFEE
    4) decorated with your taxidermied animals or dollhouses etc., make it unique to you!
    .
    I will now have a reason to visit san antonio! Excited for ya!

  532. If you have a chance check out Magic City Books in Tulsa. It’s great. Has a great board of directors. Does all sorts of events at the space and in community. Could be a good layout for yours. Good luck!

  533. bookstores need a cat. A fireplace is also nice, but not 100% needed. Also because this is you, and your bookstore we are talking about, a display area for oddities, and interesting things people give you. Again, knowing you, myself, and some of the mental health issues we both deal with. As much as dim and cozy might sound appealing. Lots of sunlight might work better.

  534. At the bookstore here in Katy (Texas) they have staff picks that they change every so often. Each staff member’s name is on a card and underneath is a stack of books they love. It is great because you can see their style through their selection and if they chose a book you read and enjoyed, you probably will like the other books they suggest.

  536. Best bookshop by far is Chicken & Frog in Brentwood, Essex, UK. It’s for kids mainly, but it’s everything a bookshop should be and the owners are awesome.

  537. Oooh, this is awesome!! That is basically my dream job. I’m envious. That might actually get me to go to Texas.

    Some of the best book stores I’ve been in (and I’ve been in a LOT) have loads of squashy chairs so you can plop down and thumb through books to see if you want to buy them. They ALWAYS have cats (so there, Victor). They are warm but not too warm. Comfy-warm. They have little nooks where the esoteric subjects are hidden away. They have lovely ladies and men who know JUST what book you’re looking for and can recommend ones that you didn’t know you were looking for. They have stacks of books waiting to be shelved and piles of inviting tomes on tables around the shop. They have coffee and tea and lovely sweet treats. They host reading groups and knitting groups and have trivia once a week. One of my favorites is called The Montague Book Mill (Books you don’t need in a place you can’t find) and it’s heavenly. Although I don’t think they have a cat.

  538. Please come to Dallas and visit two fantastic small independent bookshops that I think are along the lines of what you hope to create: Wild Detectives in Bishop Arts and Deep Vellum in Deep Ellum. Both have curated collections, and both have a wide range of events and activities.

  539. I am flying to San Antonio for the grand opening just so you know! I am so excited! AHHHH!!!! I would love to see you have it in a haunted Victorian mansion but I realize that may not be practical. I will say, I don’t love ferrets, cats yes – ferrets not so much.

  540. Ok. You may get this comment more than once because something glitched. Anyway, I worked in a offshoot used bookstore that had chain connections (it’s complicated to explain here). What worked: STRONG customer service (recognize the regulars, pay attention to what they’re reading, keeping it offbeat – sorry, Victor, it does work; big-time store organization (labels are just the start); offer some kind of repeat customer discount, appreciate the teachers/educators who come in). What didn’t work: lack of management (if you don’t know how to manage, hire someone who does); minimal staff (our place lacked a lot of capital, so the owners reacted by not hiring staff – never skimp in this area); rentable room space; certain types of rewards/exchange programs; not keeping track of inventory; not researching the store’s location before opening; clean/working bathrooms; and not embracing the online-selling world as a side money-making gig. Be careful with accepting used trade-ins – that can be extremely complicated (we did it, so I should know). I absolutely loved working in this bookstore, despite its many problems, and I have never been as happy in a job. I wish the same for you! And I mean it – reach out if you have more questions. I’m more than happy to share additional info with you, so email away.

  541. One thing that I always look for in a bookstore are employees who read. I’ve gone to several bookstores and tried to talk about books and just get a “I only work here” kind of look. Livestream events would be so amazing! I always love seeing author events at bookstores and have an autograph bucket list of authors. I will gladly order books from there, I live in IA so it’s a bit of a road trip but I’ll support it in anyway I can.

  542. Good coffee. Quiet spaces with lots of comfy chairs. An eclectic book selection. Cats are totally fine IMHO. I will come down just to visit this place.

  543. Looks like San Antonio is about to get a whole lot more international tourism! I would totally go just to visit your bookstore (I’m in Australia so loving the idea of the web component of your store!). For me, the best bookstores are the ones that surprise me with the books available – not just your run of the mill chain store set of popular books and ‘for dummies’ non-fiction section. There was a place I stumbled into down here where every book was something I hadn’t seen/read before and I was in heaven!

  544. LEGO table- not a train table. There are never enough trains and kids will show up so we have to accept that and that we can’t put our kids in cages. (Not saying we would! I love all four of mine- but you know, we want to hang out in peace- so LEGO in bulk from eBay)
    And a satellite location in New Zealand because I love you and your people. 😁

  545. Love this! Must have for book shops: couches, cats, lamps, and interesting art!

  546. Congratulations. I’m less surprised and dazzled than I am “Well, of course this is the next thing.” I suggest a mall with immaculate turbo-good plumbing and parking for the crowds. Also that you do like Apple and grind the landlord into nutmeg over the price of the rent as you will bring in business and they know it. The “vintage” comes in with the big, overstuffed arm chair that Neil Gaiman will need to sit his Gandalf-looking self into to read from his latest books. PS pls check out his 90-minute guest spot on the Tim Ferris Show podcast as he talks about “Good Omens” and it’s fantastic.
    The real-estate website I love to look at is Loopnet and this place on Broadway looks appealing https://www.loopnet.com/for-sale/3/?sk=f64a90f762bd09710859386a0370d147&bb=5397y-muuJrsmj57iC
    You will need a wall space for James Garfield and it’s time for me to write to you again about the merch store for the Miracle b/c now you can support one. Have a look at the fabric samples I sent you awhile back.
    I’m supporting auditions for store kittehs! Though Hunter is not going to like his human coming home smelling like strange.

  548. Yes! YES, YES, YES, YES, YES!!!!!

    [Have been reading you silently for ages, have been cheering you on silently for ages, I needed to scream this out loud now though. ‘A good bookshop is just a genteel black hole that knows how to read.’ – Terry Pratchett]

  549. I just swooned and wished for the first time in my life that I lived in Texas. All your visions sound wonderful and doable and I can not wait to see them come to fruition. xo

  550. Omg yes!! This sounds so amazing and you are going to be amazing doing it!!

  551. I live absolutely nowhere near San Antonio and have only ever been in that city one time in my life but let me throw all my weight behind the rambling Victorian with cozy chairs – friendly ghost a bonus, though not a requirement for me. The children’s library where I grew up was essentially that (with the old clawfoot bathtub stuffed full of stuffed animals to lounge on/with as you read picture books), and it was the BEST library I have ever been in. I actually cried real tears, as an adult not living in my hometown anymore, when they added on to the “adult” library and moved all the kids and YA books over there. The old house is still standing and is a little tea room now, which is lovely, but not full of books. And I know you’re talking about a bookshop and not a library but that’s like 1 degree of separation honestly.

  552. Wonderful! Have you read Jenny Colgan’s Bookshop on the Corner. Librarian goes to Scotland with a bookmobile in a van, changing the lives of everyone around. It could be research!

  554. If Larry McMurtry can run a bookstore, so can you!!! This sounds AWESOME! Fantastic idea. And at least one shop cat, please!

  556. Why on earth would anyone that doesn’t want to snuggle with a ferret be allowed anywhere NEAR this magical place?!?!?

  557. Location location location! Nice atmosphere, parking nearby, food nearby, lots of inducements in the area for people to be walking around and stopping in. Look at Books books in Coconut Grove Fl (written up in the NY Times last week) for a good example. I liked that store.

  558. Wonderful! So glad you are going for it. My favorite bookstore has a plush carpet throughout and is therefore very quiet even if an activity is going on in a group space. In Denver, where I live, we have a coffee house called Denver Cat Company that lets adoptable kitties roam the shop. It makes for fun window shopping. I’m unfortunately mostly allergic to kitties so I can only pop in for a sec and maybe pet them if I immediately wash my hands right after.

    Coloradans love their 4-legged friends and in addition to more than 100 certified therapy dogs, placed their first therapy cat in service at the airport last year. https://people.com/pets/therapy-cat-denver-airport/

    Create what you want and they will come. Best wishes but you won’t need them!

  559. What a great idea! My favorite bookstore is Square Books in Oxford, MS. It’s old, has wooden creaky floors, lots of ephemera along with great books, a veranda, and a tiny coffee bar. You can sit outside and watch the work go by or you can grab a comfy chair and just be. Good luck to you!!

  560. So excited for you to open your dream bookstore! And I must say that I would like Victor’s vision, but I would practically live at your vision! You go girl. We’ll all support you 100%. This is awesome!

  561. I vote for lots of cushy chairs. As someone who can’t sit on the floor (I could, but would never be able to get back up again), lots of cushy chairs would be lovely!
    And if Victor is worried people don’t want to be around animals, perhaps have the place divided into place for those who don’t like being human. (meaning they don’t want to snuggle kittens) And to those who are human.
    What ya reckon?

  562. Has to have an independent, affordable coffee shop with comfortable chairs and tables bigger than a dinner plate.

  563. Will the cats/ferrets/otters be a part of the emotional support animal corner or in addition to the emotional animal support corner? I love it all! PS Don’t listen to Victor, this has to be all you!!! Love you Victor, ….all you Jenny!

  564. This is so exciting!!! I love indie bookstores. I live in Miami and my favorite is Books and Books. There is always so much going on. I especially love all the authors that do talks/signings and the themed dinners put together monthly by a local chef. I see your shop in a cool, old house with lots of your personal touches. Can’t wait to visit!!

  566. This is so exciting! Please consider opening it in Boerne instead if San Antonio. We desperately need a bookstore like you described!! Pretty please!

  567. I’m crying. Literally crying – tears of happiness and excitement and fear all for you. The happy, excited tears are pretty straight forward. The fear? Well kind of odd I know but as someone who has recently made a huge ass change in my life to follow a dream I know it’s scary as all get out but soooooo worth it! You will make a phenomenal bookstore owner and host! I hope you enjoy every scary second and pat yourself on the back as much as you can because you deserve it! xoxoxo
    -sidenote: I’ve only been to San Antonio once and my god I loved it! Now I have even more reason to come visit again. Looking forward to hearing all about the progress you guys make 🙂

  568. Congrats on being brave & badass! My suggestion is to have staff wear something that says “If you need my help, please ask or wave…or make some weird, awkward signal for which you will not be judged. If not, I will leave you the hell alone. Enjoy the lovely books!” Or you know, something similar. Best of luck to you!

  569. That would be the most awesome bookstore ever. I agree with you about the space. It needs to be old and full of books and crannies. There definitely needs to be food, I think high tea with tea and scones and clotted cream. And a window full of puppies and kittens that you can snuggle with while you’re shopping and reading and eating. I’m so excited to see how this unfolds!

  570. Yesss!! I love you! My favorite bookstores are used bookstores (I almost never buy books new) have cats, and a coffee shop/ bakery. Can you have cats and a coffee shop/ bakery?

  571. I now have a reason to go back and visit San Antonio! <3 I’m a writer, and SUCH a reader. I would LOVE this book store. <3 Can there be coffee? And chocolate? And on hard days, whiskey? Cats are a plus! Ferrets too! But maybe a cat-free room for people with allergies? I love you to bits!

  572. Cats yes, ferrets no.

    Because it’s you, I think there needs to be little vignettes behind the books in places. Like your little house, but on the back of shelves. People would spend all day touching the books. But maybe they’d see something they aren’t expecting.

  574. My favorite bookstore is Left Bank Books in St. Louis. It has a resident cat, strong sections for LGBT, feminist and other hard to find books. Your description of your ideal store makes me want to move to San Antionio and work there! My suggestion is to have local writers do readings and book signings, not just well known authors or big sellers. Congratulations on working toward manifesting your dream.

  575. Personally caffeine and big comfy chairs are my favorite in any bookstore, but also the most interesting time I had shopping in a bookstore was a Barnes and Noble that had a liquor license! My girlfriend and I sipped wine and perused the shelves and had an amazing experience. We all know any bookstore you create will be phenomenal and I can’t wait for it to open so I can make my pilgrimage to see it!

  576. I am THRILLED! My only suggestion is to be closer on the north side because I don’t want to drive that far into SA… Or, bring that weirdness to the Hill Country! We need it!

  578. My favorite bookstore is Book People in Austin. The elements of a bookstore that I appreciate are 1) employees who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about books who are also friendly and not intimidating to talk to, 2) plenty of spaces to sit within the stacks while browsing, 3) a cafe with tables and plugs (bc my ancient laptop can’t hold a charge), 4) coffee, pastries and breakfast tacos for purchase all day long, and 5) a regular rotation of book-related quirky things – book recommendations, events, gifts, etc.

  579. Margarita bar? I’m in!

    Maybe have at least one of those cool Sputnik-style drop down type ceiling lights, too.

  580. I love bookstores that have overstuffed,comfy, chairs where you can put your feet up, sip yummy drinks, and read your book in peace. And are free of body odor.

  581. This is such exciting news! Please consider opening it in Boerne rather than San Antonio. We desperately need a bookstore like yours! Pretty, pretty please!!

  582. I can’t think of a place, but please make it towards the North side of town (IH10 corridor, IH10/1604….I dunno….somewhere between 281 to the east and 151 to the west. Oh, and outside 410. (Now I’m gonna go scouting for places!)

  583. Things I love in small bookstores:
    1. a place for local musicians to try out their material (maybe even a store piano for anybody to play).
    2. Evenings with some local journalists to talk about a topic of the day/week/month
    3. At least one big comfy chair
    4. Spots for the kids to read
    5 Good social media presence with a good events calendar
    5. Definitely at least one good ghost (or at least a mediocre one with personality)
    6. Squeaky floors
    7. Dominant smell of books
    8. Employees who love to read

  584. I’m so excited for you!! Yippie Skippie!!
    So, my favorite bookstore is The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ…what you’re dreaming of doing, sounds kinda like them…..but yours sounds more intimate & personal! Author events & book signings, etc! I’ve seen Diana Gabaldon a couple of times there, years ago!

    I LOVE your idea of a margarita bar and petting critters!
    Best of Luck!!

  585. “Strap-On Chest Ferrets” is now the name of my new indie folk/goth band. Thank you.

    ALSO, bookstores of the type you describe are what will save us all. Bring what your gut tells you, and this will be a venture that will feed many souls, whether in a strip mall or in a spooky, stately relic of a home. Good for you!

  586. I love the old Victorian with everything that makes you you… the people that will love and flock this joint will not be the ones in a mall in the part of town! Make it unique and undeniably you! Fill it with creepy cool and scary dolls and taxidermy… but I will say coffe and baked goods would be amazing adds.

  588. All of my favorite book stores have at least some ability to sell books back or trade them in – I love the idea of recycling but also it makes books more affordable for people. I also love when they have old mugs to use or BYOM and reusable bags!
    One my favorites has a paperback section that is curated completely by people bringing stuff in to sell for 75% of cover price store credit.
    Also please have lots of science books and maybe a website so those of us who are far can buy things?!

    Best of luck – you will crush it.
    Xoxo.
    PS I loathe ferrets. Sorry 🙁

  589. hmm. Not from TX, so not sure how this would work for you, but I love reading outside. So a sidewalk cafe vibe or a courtyard with nooks to read and listen to birds and clink icy drinks.

  590. Jenny — Of course, I think it is a brilliant idea! That’s because I opened my own bookstore 22 years ago and I’m still running it today! I had a long-term career (25 yrs) in corporate America before this but retired and went to work for myself. I moved 1200+ miles to a small town and I’ve never looked back.
    Yes, develop a sound business plan, be prepared to change it, remember it’s a huge commitment every single day…if you can, find that old house…I moved my business after 6 years in a strip mall and moved the whole thing with the help of my customers, into a 100-yr old house. All the rooms are filled with books and until recently, a resident cat (no ferrets). I’m still loving and living my dream and never look at it as “going to work” because I’m surrounded by books and friends and neighbors every day.
    Victor may not like my encouragement but you only have this moment to make a difference for yourself and others….although your books do just that each and every time someone in need opens the cover.

  591. Wow!!! How about some nice, quiet, instrumental, maybe classical, music playing softly in the background?

  592. Ohhhh, I haven’t been to SA in decades. But with a Blogess bookshop? I’m so there! You’ll never get any writing done – you’ll be tripping over us groupies as well as fending off your animals. A new series for Instagram: writing with cats & groupies.

    Cushy chairs with footrests. Coffees and teas. Hushed atmosphere. Tables to spread out on. Nooks. Crannies. Ferrets. Cats. Dogs. Oh, maybe a shelter-cat affiliation, so if a kitty naps on a reader’s lap, the reader would be tempted to adopt said kitty?

    Good parking. Close to charming hotel so we out-of-towners can walk from charming hotel to fabulous bookstore!

  593. I like the idea of using an old Victorian, because the ONE suggestion I had as I was reading your post was: creaky floors. Odd, yes, but it was an endearing feature of The Book Barn, which is where I got to pick out a new book if I got good grades. (it was not in a barn, just an older building)

  595. I’m not local, but I will absolutely come visit! It is so hard to write our dreams down or to say them out loud. I’m so excited you told us so that we can support you!

  597. Used books, used books, used books! It’s one of the reasons I love Powell’s so much. If it’s something I know for sure I want to read, I won’t hesitate to buy new, but if I’m just browsing and not sure something is really for me, having a used copy for $10 instead of a new for $16 usually seals the deal.

  598. Oh yes, a wonderful idea. Now, do either of you know how to operate a business?

  599. I love the idea of the old Victorian. With comfy chairs, lap cats, ferrets in chest carriers, and no judgement if you just need a quiet corner to read and drink coffee.

  600. I am so excited for you. I would totally love to do that too but live in a poor location for that. I always thought a small, intimate shop would be ideal. With shelves of interesting books, with a checkout counter that melds with the decor, and a comfortable set of chairs and couches that invite people to sit and linger…and just maybe have one of those margaritas.

  601. Enough light in the stacks that older eyes can see the print, a few comfy chairs that invite you to stay a little while, and, more than anything else, employees who are themselves passionate readers. If they don’t love books, they can’t really keep me coming back. Of course, I’m also counting on a steady stream of “creative decorations” that your amazingly creative eye spots at garage sales and 2nd hand shops. (Oh – As much as I love them, I’m terribly allergic to cats, but since I’ll be visiting online, that’s not an issue for me.)

  603. Yes, old house. Creaky wooden floors. Used books, too. Coffee cups from random people and places. A reading nook with pillows. Yes, bookmobile. Yes, raspberry donuts. An introverts’ reading nook with heavy velvet drapes that close. A mural that is wonderful in some way. (There was a shop called Enchanted Cedar in Lorena, TX that served organic drinking chocolate (and also drinks that tasted like dirt and were good for you—please don’t do that). And it was painted joyful colors inside and had a beautiful mural. A sea turtle if I remember correctly. And your place should smell bookly. Like old library books, my grandpa’s basement, and sandalwood. And it should have shelves in improbable places.
    Can’t wait to visit. Not an April prank?
    Cheers! A-C

  604. I don’t suppose the bookstore in Harry Potter really counts, does it? Although my hometown DID used to have a bookshop that had books above the doorways and those awesome library ladders. I’ve worked in a few small ones, and I know it’s really hard to turn a profit. BUT I wonder if there’s a way of having a sort of cover charge, that’s redeemable against any purchase. This is going to sound stupid, but bear with me- I live overseas, and the gas stations along the highway all have pay toilets. But you get a little coupon for the station, for .50 off any purchase, and you can save them up/combine them. I know the idea is to encourage people to linger, but I’d use the hell out of a place that put my cover charge towards a book. Or margarita.

  605. I absolutely love all of your ideas! Especially live-streaming events since I live in a different state. My favorite book store has new and used and has comfortable sitting areas so you can browse all you want – I would definitely hang all day if there was a margarita bar, cats and ferrets! Best of luck to you on this adventure!!

  607. This makes me so happy….and I dont live anywhere near you. But it might warrant a road trip when the happy cat/ferret/donut bookstore comes to fruition.. because it will. I am happy for you and proud of you and cant wait to see this magical store. I always lean towards the odd, unique, or even haunted when it comes to shops but I am sure it will be fantastic no matter the location!

  608. Congratulations! What a great idea! Also, you’ll need lots and lots of comfy chairs! I picture this like a Mercantile/Pioneer Woman deal but way better and more avant-garde 🙂

  609. Oh, and another suggestion – somewhere near the colleges around town will probably get you better traffic. (UTSA, SAC, etc). But make it UTSA because it’s closer! 🙂

  610. A Giant Chalkboard in the window so you can write your important questions/thoughts to the community. For instance “All Strap On Chest Ferrets Must Be Immunized” Or “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Moby Dick was all about sperm and making robes out of whale penises and it is considered a classic.” Or “When in doubt, Pretend You’re Good At It.”

  612. I grew up in New England. Interesting bookstores are a thing there. Ones that stick out are a used book store in Boston that had at least one dog and at least one cat. It had old victorian furniture. You had the feeling that the animals actually ran the shop. There was also a book shop in Newport RI where the back wall had a floor to ceiling bird cage full of small birds. My kiddos would like to add bookstores that have kid spaces, Treehouse book shop in the UK has a treehouse and Walden Pond in Oakland CA has a kid space that is difficult for adults to access but kids LOVE. Did I write too much? Sorry. I really like books.

  613. I only visit San Antonio twice a year for conferences, but I will definitely be making a visit during those trips!

    Great bookstore things: snacks, comfy chairs, if you’re making a place for people to hang out and eat, used boardgames to play while you’re there.

  614. I didn’t know I needed this in my life until you said it. I will be there with bells on! I’ve never been to San Antonio but I think it may be time for a visit… hell maybe I need to move. I hate being cold. Missouri weather sucks.

    Anyway, great idea. I’m sold!!!

  615. I am in CT for school, and we have a book store here called “The Book Barn.” The main building is my favorite. It’s two floors of books, and they have a little pamphlet that introduces the CATS! They have six cats I believe, who wonder the property, ( it’s a big-ish area, they have a few buildings that are different genre’s of books in each building. They also have goats, but I digress) snooze in the nooks throughout the store (there are cushions/chairs/recliners that the cats claim” and interact with the people. I personally love the idea of having animals in the shop, and totally support it. I’d love to visit one day!

  616. For me, definitely cozy stuff. all the cozy! I’m a big fan of shelves that are super cluttered with different size books, where the shelves may or may not match, and there are nooks in between in hidden spots to sit and read a couple pages… Also, cats. The local bookstore to me (RIP) used to have cats sunning themselves in the window, and even when I couldn’t visit, they were a bright spot in my day!

  617. My favorite bookstores are the ones that are laid out like a maze, so I can get lost.

  618. Main Street Books in Davidson NC is the absolute best, because of the wonderful staff, the amazing books they stock, the fun events they host, and their beautiful connections to the community.
    You should totally get a copy of Bibliophile by Jane Mount—there are dozens of small independent local bookstores profiled and illustrated (plus hundreds of books and genres and char eaters, it is seriously the best research/inspiration source for this).

  619. This is AMAZING NEWS!!! I live in the San Antonio area and I can tell you we do not have any kind of bookstore in the Universal City/Schertz/Selma area! I know there is going to be a lot of space near the new IKEA but that will definitely not be Victorian 😂 Just a thought about the area though!!!

  620. A bookstore with people who won’t talk to you unless you really want them to is perfect! I’ll have to stick to the online version, when it happens, since I’m allergic to cats. Not allergic to ferrets so that’s still possible.

  621. I love every aspect of it. Libraries and independently own bookstores have been my home away from home since I was little. Even though I live in California, I will find a way to visit. I wish this was 2 years ago when I was in San Antonio for a conference.
    My favorite independent bookstore was “Mystery and Imagination”. It’s owners had to close the brick-n-mortar down 🙁 because of rent increases but are still online and at book shows.

  622. Awesome!!! My favorite bookstore in Santa Barbara, The Earthling , RIP, had a centrally located fireplace, surrounded by comfy, armchairs and sofas, a self-service coffee/tea/hot chocolate bar, cookies, with a tip jar for the coffee, a resident dog, and free community movie nights of vintage obscure films. There would be frequent poetry readings, and a story time area for little kids. Should there be a Little Library for exchanging older books? There would be rotating art exhibitions for local artists. One of my favorite things to do in a real bookstore is peruse the greeting card area, for artist made cards , weird/funny/kooky cards, in other words, cards that are not made for mass consumption. Calendars for good causes: for instance, sexy firemen of San Antonio….You’re going to kill it!!!

  623. I love a good bookstore that has relaxed atmosphere to browse and sit and read and wander the selections and read some more. All this takes time so I would suggest … toilets.
    I can feel a trip to USA coming on – when my flight lands from almost 30 hours flying I want the airport to have signage pointing me in the right direction!
    Good luck with your venture, Jenny & Victor. Your shop will be amazing.
    PS. Please don’t put this wonderful store into a mall that’s cold and impersonal.

  624. What I love best about local bookstores is employees who legitimately love books and are excited to help customers if they seek it, and no credit cards or memberships being pushed on me at checkout. I love cozy ambience, quirky selections, and community involvement. Guest speakers and local authors who come in to present something cool or read parts of their books. Artwork on the walls. Overstuffed armchairs and a small café. Best of luck to you, Jenny. You and Victor are an unstoppable team of awesome and I know you’ll rock this. <3

  625. Oh My SWEET GOODNESS! What is the housing market like in San Antonio? Can we buy a 3 bed 2 bath 1500 sqft home for under 1M? Because I am going to fly to San Anotnio from Boston, where I live (and can’t find a 3 bed 1.5 bath where all the bedrooms actually have closets for under $950K) just to visit your store. I’m going to make it a girls weekend, at least two different times with two different girlfriends. But ultimately just moving there seems easier.
    OK. My requests:
    1. Lots of smutty vampire romance
    2. Your books, of course, and make more coloring books
    3. The ability to print, while reading in one of your comfy chairs, a frame-ready print of a beautiful piece of writing
    4. Therapeutic ketamine clinic in the back room\
    5. Consults on my writing, graphic designing and presentation style from any willing participant
    6. The chance to talk with you person to person, if you are so inclined
    7. A non-skeevy Air BnB nearby? I would SO come here for a weekend away.
    8. Consider making it a fragrance free oasis- no perfume, cologne or scented handsoap since they are such common triggers for migraines (including mine)
    9. The amazing and open community you are working to create!
    Big Hugs and I really want this to come to fruition!!!

  626. Definitely the haunted old building! Also, the two best bookstores in the world (Powell’s in Oregon and Tattered Cover in Denver) were ruined for me when they added Coffee. I couldn’t smell the books anymore. Beverages and snacks are a draw but do something like tea and cookies. Books smell too good to be masked by burnt coffee.

  627. Totally go with the haunted Victorian house. You can have haunted dark moon parties where you can win books if you live through the night. Like a book survivor lottery.

  628. OMGOMGOMG!!!!! This is SO EXCITING!!!! CAN I MOVE IN??
    Bookstores, big comfy chairs, margaritas and snuggly animals!!!! Perfection!!!!!!!!!

  629. I vote haunted Victorian for sure. Nobody wants to go to a bookstore in a newish shopping center, duh Victor. I also vote for at least one shop cat. My son’s favorite gaming shop has a shop dog (a fluffy little thing) and it is sooo much fun. At the very least, I vote you partner with a pet rescue and feature photos of cats/dogs/ferrets/whatevers waiting to be adopted.
    My favorite bookstores have had big poofy chairs, a used/trade section that has no organization at all (I’ve found some treasures that I would never have known about if they’d been in their proper “section). Soft music and owners/employees who love books and know what they are talking about (I think you’ve got that covered).

  630. I love this!!! My favorite bookstore was Walden Books, not sure if it was a chain or not. They sold books and cigars. I love the smell of cigars, reminds me of my grandfather. Whenever I bought a book it had that smell. This will ROCK!

  631. I love love love Antigone Books in Tucson. It has most of what you describe and is in a funk part of town. So excited for you!! Can’t wait to visit the shop!!

  632. I love this idea so much! Libraries and independent bookstores have been my home away from home since I was little. I will find a way to visit even though I live in California.
    My favorite independent book store “Mystery and Imagination” had to close their brick-n-mortar store because of high rent but they are still online. Even so I miss stopping by, browsing, saying hi and so on.

  633. Wonderful idea! So glad I live in SA!!
    Not a mall. Not Alamo Heights, but probably more downtown, like in the “newer” Liberty Bar area. I know as a few future regulars we are holding our breaths! Do it!!! Build it and we will come!

  634. All my favorite bookstores have book related STUFF. Socks and totes from Out of Print, wonderful greeting cards, a coloring book section and supplies, etc. Some of the best have have small press authors who use them as a base. (Like Edward Gorey with the now defunct Gotham Book Mart.) Animals are a no brainer.

    Oh, by the way, Happy Ferret Day!

  635. I’m completely in favor of all of this but especially the otters! I wish you amazing success!

  637. I don’t know what Victor is talking about, I’d prefer a bookstore with cats. I’m not sold on the ferrets though.
    My favorite bookstore is overflowing with so many books that there are stacks and stacks of them on the floor because they don’t fit on the shelves, and that makes me happy.

  638. I run a book club and the “theme” is wine. … As in “Bring a bottle of wine to share” and we drink, talk about our current book, drink, talk about life, drink, then tell each other how much we love each other until we are ready to fall asleep. It is amazing. BUT it takes place in my living room. Maybe if you had a cozy space that book clubs could rent out for their meetings and drink wine and eat snacks, I would be TOTALLY in love. Like, big fluffy chairs and a fire place? And then you could require them to only choose between the books in your store. 😉

  639. My current favorite bookstore is Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown, WV. I’ve attended signings there and I have lost myself in the stacks of used books. Stacks of books and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere are a must. I think the second comes naturally to your brand so all you have to do is obtain books.

  641. This sounds like heaven. My town has 2 (yes, 2!) Indy bookstores, one sells new books with an emphasis on mysteries (hence called The Raven) and one sells used books (hence called The Dusty Bookshelf). They BOTH have resident cats who alternately greet and ignore customers, so hell yes, CATS! And there’s a record store in town that also has cats. But I digress. I would totally do a road trip to come see your bookstore. Be sure to include some taxidermy!

  646. Jenny you are awesome. This is so going to be amazing. No pressure though, it’s just that whatever you do will be amazing because it’s you and straight from the heart. Also you need some sort of door knocker or ‘Open’ sign that says knock knock, motherfucker.

  647. I LOVE THIS!!!

    I live in Ojai, CA, and our best, and only, book store is Bart’s Books, which is this awesome bookstore that’s inside a converted house, but it’s also open to the air! All the books are protected, but it’s outside…totally awesome. It even has a tree inside!! It sells both new and used books, but mostly used; it even has a book exchange, where you can bring in your used (in good condition) books, and get credit towards others!

    In my opinion, a good book store would allow dogs – WELL BEHAVED DOGS – and have a coffee shop (to go along with your margarita bar. I have serious OCD about catching things like lice from soft public chairs, but I know other people like that stuff, so I could wear a hoodie. Lol. Please make sure to have a section for animal books of all kinds, and maybe do dog/cat/bunny adoptions on certain days!!! Ohhhhh and a food truck day!!!

  648. oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!! You are living my dream girlfriend. I have always wanted to open a bookstore like the “Shop Around the Corner” in “You’ve Got Mail”. I wish you so much luck and success and if not the ferrets, you have to have at least a couple of shop kitties.
    And to anonymous going to school in CT. That’s where I live and yes, the Book Barn is the BEST!

  649. That sounds amazing! You could host launch parties so that authors can sit a drink wine while they stress about their book launches and maybe sympathetic strangers can drink wine too and buy a book. 🙂

  650. My god, yes. Please let us all know when your dream opens! How absolutely exciting, and I will make the pilgrimage to Texas to visit! Please go for the creepy Victorian with cool little books for people to read/write!

  651. I had NO IDEA you were in San Antonio!! I’m a native and thought I had been worshipping you from afar, and here you are! I love the book store idea, and agree with all the suggestions posted. I do cat rescue and love the idea of helping them out at the same time. I have a realtor friend/rescue buddy who knows a lot about the historical home market and might have some good suggestions. Can’t wait to hear more about this wonderful project!

  652. I love a bookstore that has write-ups by staff who have read the book, along with “if you like scary lesbian novels, you’ll love this” or something like that. I’m kinda picky about my books, and sometimes they randomly have a theme that you wouldn’t have seen coming. For example, Stones from the River/Son of the Circus. Both great books, both have dwarf characters. Did NOT see that coming.

  653. Now I want to move to San Antonio, when Texas was never in my bucket. Ah. Surprise ferrets. They are ALWAYS surprise ferrets. And they are beautiful. Who wouldn’t love to baby Bjorn them? They sleep like 20 hours a day, seriously!

  654. That sounds fantastic Jenny. The ideal bookshop where people can go to mingle or hide but feel comfortable. Delighted for you, it will be a huge success 🥰

  655. I’m in my office trying not to jump up and down in my chair. So excited for you.

    Things a bookshop should have
    1) Over sized comfy chairs
    2) minimum 2 cats and you could even have a Cats Corner
    3) This is said with all the love in the world but based on your fantastic artistic side please dear god hire a bookkeeper immediately. (The accountant part of me is highly concerned for the corporate side of this dream). Remember taxes and payroll

  656. All of your ideas sound amazing and I wish you were opening up shop in my hometown!! SOOOOO very excited for you!!

  658. I think it is absolutely wonderful that you are going to open an independent bookstore. We have 2 left in our city. The others are chains (Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million). My favorite was a little independent bookstore in a strip mall. I can’t remember the name of it, but it had a little Owl with glasses as its logo. It was a fairly small store. Just a few long aisles inside. But I would go there all the time when I was younger and spend hours sitting on the floor looking through all the books. The bookstores I go into now, I just plop my butt on the floor and pull down a book and start reading. It is how I came across your book. I do love the smaller bookstores. They are more cozy and homey. These large chain bookstores are nice, but too much like a Kohl’s. It is difficult to find books in these stores sometimes.
    Oh, be nice if you had pillows at the end of the aisles where you could pick one up and carry it to the aisle. Or have soft lounge chairs/rockers to curl up in and browse through the books. Decorate it with your taste: your dolls on shelves above the bookcases, your miniature houses. You must have Hamlet Mouse or the Raccoon as a logo.
    You might want to have a specified table for books that are free, to be traded/swapped or readers recommend. Though that may be hard to keep track of.
    Sorry, this sounds like a rambling mess. But I think it is a fantastic idea. The world needs more bookstores!!!!

  659. Congratulations!!! Hugely exciting! Here is a link to my favorite bookstore in Cleveland, Loganberry Books http://www.loganberrybooks.com/about/ very cool space, oriental rugs, leather chairs randomly about, wood floors. Can’t wait to see what you come up with- whatever it is, I know it will be fantastical and amazing!

  660. My favorite bookstores all have both new books and old books commingling together.

    Also, Victor knows nothing. The bookstore needs at least one bookstore cat.

    I love that you’re wanting to do this. I wish you every good thing in your endeavors!! ❤️❤️❤️

  661. See if you can rent space in Victoria’s Black Swan Inn on Holbrook Rd. It’s haunted, they say. Also, there was a bookstore right on Broadway by 410 that just closed, but it is in a great location. Comfy chairs, places to chat about books, it sounds amazing!

  662. Shop cats and surprise ferrets and a margarita bar and awesome books sounds perfect to me. Too bad you can’t bring the bookmobile to Ohio.

  663. OMG, this would be wonderful! I can only imagine what a great place this would be. For me a great bookstore HAS TO have store cats, comfy chairs for browsing, a little gathering place for author events or book clubs. It should also have just a hint of a library smell. . . old books.
    While I’m sure your bookstore wont be in my neck of the woods, I will guarantee I will visit and purchase an armful of books when I come to town.
    I agree with Sakthi ^^^ a “knock knock motherflucker” open sign and an enormous chicken is a must!

  668. I would love this and I think our ideas about the space would be very similar (totally haunted and victorian with a fireplace and comfy chairs and coziness) but for one thing: If there is a shop cat, I will not be able to come. I am profoundly, highly allergic to cats and all the things that would make me feel right at home in a small independent bookstore I wouldn’t be able to do if a cat lived there. So, maybe, in the interest of accessibility, maybe a cat- (or perhaps ferret-) free space within the bookshop might be good? I love cats, all animals really, but I know I am not alone with the allergy issue, and I would want to come there, and would want everyone else to be able to, too.

  670. What a great idea. Do. It. My town (Santa Cruz, CA) used to have this awesome indie bookstore called Book Cafe, which had a coffee bar and lots of bookish gifts. Sadly, it closed once books became more widely available on the internet. But I think there’s this resurgence of interest in these types of places. Places where we can build community and share creativity.

  671. This is SO EXCITING!!! You’re going to love everything about owning your own bookstore. I miss mine so much. I never made any money, but it was the absolute best job I ever had. And it was never about the money, it was about the books and the people who love the books. Serve coffee/food. Congratulations!!!

  672. How about an online book club for those of us not local? Perhaps run through an FB group? Just a thought! I think you’re gonna be great at this!

  673. I totally vote for the haunted Victorian. One of my favorite bookstores is the half price on broadway. I love that it’s in an old house. The same is true for the Landa library on Shook Avenue. There also used to be a mystery bookstore off of avenue B called Remember the Alibi which was also In an old house, although it was much smaller. They all have the most amazing vibe and feel so welcoming!!

  675. I live in Brookline, MA. Brookline Booksmith is my favorite book store ever! It’s independent, has all the latest, is well laid out, offers suggestions, has a gift area, chairs to hang out and read in, a used book cellar and a writer’s series. It’s a welcoming place with a great vibe.

  676. the perfect bookstore has:
    a good mix of new and used books (bonus if the shop also BUYS books, or gives store credit for books).
    has coffee as an option, even if it’s just an airpot of french roast or whatever.
    lots of squashy seating to sit and read
    character (i’m with you on the haunted victorian aesthetic).
    a shop cat
    and all of the other things you have mentioned – this sounds fantastic, i really wish i still lived in Austin so i could pilgrimage down!

  677. Oh my GOSH! I can’t wait for your dream to come true. Now my dream is to have an author event for my yet-to-release unicorn book at your store so that it can officially get the Unicorn Success Club stamp of approval. I would be 7-year-old squealing-giddy. Yay to dreams!

  678. K. Imma need to move to San Antonio now so I can live in your book shop. Really though, comfy chairs are always in short supply most places. Butts get sore and need soft spots with good back & arm support.

  679. This makes me so happy!!! Especially since my sister lives in San Antonio, so I’ll have a reason to visit! I love old, used bookstores. There’s one in the square of Denton TX that’s been there for ever. It has several floors. That’s my ideal bookstore. But nothing with automatic moving bookshelves to save space: when I was in grad school I used to have nightmares about having panic attacks in the library (because I couldn’t find what book I needed) and passing out and then being crushed to death by the moving bookshelves.

  680. This is so AMAZING! I’ve always wanted to own a bookstore, AND I live closeish to San Antonio!! I can’t wait to day trip your store!!! Totally agree, making it public, give accountability, and pushes through crippling anxiety. As a fellow sufferer, I will be sending all good woo your way while you embark on this fabulous adventure!!

  681. Book stores are indeed magic, and yours will be the most magical of all, I’m sure. I love the idea of at least one or two cats but I’m a crazy cat lady so I say the more the merrier! Your description sounds wonderful, but I’m not a fan of the strip store idea (sorry, Victor). Something more cozy and inviting would be my choice. I have a friend in San Antonio and your bookstore would be one more reason for me to visit!

  682. I would love to see books on display with not the covers showing, but a specific passage pointed out (maybe with post it notes?) that really gives a feel for the book. Whenever I tell people to read Lets Pretend This Never Happened, there are certain passages that I share with them that I know will give the right feel for the book and that will draw them in.

    Also, if I was local I would love the author events!!

  683. This is my pipe dream too! It fills me with such glee and hope to see somebody else doing it! I love cozy little spots to read and love love the idea of a bookmobile. After becoming a mom one of my favorite things about bookstores is cozy little sections for kids to explore and play.

  684. If you do this I am flying to Texas from Alaska for the SOLE PURPOSE of visiting your bookstore. I might even hide out ala The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, but you can’t know because then it’s not hiding. Unless bookstore sleepovers are allowed. <– IDEA

  685. Definitely a haunted Victorian ! Can’t believe you’d even consider anything else .

  687. This will quickly become a destination bookstore – much like the Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma that is filled with her beloved ranch dog ornaments and magnets – but your bookstore better be filled with bizarre taxidermied animals and metal chickens and dish towels with inappropriate verbiage. And books. There will be books. And chai tea lattes because I don’t drink coffee. I’ve tried. Don’t judge me.

  688. Your ideas sound cozy! Comfy chairs are a must! Just don’t make it too modern, I like the feel of a well-loved library rather than slick and new.
    I’m sure when I see some pics I’ll wish I lived there.
    Good luck!

  689. Um – there’s no mention of puppies or tea. And I don’t live in Texas, so that’s a problem. Otherwise the plan is sound. 😊

  690. I’ve always dreamed of a bookstore that hosted introvert social functions where everyone could make their own blanket forts and wear pajamas and also signs that signaled how much social interaction they desired. Also there would be messenger cats roaming around and you could attach little notes to their collars, which would then be received by whatever random person the cat went to next.

    For years I have wanted this. Messenger cats are vital.

  691. If I ever make it there, I’d leave little dinosaurs and other tchotchkes around the shelves for them to interact with.

  692. Look for a Victorian house with a turret so you can have a round reading nook with padded benches all around the windows and comfy chairs in the middle. And cats! Victor is a great guy but he’s wrong on this one. You definitely need free range cats. And maybe ferrets.

  693. If anyone can make a go of this, it’s you — but please know it’s a TON of physical labor, bookkeeping, meeting with buyers, cleaning, adhering to health and safety regs, doing returns (the biggest pain, IMO), PR, maintaining POS systems, and marketing. Also, it’s a constant struggle to hire experienced book people who don’t think it would be fun to sit around and read all day and chat with customers. I don’t mean to sound negative — it’s just that it’s a very full time job that — sometime doesn’t have a lot to do with customers or reading or promoting writers you love. It’s very gritty.

    Signed, a career bookseller and buyer.

  694. I imagine the bookstore you create will be the most fun, creepy and interesting thing going. So excited for you!

  695. Are you looking in the middle of San Antonio or in some of the surrounding smaller areas that everyone says “I’m from San Antonio” but it’s just outside of?

    If you have a book store cat, it may be neat to work with a local rescue or shelter and have one perminate one and maybe a foster program if you guys get enough traffic? Since I know animals is part of your heart.

  696. Kudos!!!! Sounds fantastic!
    A suggestion: Make the stacks only about 5 feet tall (except for the ones against the wall). That way, parents can keep an eye on young’uns across the crowded room, without having to walk a lot and lose their place in the stacks. Also, it makes the area brighter and lighter, easier for old or weak eyes to see.
    A now defunct local shop called Davis Kidd had such a layout (also stacks placed diagonally), and I miss it!
    Can’t wait for yours to bloom!

  698. I love this idea!! I love reading nooks in-between bookshelves where you can get lost in the books that you are reading. I think it would be a neat idea if you left notes (on card stock) in some of the books you love or photos of ferrets if Victor does not allow them in the shop. Congrats!

  699. Bookstores need to carry stuffed animals that correspond to the book. (Hungry caterpillar, Olivia, Pete the cat, etc.). Always have a puzzle out. Comfy chairs. Plenty of outlets. Knowledge staff.

  700. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS! I’d love to be able to open my own. Make sure you have a great support team and employees around you.

  701. Bookshelves against the walls, and bookshelves perpendicular to the walls so it never feels like someone is looking over your shoulder.
    Local authors’ space as well as books about SA and Texas.
    A children’s area. But no popup books (I used to work at Barnes and Noble, trust me on this!).
    A used book area, carefully cultivated, where you can buy used books.
    A large metal rooster in a corner.
    Cats? Maybe. I love them, but some people are allergic, so maybe just Sphinx cats.
    Book paraphernalia- bookmarks, pens, bookends, cozy shawls…
    Not so sure about refreshments unless there’s an event happening.
    Make the people who are using your free space tidy up or unpack books to earn their keep, otherwise, it will become a hangout. Or make them prove they’re actually writing something.
    Creaky, wood floors and soothing colors on the walls and shelves, but not too many.
    Chairs are a nice idea, but at B&N people were always falling asleep in them. And snoring. Loudly.
    Magazines, but don’t stock Playboy or Penthouse or you’ll find them on the floor in the bathroom at the end of the day. 🙄

  702. Congrats! I’m another of those people who have dreamed for years of opening a bookstore. So here are more ideas than you probably want to read.

    Not an old building with narrow pathways and lots of isolated rooms: too inaccessible to people with physical disabilities and too claustrophobic
    Aisles with enough room for more browsers to comfortably pass each other and people walkers and wheelchairs to easily navigate
    Partially hidden nooks separated with shelves, not full-height walls
    Natural light and soft, warm lightbulbs
    Books that include characters of all ages, ethnicities, types, genders, and abilities
    A children’s section where books can be reached by kids of the intended age (no The Cricket in Times Square or Diary of a Wimpy Kid beyond the reach of the average third-grader)
    Seating and entertainment to make kids feel welcome and less likely to constantly beg their caretakers to leave, e.g., a train table, a small table and chairs for reading and drawing, and a kid-height window seat
    Audio books and braille books for people with sight impairment and other reading difficulties
    Some titles for adults learning to read or working to improve their skills—or at least a list of interesting choices at different reading levels from the children’s and YA sections (perhaps partner with a local literacy organization)
    A kiosk for people to look up the book they can’t remember the name of, when they feel too shy or all the staff are busy with other customers
    Sadly, no animals—not even cats, ferrets, otters, or ostriches—because so many people are allergic to or anxious around them
    If you sell snacks, some fruit and some dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free treats (not just pastries for “regular” people)
    If you have food and beverages, washable dishes, utensils, and cups for people eating in the store and compostable containers and utensils for to-go items
    A small discount for people who bring their own cups and/or other containers
    A customer loyalty program with small discounts based on the number or cost of purchases throughout a quarter or year
    Of course, kind, knowledgeable, helpful staff members

  703. I think there should be cats. Our town opened Tabby’s Catfe and they have cats there that you can snuggle with and adopt. I think this would be perfect for a bookstore. They are on FB.

  704. Oh, Jenny!🤗 this awesome news, blessings to find the perfect space! My fave bookstore had a handmade crawl space for kids in a corner, it had several levels and openings in different places to go up to the next level. It was in a bookstore that belonged to my second set of parents in Abilene, TX.

  706. Maybe you can hide the ferrets and rescue kittens in the self-help section.

  707. I will officially visit San Antonio for the first time when this bookstore is open! I love bookstores that have those little book tags that give descriptions made by the people who work there–it’s so personal and helps you know what a real live person thought! I also appreciate the occasional chair in case you want to take a slightly longer look at something or just a rest while someone else you’re with is taking forever. I like the children’s sections that are kid-friendly and fun and might have some tiny tables and toys and I think you should model your whole store off of what they do in kid sections, becuase WHY NOT! Also, follow my friend Annell on Instagram who travels around to indy bookstores and shares what she likes about them: @annellthebookbabe.
    You will have a LOT of support for this wonderful idea!!!

  708. squeeeeee!
    I know you’ve got so many comments you will probably never get to this one, but I HAVE to wax rhapsodic about my favorite book shop. It’s actually a gigantic used book store—housed in a pole barn on the outskirts of nowhere Illinois. The Old Book Barn. Forsyth, IL. It is one of my favorite spaces, it feels big and airy, but it’s broken up into little rooms by genre. Every room has places to sit and read and I think they were getting ready to add a little cafe when we moved. I loved that the space was big, but divided to feel cozy and you could just drift and settle all day long!

  709. Congrats! I’m another of those people who have dreamed for years of opening a bookstore. So here are more ideas than you probably want to read.

    Not an old building with narrow pathways and lots of isolated rooms: too inaccessible to people with physical disabilities and too claustrophobic
    Aisles with enough room for more browsers to comfortably pass each other and people walkers and wheelchairs to easily navigate
    Partially hidden nooks separated with shelves, not full-height walls
    Natural light and soft, warm lightbulbs
    A selection of books that includes characters of all ages, ethnicities, genders, abilities, etc.
    A children’s section where books can be reached by kids of the intended age (no The Cricket in Times Square or Diary of a Wimpy Kid beyond the reach of the average third-grader)
    Seating and entertainment to make kids feel welcome and less likely to constantly beg their caretakers to leave, e.g., a train table, a small table and chairs for reading and drawing, and a kid-height window seat
    Audio books and braille books for people with sight impairment and other reading difficulties
    Some titles for adults learning to read or working to improve their skills—or at least a list of interesting choices at different reading levels from the children’s and YA sections (perhaps partner with a local literacy organization)
    A kiosk for people to look up the book they can’t remember the name of, when they feel too shy or all the staff are busy with other customers
    Sadly, no animals—not even cats, ferrets, otters, or ostriches—because so many people are allergic to or anxious around them
    If you sell snacks, some fruit and some dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free treats (not just pastries for “regular” people)
    If you have food and beverages, washable dishes, utensils, and cups for people eating in the store and compostable containers and utensils for to-go items
    A small discount for people who bring their own cups and/or other containers
    A customer loyalty program with small discounts based on the number or cost of purchases throughout a quarter or year
    Of course, kind, knowledgeable, helpful staff members

  710. I love the old bookstores in Philadelphia Pa.. books to the ceiling,some narrow aisle with little ladders to help you with the high shelves.. also some trade in options, and cozy chairs to read if you like. Best of luck to you!

  711. An ever changing selection (weekly/monthly?) of goodies/sandwiches/soups to eat that are HOMEMADE of course! Fabulous coffees and teas along with other beverages but not your run of the mill offerings. I love places that offer out of the box unusual food, beverages and things to buy. I love to browse and buy cards and love to do crafts (which might be ideas for you to include). Cats and ferrets or other animals like hamsters or guinea pigs or bunnies (goats are a ton of fun!) are a must for me as a passionate life long animal lover and comfy chairs-with some that can sit 2 people in them. I have a BFF who lives outside of San Antonio and would be able to visit annually! The best of luck in making your dreams come true!

  712. Just make sure there’s some deal worked out about the HVAC maintenance.

  713. I don’t know if this idea was posted yet or not (there are a LOT of comments!), but my favorite bookstore (which sadly was flooded a few years ago and did not recover) was this little store tucked under the stairs of a building. When you walked inside the smell of books drifted over you and you knew you were home. They sold all the new books up front, but the back of the store was dedicated to used books people came and traded in for either store credit or another set of books to take home. I found some amazing older books that were no longer in print, some even in hardback! I never bought a new book from that store, I always walked straight to the back to see what I could find. Now I really miss it.

  714. Here’s what I’ve learned. I’m a published author, and I work with three local indy bookstores: A college-level nonfiction store, one aimed at mysteries, and a large used bookstore.

    EVENTS. EVENTS. EVENTS. You must have events. They spread the word that you exist among a variety of readers (e.g., all the authors’ fans). They make your store an exciting destination (look on the wall at all the big-name — well, regional big-names — well, three self-published authors no one’s heard of and a poet!).

    But most of all, events will keep you in business. You’ll make enough money in events to keep your store open on the other days when you’re bringing in pennies.

    The mystery bookstore and used bookstore owners told me this. The nonfiction store, owned by a righteous lefty in the middle of a biggish city, has a yearly “book festival” (actually four big-name nonfiction authors) for events. Helps his bottom line as well.

    GET A MAILING LIST. Generally to announce events. They’ll be your loyal customers.
    JOIN A BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION. I’m not sure which ones cover your area, but they’re a great resource for information and advice.
    DON’T EXPECT TO MAKE MONEY, OR A LIVING. JUST HOPE TO BREAK EVEN. One bookstore owner I know also owns the lot and building her store is in. She has volunteers willing to come in and run an event or event a one-day festival. The other hasn’t paid herself a nickle; her husband works elsewhere. She pays her employees, and hopes, within a few years, to start paying herself as well. Oh, and they own the building, too, a rat-infested former auto body paint shop (she fosters cats from the local shelter; they keep the infestation down, and add charm to the store).

    If you’ve done signings, I would suggest calling those booksellers you got along with well and pick their brains.

  715. I am sincerely hoping this isn’t a belated April Fool’s prank, because I will be forced to wish horrid things on your chickens and outhouses!
    However, if you open a bookshop for real, I might finally have a reason to visit America!!!
    The best advice I can give is – design it with a fat person in mind. There is nothing worse than going to a bookstore which is supposed to be awesome, and not being able to move easily through the store. It is bad enough at cafes, but at bookstores?!!! I know selling space is the purpose, but if customers can’t easily pass each other down the aisles and between shelves, it makes it a very unfriendly environment.
    Just my $0.02, and as my new teenager always says – you do you.
    (Oh and it really is not considered “second hand” if you bought it to read it and then sell it… 😉 )

  716. So exciting! You should definitely have a shop cat, I love bookstores with those. All the luck in the world!

  717. A library in Sandwich, NH has a mirror on a stack of old books with the sign “Self Check Out.” Could be a thing.

  718. Suggestion: Please, no pets. I’m terrified of cats and ferrets, and I’m also allergic. I become paralyzed with fear and cry hysterically, in the midst of sneezing and snotting, red swollen shut eyes, and severe asthma attacks. It’s a real horror show! I’d love to visit and get an autograph in person but those are HUGE hindrances.

  719. Oh HELL YES!! I’ve aleays wanted to go to San Antonio and this would be the BEST reason to go!

  720. Totally second that emotion about Square Boooks in Oxford, MS. Hill Country girl here (Fredericksburg, TX) and I’ve been marinating on a book store idea for YEARS! Maybe have a Texas author section with Texas writers who aren’t assholes? And Victorian house of course! Can’t wait!

  722. I love this so much. I will make a pilgrimage for this. I might suggest something in the way of a graffiti wall, or something where we can leave an encouragement for you or for others. You realistically can’t always be there but it would be nice if there was a way we could leave something especially present if we missed you. I love the idea of an old haunted house with big chairs, but I’d visit you in an airport kiosk with tailgate pop up chairs. Either way. If you build it, we will come.

  723. ….. Can I admit that I’m tearing up right now, without it sounding creepy? ‘Cause I totally am. This is AMAZING!!! I checked and double-checked the date on your post in case it was an April Fool’s joke, it just felt too good to be true, Wow! …. When this gets up and running I am totally going to save up to visit Texas just for this bookstore!!

    What do I love in a bookstore? I will always cherish the small cozy bookstores, those ones with too many bookshelves for the amount of space and a smell of books and a warm inviting feeling… Of course nice comfy places to sit is a must, whether to leaf through books or just hang out and feel comfortable in a space. I don’t know what all sorts of books you plan on having, but I love finding random little-known books, ‘niche’ topics that I would never even think to look for but hey look at that book I must read it!

    I am so so so so excited for you. For all of this Tribe, I’m sure this will be an amazing adventure for everyone following you!

  725. Local Artists hand picked by you. Hang their art on the walls for sale. You have great taste. Your bookshop would have an ever changing art exhibition and we could all support local artists.

  726. Hi, I remember a bookshop who had a string quartet play on one afternoon a week–that was kind of great! Also there’s a book I’ve dipped into here and there called Shakespeare and Company which is a collection of stories and memorabilia of a real bookshop, with that names which existed, perhaps still exists in Paris during WWII. It was as you’ve described though it let authors sleep in the stacks and waifs as well. You’d enjoy it!

  727. A coffee bar, really great snacks, comfortable chairs. Cocktail service at adults only events.

  728. Have you read The Little Bookstore in Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch? If not, you will get some great ideas! Her store sounds very much like what you envision, except that Big Stone Gap is in the rural Virginia mountains– knitting circles, rescue kittens, Celtic music jamborees, etc. Hers is a used book store, but still, quite an amazing place! She also has a blog: https://wendywelchbigstonegap.wordpress.com/

  729. I’d love a quiet area. Maybe the basement or attic in that Victorian? Book stores all seem so loud these days, with the cafes and music and kids… I miss my old local place that had a quiet nook with couches and beanbag chairs, next to a window. It was peaceful, but I suppose that’s what libraries are for now. Whatever you do, it’ll be wonderful, I’m sure!

  730. I am excited for you and also with I lived closer to San Antonio! Because I want to go to there.

    I am one of those people who enjoys working from cafes but is also mostly afraid to go outside, but when I do go, I always feel better and have a nice time. Usually it ends of being a Panera because you can usually count on a spot to sit with an outlet and people pretty much leave you alone while you drink pretty decent unsweetened iced tea. But my favorite place to go is this little used bookstore/cafe that has creaky second-hand wooden tables and chairs, and mismatched lamps on tables and no deathly fluorescent lighting. Also you can smell the old books while you work. But you’re not least guaranteed a spot and their iced tea isn’t great.

    So: yay!, homey nooks with tables and chairs creaky floors with soft lighting and great iced tea and lots of outlets for misfits like me who hate being around people except sometimes. I’d definitely want to be at a place like that.

    Good luck I’m so happy for you! I can’t wait to visit!

  731. I like having places to sit and read….also places to charge and workable WiFi….Barnes and nobles kills me because they removed their computers to look for books forcing you to go to customer service kiosk…and their WiFi only really workable by the cashier.

  732. Hey Bloggess,

    I personally would love to see a brick-and-mortar bookstore of any stripe, so whatever you decide, I’m cool with it.

    That being said, a bookstore with a flex space that can act as a performance space, a makerspace, a gathering place, an incubator for STEAM, a marketplace, a meeting spot, a classroom, a pop-up yoga studio, whatever, would be awesome. Maybe a space with its own entrance/kitchen/restrooms so that you could loan or rent it out during the hours the bookstore isn’t open.

    But even if not, a plain old bookstore that just sells books would be swell too. Namaste and mazel tov.

  733. Ugh it ate my last very pithy comment!! Yes please for Jenny’s Bookstore! I love small bookstores with eclectic collections of books and friendly staff that is knowledgeable about the books in store and knowledgeable about how to find more knowledge to answer questions. I will definitely come to SA to visit your bookstore when your dream comes true <3

  735. My favorite bookstore, Upstart Crow, Seaport Village in San Diego. Touristy but still had that old wood/book smell with the quirky items too. Love the oversized chairs and roaming animals as well as writing nooks. It sounds like heaven. Would like an apt above. I’ll be the animal caretaker when the store is closed 😸. Will start planning my move from No. CA to TX.

  736. As a mom, I LOVE when stores have events for kids– book readings, musicians (my fave), STEAM projects, etc. Added bonus if they keep the kids busy enough so the parents can slip away for a few minutes to browse. Also, as a teacher, it always bums me out that a lot of places pause their programs over the summer. I get it, people go on vacation, but that’s my time to do stuff, darn it!
    I agree with those who say that the kid section should be in it’s own area; I think that’s better for everybody.
    I’ve dreamed of owning a book store, so I hope you’ll post a lot about it so I can live vicariously through you!

  737. Awesome that you are thinking of parking needs, but would your store also be near any public transit?

  738. I didn’t have enough patience to read all of the comments, so I’m not sure if anyone else said this, but please have an area where people could learn a craft, a place that could get messy. And a Knitters literary circle. And lots of local artists selling their wares.

  739. Great idea! I’d drive from Austin. Please have a knitting/craft section! With a couple of comfy chairs…

  740. Live cam feed for those of us dying to visit but can’t see it in person.

    So wanted to open my own children’s book store, like the one in “You’ve Got Mail.” Awesome!!!!!

  742. One More Page in Arlington, Virginia! The staff is AMAZING. They have a wonderful curated selection and they offer great recommendations. They also sell wine and local artisan chocolate and small gifts like journals. They have book clubs, frequently host authors for readings and signings, have a monthly wine tasting, and are just all together wonderful and amazing. President Obama once shopped there for Small Business Saturday!

  743. As a small indie bookstore owner I’m a bit prejudiced of course, but I think ALL your ideas are lovely ones. Including the cats and ferrets (given we have a bookshop cat I can’t help but love that part). The economics of running an indie, even with a famous author at the helm still calls for a thin margin of profit, and I want you to be aware of that. It’s the economics of how bookstores run, especially if you use jobbers and not just order huge orders in directly from the publishers (usually 45% or 40% discount if you want to have the option of returning books; 50% if you think you can deal with not returning books). So you see right there the difference in a lot of retail, which operates on 100% markup. I wish it was different, but us booksellers do it for the love, not to get rich.

    I wish I were closer to you and could impart wisdom and share dreams, but you know how to contact me if you’d like. I think with your name behind the store you’ll do really well.

  744. So I have been procrastinating in finishing writing my book (stupid perfectionism anxiety) but I am for real after I write this comment going to get working on it so that it can maybe someday be sold in your store. Because the only thing better than that would be speaking there. So off to write I go.

  746. This is wonderful! I’d like to be able to hang out there and drink coffee. And I’d like a store cat or maybe 10. And I’d like to have story time for adults. It doesn’t have to be “adult” stories. I’d just like good readers to come read to us. Maybe have short story reading all the time so blind people can come and listen to good books and people like me who have a hard time sitting still to read. I listen to all my books, pretty much. And interesting nooks and corners to sit and read in. And and and….I’m so excited at the thought I just can’t type anymore!

  747. I’ve been “working” as a bookstore patron in the background on a television show called “Single Parents”. The bookstore is called the WINEBRARY, and I think they sell more wine than books. I don’t know who the target audience is or what the space looks like onscreen, but I do know it’s a fun show to work, and the store looks legit in person.

    So if YOUR store offers wine slushies and shop cats and shop ferrets and shop koalas and shop otters and at least one friendly ghost, let me know when it opens, and I’ll drive from LA to San Antonio for a week or more to check you out! IRL, even!

    Congrats on this leg of your dream. I can totally see you making it happen.

  748. Comfy chairs and tea and coffee. And you just made my vacation list

  749. I AM SO EXCITED!!!
    good lighting and high ceilings (but some areas can have low ceilings). great children’s section – needs kid chairs in it. Great YA section. aisles need to be wide enough that you can sit down on the floor cross legged between them. caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are a plus but not mandatory. But people have to be able to keep their coffee with them as they come in. Well organized. Well read and friendly staff. (Store cat is a bonus!)

  750. I am coming to Dallas in June. And would totally make a special trip to see your store if you are open by then!!!

  751. Oh Jenny, good for you! I wish you every success. And HELL YES to strap-on ferrets!😂

  752. My neighborhood library (when I was growing up) had a small fenced backyard with a fountain and bench or two. Lovely spot for reading, and other people have reminisced about it (the library has been replaced sob).

  753. First, AMAZING AND WONDERFUL AND ALL THE THINGS!

    What I love in a bookstore is cozy places to curl up, old wooden floors, helpful staff who know where things are, a used section that’s actually organized and fun to browse, and a section of awesome gift cards.

    On a more practical level, a bookstore should be able to compete — at least to some degree — with amazon in terms of getting a book in quickly. That will deter me from ordering from a bookstore over amazon (the horror, I know!), if it’s going to take a week to get a book through a store and only two days through amazon, especially if I’m really excited about the book. If they both take two days, I’ll pay the extra few bucks to support my local bookstore without a second thought.

    Oh, and wine. You should definitely have wine.

  754. I’ve always wanted to open a bookstore/cat adoption place. Come browse books, hang out with cats, and maybe take home some of each. 🙂

  755. Sounds awesome! My only thought is when you’re ready to do charitable things you should reach out to Dolly for advice.

  756. Dream come true! Please have people write short recommendations on why they love a book and and put them on the shelf next to the book. Also, “if you liked this book or series, then look at these titles”. Finally, have you read ” The Plover” by Brian Doyle? There are parts of this book I found so beautiful and touching, I cried. Carry this book. Best wishes and lots of joy! You are enough!

  757. Just by virtue of the fact that in one short day you have amassed 728 comments, it is dazzlingly clear that you will succeed!
    Not the first time I’ve wished we were neighbours or best friends!

  758. I don’t know but if you needed some Kickstarter money for a down payment or something, I would totally pitch in.

  760. I think that you don’t love to travel but Antigone Books on Fourth Avenue in Tucson is similar to what you’re trying to create. Super LGBTQ friendly and quirky and you should stalk them online even if you don’t visit in person. And if you do come you should also visit Blue Willow..a cafe / gift shop that’s not a true bookshop but is wildly funky and cool and also PopCycle (they have vegan taxidermy pieces) and Rosie’s Barket (they have a dog washing station)… your head will be spinning from all the ideas you get. You should carry BlueQ socks and Bald Guy Greeting Cards and you should definitely DO IT!

  761. YOU HAD ME AT CHEST FERRET.
    No, but honestly, it sounds perfect, and wonderful, and I can just see it!
    But of course, now I have to find and excuse to visit San Antonio.
    Ideas: feature bookish related small business sellers maybe? Her Shelves Elves or Frostbeard Studio as examples. And maybe have story time for kids on Saturday mornings or chapter readings on Sunday afternoons…
    Or just make it what makes you happy and I know it will be perfect.

  762. Smells like old books. That is a requirement. Coffee. Fancy coffee not required. Eclectic seats and Bloggess style decor.

    I smell a road trip in my future.

  763. I AM JEALOUS!

    Staff pics on display at a (slight) discount. I will totally buy random books to store and then eventually give away.

  764. This will be amazing. Just like you. When it happens, I’m totally going to San Antonio. I’ve never been to Texas. I like coffee in my bookstores. Not a chain place, something small and quirky with a few baked goods from a local bakery. And comfy chairs.

  765. No ferrets please! I was once attacked by one and I’ve never gotten over it. I recommend big arm chairs and a kid area with really good kid section!

  766. In my own-a-book-store-dream, there are comfy sofas and lounge chairs to curl up in…and coffee…and am attached green house.

    But i think it would be super-awesome to see a chalk boark where you (or customers) could write their reading recommendation for the week. Or a list of happy things or favorite literary quote. Something fun & engaging ?
    Also…i am beyond excited for you!!!

  767. I love the haunted Victorian style idea (and how can Victor not be on board for that? It has VICTOR in the name!). Also you should have a mix of new and old (used) books. A price-point for everyone and there’s something deliciously special about used books! Can’t wait to hear and see more!

  768. OMG… this is so exciting!!!

    And the fact that it will be your bookstore – now I’ll have to come to San Anto is 😉
    I’m sure it’s going to be absolutely amazing with everything you come up with. No… If I was putting together a bookstore, I would have: the most crazy eclectic furniture pieces clumped together that I could possibly find on craigslist or Facebook marketplace. A haunted grandfather clock that announces the hours and half hours, lots of taxidermy animals around… preferably dressed up in Victorian outfits…
    And a niche for first time authors. I know there are a lot of services that allow people to print additions of their own books. Having a corner for newcomers like that would be a really cool thing to have 🙂
    And if not donuts… And at least a giant antique glass jar or a bowl filled with assorted candy right next to the register!
    Oh… And the door
    to the bathroom or the back room should definitely be behind the hidden bookcase 😁

  769. I am so in love with this idea (and TBH a little jealous) and honestly is sounds perfect. I worked at a local bookstore in high school and it was always quiet and she had places to read and didn’t care if you sat and read half a book in the store. She had an amazing children’s section with bean bag chairs to encourage kids to sit and read. My grandparents started giving me a gift certificate for it for my birthday when I was in kindergarten and did all the way through high school. I used to be so careful and try to really think about every purchase to make it last the whole year -this was the eighties and it was usually for $100 which went a long way back then) and if I was really good it might last me theee months. That store is gone now, as are the grandparents, and now I’m crying but it’s because of all the happy memories. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

  770. Your dream? This would be a dream come true for ME! PLEASE DO IT! PLEASE! I am in East Texas, but close enough. Creating the space to embody YOU is what will make it perfect. Don’t you dare listen to anyone else. Let your heart lead!

  771. So like this is literally the most exciting thing I’ve heard. I live right in the middle of Medical Center so I will keep my eyes out as I spend a lot of my time driving around bored and wandering because I got fired from my job a few weeks ago. So I will wander, and I will let you know if I see anything that would be a good space.

  772. 1) Definitely shop cat(s)!
    2) Sell old used books! Like not paperbacks, but vintage and antique hardcovers… the ones that look and smell amazing and just need a good home to be adopted to so they can live out the rest of their lives on a nice shelf somewhere, being loved. Also please price them reasonably, and not like $20 apiece just because old books are trendy. (Can you tell I collect these?)
    3) Can Beyonce be your shop mascot? (The chicken, not the pop star.) I bet people would love to get their photo with her/him when they visit!

  775. So, this is a pipe dream comment. If you could afford to, I would love to see a section of self-published work, even some of the print-on-demand variety. Recently did the self-publishing thing myself, print on demand, and I think most of my sales have come from people who shared their physical copies with friends. Because we like to be able to hold books before we buy them. Smell them. Hug them. Turn the pages (mine’s a children’s book, so being able to look at pictures is important). And it makes me a bit sad my book doesn’t have that option most of the time, poor thing is stuck in the internet dating world. (This is not a plug for my book, fyi, and I know not all self-published books are awesome, but some are!) And now I’m so much more aware of all the self-published gems out there, waiting to be discovered, and wish more bookstores would take the risk of stocking some, if only a few. 🙂 Also, if I’m ever in Texas, I will visit your store and buy books, because I can’t think of a better souvenir 🙂 but I’ll also pretend I don’t know who you are if I see you, because I’d just be far too awkward 🙂

  776. If you have shop cats AND a margarita bar AND an otter infestation, I will totally fly to San Antonio!

  777. Bookstores with creaky old wooden floors and lots of nooks are my favorite! I have never wanted to visit Texas (except maybe to see migrating bats) until now.

  780. I’m in SA. I vote for bean bag chairs and anti-gravity lounge chairs. And I need a place to drop off my already-read books.

  781. I love this! My favourite book store is Powell’s City of books in Portland OR. I love the diversity of sections. I love having new and used books right next to each other on the shelves. I love all the nooks for reading. And the personalized notes from people that work there left on books they love.

    I hope that things go well and that it’s not too much peopleing for you. (I mean that with the most sincerity)

  782. I’m thinking haunted firehouse that has a pole that still works like in ghostbusters. Get an old ambulance to use for the book mobile and that is stocked with free books and project night night bags and driven by librarians to all the poor areas of town. Children’s books in Spanish and all the Mayan languages. Find a good manager so you can write and avoid customers because it can get pretty peopley out there. Build a mini free library out front that matches your building. Also put in a fridge so homeless people can get sandwiches.

  783. I vote for haunted Victorian!!! I love big chairs and cubbies. I prefer old buildings to new ones. A coffee bar would also be lovely!

  784. I am so glad you couldn’t see me feel out over this!! I don’t live close but I could get there in a few hours so I will DEF be visiting!!!

    Also! My suggestions:

    Big comfy chairs (I know you said it but it can’t be said enough)
    Maybe some pretty art works (like the night sky painting of the TARDIS exploding)
    A big cut out of one of the Rory’s (or maybe even a Rory there) for photo ops!! Squeal
    If Victor won’t let YOU bring animals maybe it could be animal friendly so you could meet other ppls pets! Haha! Loophole!!

    Thank you for doing this. Made my day.

  785. Have you picked Ann Patchett’s brain about this yet? Her store, Parnassus Books, is pretty great.

  787. Def stopping by!!! Hurry up and open up! And if you haven’t read “Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap” yet, you’d love it. It sounds like your kinda shop!

  788. Books, margaritas, cats and ferrets?! I am SO in! (Except that I live in New England…)

  789. Holy commemts section, Batman!

    I love a cozy spot to read, the ability to buy an amazing hot cocoa, and something to nibble on.

    Maybe no ferrets because they might try to eat the snacks.

  790. Awesome news!!! Thanks for being such an amazing example of not giving up and following your dreams!! You’re an inspiration for me!! I mean that sincerely! sending you great big happy hugs!

  791. Wow what a great endeavour. I love the idea of bibliocats wandering the store. If you get a Victorian, are you going to put your haunted chair in there too? I agree with others, coffee/tea bar. Maybe save the margaritas for the special events. You don’t want a bunch of drunks spilling drinks all over the books. Good luck finding a place since you will need a football field to hold all of your ideas.

  792. I would travel to Texas just to visit your bookstore. And cats. And margarita bar. It’s like we’re having the same dream except my bookstore is somewhere on a coastline.
    My favourite bookstores have cats and reading nooks, an eclectic selection of books, and like minded social staff. I think you’re pretty much there already.

  794. I’m so happy for you! One of my favorites is an independent bookstore in my hometown, and besides new books they also sell used ones, and books by local authors. They also sell a whole bunch of other stuff like cards, calendars, educational toys, decorative stuff, cooking stuff, etc., and they have a coffee bar and candy. I don’t think you have to sell a lot of stuff like that but some extras would be nice. And definitely have a place for kids to sit and read and play or listen to stories while their parents shop. And personally I would love it if bookstores had kittens and/or ferrets to pet … although a ferret did try to climb up the inside of my pantleg once which was definitely a surprise, but not in a good way. So maybe the ferrets shouldn’t be of the “surprise” variety. Also YES to the margarita bar; that’s an awesome idea. I wish I lived in San Antonio!

  795. That is so AWESOME. Congratulations! It sounds lovely just as you described it. Shirts, you need shirts with the name of the store. I love collecting t-shits when I visit independent bookstores on my travels. Can’t wait to visit.

  796. This makes me so unbelievably happy! I want one for myself!! I’m so sad I live in NC so far from you. This sounds like a wonderful place & I might have to take a vacation to come visit!!

  797. I recently read Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore (HIGHLY recommend), and while I don’t advocate 24-hour anything, I loved so many of the aspects of this bookstore and SO wish to see a rendition of it come to fruition. I. Am. So. Freakin’. Excited!!!

  798. I’m so excited for you! Can I book the bookmobile to come to Detroit?

  799. Definitely go with the haunted house with the otter infestation…and please have cupcakes with really good frosting, not the crap from grocery stores (otters love cupcakes). So that would be my dream book store. Congratulations on this very exciting venture! Also I wish you were doing this in Massachusetts!

  801. Omg! I live in Dallas and will take the trip as soon as you open the store! Victorian!!!!! Also, It would be awesome if you have a section where coffee and pets are allowed. I’m so excited for you!!!!

  802. ALSO (second post), have sleepovers like they do at Shakespeare and Co. in Paris!!

  803. Wow!! I guess the first thing that comes to my mind is to make sure the cats are well socialized with friendly dogs, so that visitors with service dogs won’t freak out the cats. (A well trained service dog will leave the cats alone, even if there’s a moment of surprise on both sides). Because you don’t want cat pee all over such a cool awesome fantastic bookstore. I guess you don’t want cat pee anywhere than a litter box, really…

  804. From what I can see, read, visit, link to, etc, Parnassus in Nashville is the quintessential local bookstore…you probably already follow it, but just in case…Ann Patchett, Mary Laura Philpott , a bookmobile and so much more!

  805. Same as many others (comfy chairs and at least one cat) but also? I think it should have at least a few of your creepy-asses dolls staring at people from unexpected places! And maybe a creepy dollhouse in the kids section.

  806. You definitely need a shop cat.
    And when I eventually get over my self and do something with the novel I’m forever editing or the bunch of other book ideas that are rattling around in my brain you can sell said book.
    I can even visit the shop and the cat, and you of course.

  807. Squeeeeeeee! I’m so excited for you! I’ve always wanted to own a book/ coffee shop! I’m so excited for you and now have another reason to want to live in Texas! I can’t wait to follow along on your dream! ❤❤❤❤

  808. Victor is wrong. You are right. Those people don’t exist. I don’t believe it’s possible ti effectively read our write without the company of a cat or dog or ferret. A lizard or bird would be fine. I would seriously consider relocating for a cubby with a critter.

  810. OMG! How amazing is this news?! As long as you have books, cats, and coffee, I think you’d bank. Also, I think a haunted Victorian would make an awesome bookstore ❤️❤️

  811. I now need to visit San Antonio! What a fabulous leap you are making! Definitely some comfy chairs and sofas and staff picks that are highlighted are great things to have. I wish you much success!

  813. Otter infestations are the best kind of infestation.

    Also may need to one day book a trip to San Antonio.

  815. OMG This makes me so excited! I can’t wait to tell our 6th grader, who loves you nearly as much as I do. I can’t wait!

    Also, comfy chairs & any sort of fluffy critters would be fantastic. Maybe also have therapy dogs (or therapy animals of any sort) come in periodically so people (kids mostly, but some grownups like me would love it) can read to them.

  816. Holy crap, YES! This is a fabulous idea!! Please have bookstore cats and all the things you mentioned. Plus coffee. Can it be a coffee and margarita bar? I’ve never known a ferret, but I will take, on your authority, that I need a few as writing friends. This makes me want to move to San Antonio. Currently very stuck on a writing project and would love to be in this wonderful space to work it out. So excited for you!

    (I never think about coffee because I don’t drink it but I’m definitely noting that it’s needed now. 🙂 ~ Jenny)

  817. My favorite bookstores have all closed (there was a mystery bookstore in north Seattle in an old brick building that I adored) or moved and aren’t the happy place I was so accustom to. However, just as I was grumping to myself I thought, “What about Powell’s silly goose? And the University Bookstore isn’t the most welcoming, charming place on earth but at least you can buy a book there. And Third Place is AWESOME.” I think I’m grumpy because the world of bookstores has changed a lot but your news brings me such joy. I too would love to see handwritten notes on the shelves with staff recommendations. I would love to see “mood” stations – need to believe in love again? here’s a book for you. Need to know someone (even fictional) has suffered more than you? here’s a book for you. Need to leave this earth and spend time in a world so different and thrilling that your heart almost stands still? here’s a book for you. Cats are great. Coffee and snacks are brilliant. Good places to lounge are vital. Places for writers’ groups and book clubs and solitary writers all lovely.

  818. Cats. More than one (call me; I foster infant kittens for SAPA & can hook you up). Great seating for kids and adults. A blackboard on the wall where staff and clients can leave handwritten, personal recommendations for books they enjoyed. Storytellers – like poetry readings, but folks who want to tell ghost stories or true stories about Texas history or funny stories about their mother in law. Reasonably priced art for sale from local artists. Strict policy forbidding cell phones and little kids watching movies on ipads… there is a time and place for technology, but a bookstore is where people go to homage to words written and bound. Which would an interesting name for a bookstore…Written and Bound.

  819. The legendary Book Passage in the SFO Bay Area. People come from all over the world to attend their workshops, conferences and writer ‘meet & greets.’

  821. Being from Portland, with Powell’s – the thing I love most is that they shelve new and used books together. Also, lots of indirect natural light. And places to perch.

  822. Dear Victor, One of my very favorite mystery-book bookshops in the San Fernando Valley in So Cal had a resident cat who would hang out on a window seat. If you were a nice person, he would rub up against you and talk. If you weren’t, he ignored you. The sci fi bookshop down the street (where Harlan Ellison would hang out and subject one’s proposed purchases to scathing remarks) had a lovely old dog. So, see? Animals in bookshops. Totally a thing.

    That said, Jenny, I will fly to SA to visit your bookshop. I’ll drive your bookmobile on days you don’t feel like it. I’m behind you 1000000%.

    A haunted Victorian and yes, to the margarita bar.

    See ya when you open. <3

  823. The crackle of a fire in the fireplace, the smell of old leather, a discerning cat, and a wise oriental man with a long moustache who knows exactly what book I need to read next.

  824. Love it. It’ll be my next vacation trip. Hell, I’d even come help you paint.

    Yes, please on the furries. I’d say have adoptable animals in the store. A store near me usually has a few caged cats for adoption, and it’s always worth a visit. Cats would be great, but adoptable senior dogs are quiet and also perfect for a book store. Plus they’re great greeters.

    And soup. Must have soup.

  825. Your idea is wonderful and I am glad you are going for your dream. You most certainly deserve it. Like everyone else, I already want to visit.

    As far as my favorite bookstores have gone, they have all had used books, either for the entire stock or much of it. It’s not just a pricing issue, although that has helped, but it is more the larger range of books available. I am a huge science-fiction and fantasy enthusiast and many classics in that genre are out of print. Being able to enter a store knowing that a treasure hunt awaits me upon the shelf is an wonderful feeling. Aside from that, comfortable seating is always a plus, particularly of the scattered, hidden variety. Good staff, who are knowledgeable, friendly, and quirky always make it more fun. Overall, I value a general feeling of welcome, like it’s a secret den for book lovers. Oh, and a small webcam in one area just so those of use not near Texas can peek inside in envy.

  826. I really love used books, so maybe have a used book section. The practical reason for this may live in the need for books for kids that have to read them for class. But really I love used books bc they have the spirit of the last person who read them. You see tear drops on sad passages and food spills on pages where someone was reading on their lunch break. Dog earred pages showing where someone chose to stop for a bit. Highlights and underlines and notes in the margins noting what wasn’t important to the previous reader. And if lyiuve ever picked up one of my old books you may just find a brownie recipe in the back. They’re the best and everyone should make them. They’re especially handy when the “I just finished a book” sorrow sets in. So yea…:maybe have a small but important used section.

    Other than that, please provide coffee either for free or for purchase. Coffee, much like books, is life.

    Jess
    ShambleFest Podcast

  827. My best friend and I did a fake business plan for a bookstore our senior year of college and always hoped we could do it for real one day, so this is amazing! Great bookstores should have soft couches and chairs and yummy snacks, where you feel like you have a place to go hang out and meet friends when you just don’t want to be st your house anymore. A mix between the coziest local coffee shop and the most amazing library. Good luck! I wish I lived closer so I could come visit!

  828. Cozy, quirky spaces with tilty stairs and narrow aisles and hidden nooks all make for delightful bookstores. BUT (big but coming …) those are also all the very same design features that often make it nearly impossible for people with various mobility issues or people with other kinds of disabilities to frequent … to enter, maneuver and shop, hang-out, etc.

    (Good point. I’ll keep it in mind. ~ Jenny)

  829. I’m guessing someone already posted this, but we have a fun local kids bookstore with LOTS of animals. We love going there. My 15 year old says you should have chickens, cats, dogs, lizards, but no birds besides chickens. 😛 https://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/

  830. I do have some advice. A local friend opened a book store in our mall but the rents were crazy high. She did a lot of book clubs and other things that were great. She was busy She tied into local college and different groups to lead different book groups. She got prepublished books and we had a club to read them and share about them. You can make it.

  831. I love the idea of shop cats (even ferrets), great big chairs, big Victorian, and friendly ghosts! I live and work in the DC area, but my job travels and you have just made it a necessity for me to find a reason to take our training to San Antonio next year! I have not been to a small, independently owned bookstore, but I can see an old Victorian filled with different reading rooms – full of books and chairs and table to set coffee, tea, water, or whatever you want to drink.

  832. Oh,my goodness.A Blogess bookstore? Within an hour of my house? Is this a belated April Fool’s prank?
    I hope there will be coffee and snacks. Amd fluffy critters? And books?
    Dreams do come true!

  833. Shop cats, definitely shop cats. Wish I lived near San Antonio!

  834. I definitely think you’ll need a spot to get tea, coffee, and scones or other delicious baked goods for people to nibble on as they read. And you might think about adding some YA books, because being bookish is not only limited to just adult books. Also, I think that you’re amazing and that this is an incredible idea!

  835. Grow costmary in window boxes so people can pick a traditional bookmark. The large leaves are not only pleasantly scented but also deter paper-eating pests.
    The botanical name is Tanacetum balsamita and it has many common names.

    (This is so cool. ~ Jenny)

  837. I personally think a combination of bright, lit up areas and dark nooks could be quite nice. And having pets there would be wonderful! Whenever I go to our local bookstore, there are only a few comfy seating area’s, which is unfortunate.

  839. My very favorite independent book store is Northshire Books in Manchester, VT. It’s full of books and crannies and a great place to spend a few hours. This world needs more book shops!

  840. I’m in California but I just came here to say that this is such a wonderfully incredible awesome plan and I love bookstores so much. You rock, Jenny!

  841. You definitely want a haunted place, a nice grandmotherly ghost vibe would be fun and she also might leave cookies for you on the counter. I’m against the otters strapped to the chest but think bringing in some rescue cats who need homes could work wonders for everyone. Congratulations on being brave and keeping words and ideas in front of people – such important work. Thanks.

  843. Brilliant!! I’m leaning towards the old Victorian – haunted or not.

  844. A Barnes & Noble by my place started selling wine and beer and it’s the best thing ever. I also like soft places to sit. B&N used to have soft chairs in between some of the book aisles, but they took out all the chairs years ago and they’re dearly missed. Good luck with your venture! I will visit the next time I’m in San Antonio!

  845. I am so incredibly jealous! This is my dream too! I only wish we weren’t do many states away (Michigan). I love, love, love this idea! I look forward to seeing the progress. I love any bookstore. Comfy seating areas, maybe a hot chocolate bar (not a coffee drinker). Also, maybe an area where you have gently used books, maybe people could bring theirs in and switch out with other used ones, just an idea. You go girl!

  846. This is so wonderful! I would be a nervous wreck and never get such a splendid idea as this working. My, oh my, aren’t you clever! Please have old, good smelling books in your shop. Nothing can compare to the smell of an old book. Praying for your strength 😇

  847. Since I’ve never had any personal interaction with a ferret I’m neutral on the ferret issue. Powell’s Books (in Portland, Oregon) used to send out a great blog written by their resident cat. Seems he and his friends had many interesting adventures after the store closed at night. I like book stores to have a used book section because I only like to read real books (printed on paper) and I feel less guilty about killing trees if I buy them used and recirculate them after reading.

  848. I go home to San Antonio about every other month and I can’t wait to go see your bookstore! My husband loves you too and will be so excited.

  849. I love the online ideas. Please do them and I will attend in my pyjamas from Australia. I work in a bookstore and the essential ingredients are staff who are passionate, articulate and voracious readers; the little shelf labels with handwritten 2-3 sentence book reviews, and good music playing (we have classical, instrumental covers of pretty much everything from LOTR to westerns). Also please consider themed book clubs, a baking club sharing food and discussing cookbooks and food writing is so much fun!

    (Love this idea. ~ Jenny)

  851. Sounds amazing! My favorite thing about my local bookstore is the mix of new and used. Sometimes I’m poor and can’t afford a new hardback but still need a book to lose myself in and forget my anxiety. Books are important!

  853. Congrats! You’ll be the perfect book store owner. I love old book stores, and I gotta tell ya, I really, really, really prefer USED book stores. The new books seem to be what publishers want to push upon the masses, but used book stores! Ahh, anything and everything that has been written up to this point in time can be found — or at least, ordered. So please, you need, at the very least, a small corner of used books. Whew! I’m glad that’s off my chest!

  854. Comfy chairs and lots of varied events – drop-in book clubs, author events. Also, well-curated collection and little recommendation cards on the shelves.

  855. I love almost every book store I’ve come into contact with but my favorite ones are those that have a cosy lived-in feel, plenty of comfy places to lounge & read, areas specifically for small readers & adolescent/teen readers, and have local goodies (handmade cards & bookmarks, book themed jewelry, art prints, etc.) for sale.
    Something that would be SUPER cool would be if you could find a space where you had a an opportunity to create an outdoor-courtyard-garden-ish reading area. Just imagine Beyonce (or her twin) hanging out, being read to, listening in as friends tell stories about their favorite stories.

  856. I would love to help support you in this! Do you have a Kickstarter or GoFundMe page?

  858. I’m a Texas girl living in Seattle, but I will plan a trip home just to come to your shop! 😊 Congrats on this big, scary idea! Love it!

    I actually have a lot of ideas. Sorry….

    My favorite bookstore ever was Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston. It’s a teeny tiny indie store. Very small with very nice people. And they covered the white walls floor to ceiling with signatures, quotes, and drawings of all the authors who came to visit. That place was special.

    And I vote the haunted Victorian route. Find a cute spot with lots of character in a nice part of town and people will come. No one wants to go to bookstores for the commercial mall experience. People will travel for good books and a great space. As long as they know you’re there.

    And a little cafe of some sort is always a good idea. If you can’t lure them in with books, do it with food and drinks!!! Be the margarita bookstore! The crazier the better.

    I already wish you’d come build one of these in my neighborhood!

  859. what make a bookstore great..
    – coffee corner
    – a couch or two
    – a weird book corner .. you know.. for really weird stuff
    – a comic corner / pen&paper books / stuff like that
    – and books.. looots of books .
    and a lovely person who love books and can help me to find something I never know that it exist, and I can’t think of a better person to do that than you Jenny. It will be good and I am a little sad that I never can visit you there.

  860. You are a perfect human being. And I love you. Please don’t give up on this dream. You and all of us deserve this space. ♥️

  861. You stole my dream, Jenny. Give it back! I always wanted to run a bookstore but life got in the way (and lack of funds).

    How about putting it in a quaint house, maybe an unhaunted Craftsman vs a haunted Victorian? Have the rooms contain different types of book. Children’s in one. Travel in another. Memoirs in some cozy alcove. Cats galore, and maybe a golden retriever. Ferrets are optional.

    I love the idea. And I’m so happy for you. Let’s do this thing!

  862. I had a favorite bookstore in a little nook of Portland, OR called Annie Bloom’s. I was a very loyal and good customer, though I only buy books as gifts, or if I think I will loan them to friends or read them again myself. Otherwise I check books out of the library, because otherwise my house would need to be big enough to be a library. Your bookstore sounds literally better than Annie Bloom’s, which is saying a lot, as they do have author readings, comfy chairs, and a cat who likes to shcmooze. But one year, when my kids were big enough, that I wanted a part-time job, I asked the proprietess if she had any openings.
    “Do you have any bookstore experience?” she asked. I said no, but that books were my life since my brother taught me to read before I was in kindergarten, and that I had a BA in reading (actually, Literature), and an MA in writing (specifically, poetry).
    She said, “Yes, but do you have any bookstore experience?” I said I had lots of customer service experience selling things I didn’t care about, so I was avid to sell something I did care about.
    She said, “Yes, but do you have any bookstore experience?” And I said I volunteered three half-days per week at my neighborhood public library, which meant I worked with every book, old and new, of every subject or genre that flowed through the neighborhood.
    So she said, “Yes, but do you have any bookstore experience?” And I had to say no, not specifically.
    Then she said, “Go work at Powell’s for a couple of years and then come back.” (I trust everyone who’s ever been to Portland, or bought books online knows what Powell’s is.)
    I felt so dis-empowered and small after that conversation that I didn’t shop at Annie Bloom’s again for many years. But I began browsing there from time to time, and have several times sold another customer on a book, or alerted the staff to ones by local authors that they should order.
    Why am I telling you all this? Because I want you to have an open mind about your each and every customer, no matter how great and powerful a bookseller you may think you have come to be.
    And I’m terribly sad that, even if I come to Texas, I won’t be able to visit your literally awesome bookstore because, sadly, the unique aroma of ferrets makes me very queasy.
    All the best of luck and love of books and their readers and writers.

  863. This sounds beyond amazing and I’m so freaking excited!!! I don’t care where in SA you open up..I will drive my happy ass over from New Braunfels to help support your store 😀
    I love the idea of furry shop friends and book clubs and I especially love the idea of potentially getting to hear you read a chapter of your book.

  866. art and film magazines that one doesn’t usually see would be wonderful. there was a used book store in new orleans that closed a few years ago. great vibes. old and dusty with great magazines. i loved going there. so maybe a used book section of esoterica. so thrilled for you. and definitely old victorian!

  867. It needs a fireplace and comfy chairs. Window seats would be amazing. When I walk into a bookstore, I want it to feel like going home. It’s nice to be with people but sometimes you want to be with people but still feel like you are by yourself. That’s why I think it would be really cool to have nooks to hideaway in. Whether you are digging deep in writing or a book, that feeling of belonging with privacy is necessary. The idea of having a place to write and share (without fear) would be amazing. A judgement free zone where your quirks are celebrated. Not sure if any of this made sense but it sure seems like a wonderful place.

  868. Love this idea SO much!!!!

    My favorite bookstore has a used book section in the basement. Every trip is like a treasure hunt!

  869. My old hometown had the first library in an old Victorian house and it was MAGIC. The floors creaked, and there were tons of areas to hide and read in that maze of books. It was like a tiny version of Hogwarts with floor to ceiling books! Also I’m throwing a vote in for a miniature books section. Texas doesn’t have any miniature enthusiasts and we need this!

  870. This sounds amazing! Hiding cubbies, author visits, but still a “small” feel. And definitely a cat. But maybe a sign at the door about the fabulous cat for those that are allergic.

  871. Oh how I wish I lived in your area! I love this idea so much and am so excited for you. My favorite bookshop is The Santa Cruz Bookshop in Santa Cruz, California. There’s books and benches and clothes about books and it’s wonderful. My other favorite part is they have their employees right reasons they loved the book or why they would suggest it and have this on index cards taped to the shelves in front of the book! Definitely comfy chairs and places to hide, maybe even the option to grab a warm drink because is there anything better that a hot mug of tea and a book in a comfy chair?! I can’t wait to see where this takes you!!

  873. This sones amazing! I wish I lived in your area so I can hide with cats and celebrate Cinco de Mayo every time I’m there.

  874. This sounds wonderful! I wish I lived in San Antonio to visit when you’re up and running. My suggestion is good lighting. Something bright enough to see what you’re looking at but not blinding.

  875. Old Victorian or similar building for sure, must have character to match yours. Have “Staff Picks” and “Our 100 Best Books”, both of which rotate as tastes, availability and choices change. By making these categories fixed, customers will learn to browse there and find undiscovered gems. These were some of the best features our independent mystery store offered. We had plaid carpeting and had tape on the floor in the outline of a dead body; this was Scotland Yard books, so theming mattered.

    Also, I’ll put in a bid for digital books at some point. I believe Kobo works with stores to let customers buy digital books, but that’s a dream of mine for later. Go and live yours.

  876. San Antonio is my favorite town in Texas. I can’t wait to cone visit tour new store! And if it doesn’t have a taxidermied animals and live cats, I will bring you some. And a giant metal chicken.

  877. For the love of all that is holy, make the aisles wide enough for two people to peruse without having to bump each other. Make sure there is a bathroom that is not only accessible to persons with disabilities, but where my hips dont have to touch one or both walls, and so that no one can peek through the cracks in the stalls to see what I’m doing.

    Quiet corners for 1-3 people, chairs and benches so that larger patrons are just as comfortable as smaller ones. A kids area off by itself where the shelves are bolted to the floor and people who prefer to not be attacked by other people’s ill-behaved children can avoid.

  878. Hey Jenny! I have serious doubts if you will get all the way through the thousands of comments here to get to mine, but here goes. I totally love the idea of you opening a book store. I live nowhere near San Antonio but would happily come down there if you would let me do a reading of my FIRST BOOK EVER (at age 62, no less) which is due to be published mid-May. circlingbutterfly.com
    Your writing inspires me – even if my words are nothing like yours – because you just get up every day and fucking do it. xoxo

  881. Haunted. No question…haunted. This is not a “new shopping center with lots of light” bunch. We need dark corners and the possibility of ghosts. Cause if I am coming to Texas for a bookshop, there better be ghosts, or at least paintings that seem to stare at you.

  882. Comfy lounge chairs, coffee shop, local art on the walls available for sale.

  883. Well shit now I have to leave my family, friends, and job to move into your bookstore.

  884. I used to love Chapters, back when it had a roaring fireplace and places to sit. It felt more like a library, where people were free to sample the books, which blew my teenage mind. They took all that away, of course, because I’m sure people would just treat it like a library and I understand that capitalism exists in one form only.

    I haven’t purchased anything in a bookstore for a loooooonnnnnnggggg time. When I walk into a Chapters now, I am lost and overwhelmed. I don’t know how to meet a book anymore, to be honest. Where do you start? How do you know where to look when you don’t like niche genres anymore? Is it just me, or do bookstores not focus on selling books as much as they focus on selling pillows and refrigerator magnets? I usually just wait by the sketchbook/journals section…

    I guess I would suggest making it seem “okay” to read a portion of a book
    Have a map of some kind
    provide “clues” to books, maybe like whoever posts pics of random funny customer “reviews” posted in front of games/movies/books? That would be fun. Does anyone know what I’m talking about?

  885. YAY!!! I mean, I have never been to a bookstore with otters, so absolutely yes to that! The only thing essential to a good bookstore is a variety of comfy chairs. Some close together for those who like to discuss/chat/drink margaritas with others and some in corners far away for those of us who prefer devouring a book alone (but also with a margarita).

  886. OMG I love this!!!! I sooooo wish I lived closer cause I would totally go to your store! This is going to be amazing!

  887. Ohhh can you please, please have one of those library ladders that reaches up to a whole second level of books, and someone can wheel it over to pull books from the shelves that are way up high? This is in my dream house library in my head and I’ve always wanted it in real life, so even though it’s probably not going to happen in my house, maybe you can put it in your incredible store. (I’ll come visit from Boston, by the way. I’ve never been to San Antonio!)

  888. I own a small hobby shop/craft studio and I always wish I had room for some comfy upholstered chairs. If I’m reading/knitting/hand sewing etc., I always think how nice it would be to have a snuggly chair. I really wish I had room for a big fat fluffy sectional in case I need a little siesta….I mean to encourage people to hang out. I think Victor and my husband are the same person for many reasons..including the being the War On Fun with regards to the “no pets” law. I say, bring all the animals, stuffed or otherwise. I’ve had my shop for 5 years now, and am happy to help you avoid some of the mistakes I made or act as a sounding board. You can shoot me an email beth@hobbypopshop.com. Don’t look at my website, it hasn’t been updated since Labor Day. I suck at doing things I don’t like to do. It can be overwhelming, but it really is a labor of love. Nothing does my heart better than someone being super proud of something they made at my shop or a new customer coming in because they received a gift they loved from my shop.

  889. Ooooohhhhh…. I’m SO excited for you!!!! What a great dream to make a dreamy reality! 🙂

  890. The Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa is legendary to all writers. Come check out Iowa City. The only “City of Literature” in the US (…I believe) and visit Prairie Lights Bookstore. It is small town, independent bookstore at it’s best.

  891. So I know you’ve been to Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe, AZ. Not sure if you’ve been to the one in Phoenix, but that one (Phoenix) would be my model for your bookstore.
    But whatever you choose it will be AWESOME, so go for it.

  892. Big comfy vinyl couches and chairs, where people can sit and open their laptops or sketch. Keep the sound/music very low or none at all, so that it’s peaceful. A cat. Every book shop must have a cat.

  893. My favorite bookstore was had cozy chairs and nice warm lighting and was run by two very fat cats. Eventually the two fat cats passed away leaving the shop to their owner who got two very hideous clown dolls names them after the cats. The haunted clowns were insanely freaky and moved around the bookstore so you would randomly stumble across their terror. Cats》Clowns

  894. Make sure your employees don’t bother people by asking them if they need help. I hate being confronted by sales people! I will just run out of the store in fear

  896. Please have wine! And also be in Chicago. Yes. Long shot, I know…

  897. As a San Antonio resident, I am so incredibly excited about this!

    My favorite bookstores are those with soft lighting, stuffed chairs tucked away in random corners, and a nice mix of old/new titles.

    I would also be on board with having a shop cat…or two…or twelve. Please just make it your own. I would be thrilled to see various costumed animals throughout the store, each carrying a little placard with their clever, punny name.

  898. This is so amazingly exciting! So happy you’re making this dream a reality!

  899. Just a few thoughts…
    – You need to serve coffee, tea, and absinthe from behind an old-timey mahogany bar
    – You need to have a hidden reading room that is behind a bookcase
    – You need to fill the bookstore with your taxidermied animals
    – You need a small stage where bands and kids (even bands of kids) can play songs and put on small plays, as well as have authors by to perform readings of their books.

  901. I ADORE the idea of the online clubs and the cats and the books and the margaritas and pajamas and … everything! 📚🐱💓🍸🐱📚💓📚🐱🍸📚💓🐱🍸📚

  902. The Brooks City Base area is expanding a lot, maybe worth checking out. We can certainly use a bookstore around here.

  904. If you pay me a living wage I’ll move to San Antonio to help you run it. I’d even live there if it has a living quarters. It would be my dream job like Meg Ryan in “You’ve Got Mail”.

  905. Long time listener, first time caller. My favorite bookstore doesn’t exist anymore and hasn’t for 20 years. It was one that started next to the Flight Path Cafe in Austin (both at the same time) in the 1990s at 51st and Duval. I don’t even remember the name, but its where I found Sandman and other greats that made me the reader and watcher I am today. It was a cross between Book People and I Heart Video (as we called it) where it wasn’t that all the book was great, but that it made you feel/live/think through little notes below the book/video that you never knew you wanted but always needed (thank you Nanci Griffith for that line). Not like anything on SoCo (it hurts me to say that as a phrase but that is what its called now) with irony but true support for why you should keep going and why you should try this. And why you are you. All on a 3×2 inch card.

    Maybe even call the shop Introversion Books.

  907. I am so excited for you and so jealous that I don’t live anywhere near you. I know I would love your bookstore. All the things you already mentioned sound so wonderful. Yay you!

  908. Indies are so rare, aren’t they. My favorite bookstore would have both new and used books, sets and ‘loners’. Not necessarily expensive first editions, but books that are comfortable to handle and read.
    Lots of tables, cushioned chairs (the older you get the less cushioning you carry with you (ahem) and the more you appreciate cushions. really. Chairs with footstools in corners with windows for light..

    and for the used books, a certain randomness in some places, to better your chances of finding a pleasant surprise there. I’ve found more than one book I never knew I needed, just that way.

    I wish I lived closer, I really do. and pace yourself. whatever you do, every so often, stop and breathe slowly, and just enjoy what happens.

  909. As a ferret owner I have to say that wearing them on your chest might not be the best idea. They are squirmy little shits that like to escape! I have two and if I put them on the bed the one(Merlin) goes running to the edge and then falling down the side,intentionally. Once he is free he runs like a bat out of hell as I yell “FERRET DOWN!!” Then I burst into giggles and my partner thinks I lost the last of my marbles.

    The other(Bullseye) is like a fat lazy panda. When we put them in the giant rolling balls he just lays there. Merlin escapes the ball… and the Tupperware Tunnel.

  910. Another great thing about Shakespeare and Company is it’s tumbleweed programme- people blow in and stay there in exchange for reading, working a few hours in the shop and a biography for the archives. I’m sure you would have people wanting to stay at your bookstore!

  912. I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!!
    I have allergies. cat, ferret, bunny allergies. Please don’t exclude me from your bookwonderland. Please.

  913. Stuffed chairs and ottomans. A please don’t talk to me room. A be as loud as you want section.
    You will make it perfect.

  914. Awesome! Lots of author presentations would be great. I’ll have to visit my San Antonio family so I can come buy some books 🙂

  915. I adore children’s books and spaces for children and families in bookstores. If you had room then I would include a space for kids/families. There are so, so many children’s literature choices that you could share with others in your store! This is a passion of mine.. connect with me to hear more ideas for book choices! Good luck. This is a wonderful idea. Am way up in Canada but who knows…maybe I will get to see it some day!

  916. RELEASE THE FERRETS!!! Victor loves Japan sooooo he should totally be on-board with the animal cafe trend from over there! One of my fav things in Tokyo is the hedgehog cafes, cat cafes, owl
    Cafes etc….. a ferret book store sounds great – and if there enough room you can add a giant water feature and some Otters and make otter reading a daily event 😉

  917. I have been to many bookstores that have one or two resident cats. I’ve also heard of cat cafes where people come to pet/play with the cats and sometimes adopt them. Combine the two! A cat bookstore. Other thoughts…. I like bookstores that smell like either freshly printed books or really old books. I like bookstores that have an out of print section for those hard to find books. I like bookstores that have all of the books cataloged so that I can search for something – like in a library – and then know where to look for the book on a shelf. I like bookstores with comfy seating. Actually, I just like bookstores. I might have to take a trip to Texas.

  919. It could be like Cabellas with books. Lots of taxidermy. A fortune telling raccoon. Haunted for sure!

  920. It could be like Cabellas with books. Lots of taxidermy. A fortune telling raccoon. Haunted for sure!

  921. Check out Bookmarks bookstore in Winston-Salem, NC. Their actual bookstore space is amazing,nand they are next door and share a building with an amazing local brewery/restaurant. My favorite part is that the bookstore is a non-profit. I don’t know if that’s really the road you want to go down, but I love all the amazing things they do for our community. As a school librarian, I was able to take part in their free author visits provided to schools. My students loved the author, and it was free to the school (so we had more money to spend on books for the library!).

  922. Oh my gosh!! Here is a vote for anywhere on the northeast side! If I want to buy a new book, my closest option for a store is B&N at 1604/281. The Schertz/Cibolo/Selma area is really growing. There is a local shop that has a small number of books by local authors (The Mill Boutique) that is such a delightful store in Cibolo, but it is primarily full of creations from local craftspeople, from art to soaps to clothing. I could see you in one of the houses the town is converting along that Main Street. There is a wine and cheese bar in one adorable converted home across the street from The Shops at the Mill, called the 1908 House of Wine and Ale—something like that would make an amazing bookstore with options for clubs and speaking events. I don’t know what else is along that road but it came to mind. And there are several new spaces in Schertz or —ooh, there is this cute area off Nacodoches just north of 1604 called Bracken Village!! http://Www.brackenvillagesa.com. That would be a great place, if something is open. But I’ll come visit your shop wherever you set up in San Antonio! I was just telling a friend about your books today!! Congratulations and best wishes!

  923. I love this idea! One of my bucket list items, is to travel across the US visiting interesting bookstores and libraries. Yours will be definitely be on my list!

  924. Clean, well-ventilated, accessible, all-user bathroomS. Plural. Because nothing makes me need to poop like a quiet place with books. I dunno. Just me? 🤷🏻‍♀️

  925. Bitching! I’ll be checking it out online but wishing I could be there in person!

  926. Wow! So wonderful!! How about meetings/readings on Zoom app which is free and records everything so those of us who have horrible anxiety, agoraphobia, and paralyzing social phobia can “visit” your bookstore virtually? Yeah for reaching for your dreams – you inspire greatness!!

  927. I don’t have a suggestion, but the bookshop where my mom lives has the tag line of “purveyors or fine books and whimsy” and I think that’s lovely.

  928. I hope you might have some type of secret bookshelf that moves, opening up to another area in your sweet bookstore, offering that element of surprise AND, maybe, just maybe, a place where some of your bookstore animals might be available for snuggling for your animal-loving patrons. That would be INCREDIBLE!
    Also, as eco-groovy as you’re able to make your place, the better. So, Fair Trade coffee, maybe some locally created treats, an area for used books, and you’re off to the races.
    I am thrilled that you’re pursuing this and while I live in OR, I would absolutely incorporate a road trip to visit. Until then, I will keep sending you positive wishes as you move forward with this dream!!

  929. Um- what happened to Cactus Book store? Bestest Texana collection on block one in hometown.
    Also- need an Architect?

  930. I picture it like Meg Ryan’s store, The Shop Around the Corner, in “You’ve Got Mail.” Cozy, welcoming, and tons of character.

  931. It will be amazing. I will totally make up reasons to go to San Antonio JUST to visit your bookstore and have a ferret-infused margarita at the bar..

    And as usual, victor is wrong… but that’s ok, we’ll let it slide.

  932. It sounds so perfect! This has me seriously considering moving to San Antonio, and I don’t even like to fly over Texas.

  933. O.M.G.!!! A delighted chill ran through my body while reading this!!! I wish I lived in San Antonio!!! What an incredible adventure!!! How can I get involved from 3658.3 kms away? Oops, I’m using up my daily [!!!] quota in one comment.

  934. I actually went to school to become a bookstoreowner… I just didn’t want any clients, as people scare me.Live the dream, Jenny. It sounds wonderful. Add some tea and you’re in charge of heaven.

  935. My favourite bookstore has a spiral staircase wrapped around a giant tree trunk. The second floor has kids books. This makes kids feel like going on adventure to find themselves a book. (There is a landing half way up that authors can do public readings from)
    There are chairs with wide level wooden arms perfect for setting down a drink or snack – no need to juggle objects and accidentally spill. (They sell a wide variety of drinks and snacks)
    They have stock things with the books – things that you feel like you ought to buy to complete the book. the art section has adult colouring books and a variety of art supplies and pencil crayon sets. There are scarves and sunglasses near the adventure and travel books. The cook books have fancy serving ware and beautiful tools, and lovely mugs. There are journals and fancy writing tools. Not everything is practical, but it is all beautiful. It should be a feast for the eyes and the soul.
    I think the owners realize that there are some weirdos who only buy books for the coffee table, but who like the feeling / aesthetic of being in a bookstore. And while we try to convert them to bibliophilia, they have wallets and purchasing power and should be enticed to give you their money as well.

  936. I have had a similar dream for a long, long time. I am ecstatic for you!!

  937. Hey- what about Cactus Bookstore on block one in our hometown? Bestest Texana collection ever!
    Also- need an Architect?

  938. In Seattle we have Elliott Bay Bookstore and Third Place Books – they are much like what you wish to run. Good luck! Ps I always buy Books and never from Amazon!

  939. My childhood dream was to open a bookstore so I am fully on board with your plan. Any place with great books and comfy. hideaway places to read will be amazing. Can’t wait to plan a trip to San Antonio to visit!

  941. An old church was the bookstore I fell in love with, and have wanted to recreate it ever since. It was the kind that had so many nooks and tiny rooms and hidden spaces and more than one staircase, and all painted/decorated differently. Very whimsical, cozy, inviting, and hosted lots of events. There was a basement, too, for karge gatherings, and a great kitchen.

    Dammit, now I want to open a bookstore!

  942. How exciting for you! I live in Houston and it will give me a reason to visit San Antonio. My favorite bookshop is gone now, but if you were in Houston at the time, you may remember Half Price Books on Waugh Drive. It had nooks and crannies all over the place, and it sold old books. I found some amazing first editions there. The whole place had a very “other” feel that you could wander through for hours.

  943. If you are looking for a bartender for the margarita bar count me in! I will move to Texas with Piper, my chinchillas and live happily ever after.

  944. What a great idea!
    The things I like most in bookstores are ones you’ve already got covered – independent, authors coming and doing readings and signings, an eclectic selection. Also local authors being featured. Good luck!

  945. Wow.. I’m not sure if I’ve heard a plan that suited a person more. You’ll do fantastic.

  946. I just asked my husband how far away San Antonio is from Arizona, he said far. I said in my mind “I’m already there”. If he is looking for me, you guys will explain I had to go right?

  947. This is such exciting news!
    If there is room a small stage area for kid’s to do puppet shows of their favorite books or original works. And it can be used by the adults at night for local performances/book readings!
    I am so excited for the very special place you are going to create that allows people to be themselves!

  948. I LOVE THIS SOOOOO MUCH…

    I will come in virtually since I’m allergic to cats and don’t live in San Antonio!!! But I LOVE THIS.

    I love places to sit and hide in bookstores as well as different corridors (if possible) and I really like it when books are placed face up so you can see the covers.

    I can’t wait to see what lovely loveness you come up with. And I’m jumping up and down inside for you because I know it will be fantastic.

  949. That is so freaking exciting!! I so wish I lived closer so could support this in person. Hopefully my squeals and high fives from here will do! Congratulations on your amazing bravery!

  950. This is the best thing I’ve heard in a while! It should smell like books, and because it’s yours there should be little vignettes of unusual dollhouse furniture of doll heads that shoppers can stumble across. And huge jars buttons we can let spill through our hands. Cocoon chairs (or egg chairs or wing chairs with oversized wings) we can hide away in when we’re done with people but not ready to go home. I can’t wait until you’re open!!!

  951. Accessibility! Room to maneuver mobility aids including power wheelchairs. Accessible washrooms including adult sized changing station so all can enjoy the magic of books.

  952. Good lord, I can’t wait to visit. It should definitely have hot leaf water or hot bean water, and smell of fresh baked goods.

  954. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG This is just magic! I’m in Austin so I love Malvern Books and BookPeople. I’m a librarian who is a librarian because i hung out in a library AND bookstores all my young life. The things that make a cozy loveable bookstore to me: OLD books mixed with new. (is there aerosol musty scent you could use?) Cozy nooks for we introverts to curl up with lots of pillows and peruse. a CAT. Neat old baubles and strangeness hanging on the walks. Quirkiness.

  955. My favorite bookstore is The Book Barn in Niantic, CT. Check out their website and you will see what I imagine for you.They have cats, free coffee and snacks, and all these nooks and crannies – both indoor and outdoor. They have goats and big yard games and it’s amazing.

  957. My favorite “book store” was our public library. It had tall windows and wooden floors that creaked, a balcony which I would stock with children’s books and
    mismatched rugs and floor pillows. Window seats would be a must as would a coffee bar with over stuffed chairs and a fireplace, because….Minnesota.

  958. All stickers and price tags placed on books must be extremely easy to remove and not leave behind any residue. I feel a book is ruined if it has a something on it that the author didn’t intend to be there.

    Partner with local artists to offer a bespoke bookplate design service.

  959. Re: people who won’t talk to you unless you totally want them to
    I recently learned about a conference with colored badges–red if you don’t want to talk, yellow if you want to talk only to people you know, and green if you totally want anyone to talk to you. Perhaps you could have this badge system?

  960. Honestly the best book store I have been in was BYOB for events and they had 2 cats. They were the store mascots and people would come in just to see the vats and walk out with books. Major draw for people. I always wondered if they had problems with those who are allergic to cats but they are always busy so I guess it isn’t an issue for them.

  961. Oh, you are SO AWESOME and I wish again I lived in the San Antonio area. (Many of my characters came from San Antonio… and I’ve only been there once. I’m pretty sure it’s because Mike Nesmith came from San Antonio, but for some reason I have a lot of Texans living in my head.)

    That said, when I was in college there was a bookstore in Tucson that was in an old house, and they hadn’t done any changes to it or remodeling, so it was filled with tiny rooms and spiral staircases and new places to discover and big lighted rooms and little darkish rooms and all the books you could ever imagine and I loved, loved, loved being there. It’s long gone now, and I miss it often… so I’m with you on the Victorian haunted mansion, please.

  962. This might sound strange, but hear me out. No matter where it is please make sure it smells like a bookstore. Preferably with a big dash of old library sprinkled in. The very best places to read and buy books are the ones where you step in the door, take a deep breath and say “Fuck yea, it’s book buying time.” The smell is everything. Books smell like magic, because they are magic.

  963. PLEASE an LGBT books section that isn’t hidden away in a dark corner and isn’t called something cryptic like “Current Events” or “Cultural Studies” or “Alternative Cultures” or one of the many stupid things the LGBT book sections are usually called.

    LGBT books are one of the first places many of us learn that we are not the only one, that there are others out there like us, and that it’s going to be okay.

    Personally, I’m hoping for the haunted Victorian, but I know Victor is thinking sensibly about new wiring, and new plumbing, etc., etc., etc.

    When I left San Antonio in 1998, it was under extremely unpleasant, traumatic, life-changing circumstances. It will be nice to hopefully be able to go back and have your bookstore refresh my memory to a happier place.

  964. Please include little pieces of magic – hidden objects, or quotes entwined around a staircase, or little windows into a miniature world, or reading nooks that only fit one person…Oh, and coloring station and a place for new Mom’s to bring babies to play so they can talk to each other and pretend to have time to read. I think that these would be the best things to add to your wonderful vision and list of ideas from everyone else. Congratulations – what a wonderful gift to yourself and the world!!!

  965. I love all kinds of bookstores, so anything you did would be great, but since you asked: A tiny shelf of dollhouse books that you can actually read, a window seat, coffee, wine and leather armchairs. Also, it would be great if one section could be books piled anyhow like Eleanor Farjeon’s The Little Book room. Or if you could have a book-lined turret but there won’t be many of those in shopping centers.

  966. My favorite bookstores are the kind with wood floors that creak when you walk on them!

  967. My favorite bookstore was in a house. All the interior doors had been removed, so you could wander from room to room. Each room had floor to ceiling bookshelves and all the books in a room where from a category (or group of categories), for example mystery books in the front room and cookbook/self-help books in the next room.

  969. Re: location, look into the East Side Promise Neighborhood. There is commercial space available in old buildings with lots of character and there isn’t any competition anywhere nearby. And because it’s an area in need of revitalizing, there are very likely city government programs that would help you establish the bookstore. (I’ll freely admit I’m advocating this in part because I live in the neighborhood and would sell my grandmother for a bookstore I could walk to.)

  971. Some used books, giant comfy chairs, staff picks- Powell’s does a great job of this. Like a fine wine I want to know a little about it before I buy. I’m voting dog, lots of people are allergic, like me.

  972. JENNY ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️ Congratulations !! Wishing you all the best in your exciting new venture 😊 It sounds like a perfect setting for you. Follow your heart, but bring your brain along for the ride too.
    Please stock some old books. They feel good. 😌
    I wish I lived nearby. Keep us posted! You are always sooo interesting.

  973. Having started a (pet shop) small business I learned (the hard way) a few things:

    Start up inventory is a lot of money you don’t get back until you quit.

    Shopping malls are astronomically expensive rent but you do want to be on the beaten path. Malls charge high base rent then want a percent of your sales plus something else (called triple net). Avoid malls. Start small and move later, you won’t look so empty initially. A good bookstore cat is a common feature. Mature cat to sit decoratively on a shelf by a window. Forget ferrets, they will leave. A decorative dog would also be good.

    Consider lots of used books of quality. Cheaper inventory and I’d bet your fans would either donate or sell you theirs cheap. Goodwill chairs, sofas and tables well chosen can make it comfy. A place for kids to do homework and WiFi for computers. Start a readers club and give 10% off the book of the month and a day to gather and discuss (with snacks provided). Consider a trade in of 3 well chosen used books for one from your shop. Save room for book signings. Remember how many showed up at LaJolla for you. I was there. Geez.

    Annoying but doable, business permits, fictitious name registry (Ferris Mewler Books? Dorothy Barker Books?), and arrangements for sales tax (city?state, income tax- get an accountant to handle that crap. Consider an intermittent part time employee so you don’t have to never have a day off or hate stocking shelves, sweeping floors or whatever you don’t want to do.

    My favorite book store had a circular fire pit where you could sit and put your feet up around the fire. Served coffee drinks and desserts for the going price. Hand musicians play for tips weekend evenings and had board games to use. I was a single mom college student and all I could afford was coffee and paperback books. And met my boyfriend there too. Think Starbucks meets bookstore. Hire a college student barista and get a good espresso machine. Find a local bakery to supply yummy desserts.

    Good luck, I’d love to visit. I love San Antonio and if you were close to Riverwalk I’d come from San Diego

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  974. Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d write: I need to move back to San Antonio.

    Also, I think you should have breakfast tacos. Along with margaritas, they are one of the best things about SA.

    Also, by the time you open, I’ll be done with my Lillebaby carrier which is just like a Baby Bjorn and I would totally be willing to donate it for your ferret wearing needs.

    Also, “ferret wearing” turns out to be a fun phrase to say.

  975. OMG I want to go to your bookstore RIGHT NOW but I can’t because it doesn’t exist yet and also I live in Canada so that wouldn’t work but still!! How exciting!!!! The best bookstore I know is Russell Books in Victoria. It’s in this building where you actually have to go outside to go to the the second floor or to go down into the basement and it’s got all sorts of different funky room and the books are piled everywhere and they ya e new and used and are fantastic!

  976. Jenny, Bookstore, hell yes. Margarita bar, yes with fresh squeezed OJ, I can almost taste it. Pets or animals of any kind except maybe a cool fish tank, definitely no way. Allergies to cat and dog dander will immediately eliminate potential customers from enjoying your new place. Sounds like a cute idea to have animals but it is not practical in terms of allergies and smells (cat litter is no picnic).

  978. OMG Do I have to move to San Antonio now? I may have to! My husband has relatives in Laredo so this could be a thing! Live animals are a MUST in any decent bookstore.

  980. This will be AMAZING!!!! I will definitely make the trip! I love bookstores with big comfortable chairs, and nooks to read in. I don’t want to sit next to lots of people. I just want to read. And fancy coffee. And no judgment about my eclectic reading stack.

  982. I’ve even in the fence between wanting to move back to Texasor stay miserable in Ohio for like 7 years now. Since my ex husband got to keep Dallas in our divorce I’ve been working up the courage to try out Austin on my own (with two kids). You having a store in San Antonio just tipped the scales for me, I’m announcing our impending move tomorrow! Are you taking applications/resumes for assistants yet? It sounds like a place I would feel at home in. And after reading the other comments, I have to agree about the bookcase that’ll move to expose a hidden reading room in the haunted mansion. Perfect.

  984. I would travel just to visit such a place! I love your ideas and it seems like it would be a bookstore/meeting space/working space which is inventive! I always enjoy eclectic places (one place that this reminds me of is Jackson Avenue Coffee in Charleston, Illinois. I spent a lot of time there in college and while not a bookstore-it was a meeting space/retail/coffee shop). You can do this, Jenny!

    Also can I come be a guest book checker-outer?

  985. Hooray for bookstores!!! The best bookstores have a few cushy chairs where a person might curl up and read a chapter or two to make sure the book is the right fit. And smells like books or coffee and baked goods, but never flowery candles, because that’s just weird. 🙂

  986. Would it even be your bookstore if there wasn’t taxidermy and all the haunted things? Also, I’d love to go to a bookstore with an actual ladder to get up to the tip top books. Not sure if your lawyers and insurance people will let your customers do that, but I’d totally sign a waiver if I could.

  987. OMG! I moved to San Antonio two years ago almost to the day and now there’s even more reason to live here!!!

  988. This is absolutely amazing news. I’m thrilled for you.
    I’m already planning my 1752 mile toad trip.
    If you can’t have live animals, maybe live plants. Please feed the aspiring poets and musicians as well as authors. The best of best wishes for you in your new endeavor.

  989. I love this plan with my whole self! If you partner with a local rescue and have adoptable cats roaming the store you will be living my DREAM. The haunted Victorian is, of course, The Aesthetic but would you be able to make it accessible for awesome book-lovers with mobility issues?

  990. Secret doors that open to perfect reading nooks, using ornate books – or completely ordinary books as the trigger!

  991. Oh! I LOVE THIS!!! I would (will) move to San Antonio just for this book store. Have a second floor, like a loft/balcony thing!! And a railing with wooden pickets that you could put bean bag chairs next to! So people like me who like to be out of all the drama and people but still like to hear and be informed about what’s happening can listen from above. Creepy but also reassuring. And AND AND maybe have an area for local animal shelters to bring in some dogs for adoption!!! So they get seen and have a better chance of getting adopted, and so you can cuddle and read to them! You can read them what you are writing and they won’t judge you! Oh my oh my I love this, I love all of this!!!

  992. In my perfect bookstore there would be a way to build blanket forts, because books always read better in a fort and sometimes when I want to be around other people I still need a way to be by myself. You could put little hooks on the sides of the book stacks and leave blankets on a shelf of each stack. Then the blanket forts could grow organically in whatever section needed one at that particular moment. And if you didn’t need a fort at the moment you could grab a blanket to be cozy warm. And now I want to visit San Antonio. 🙂

  993. A- I think this is a WONDERFUL idea and I’m sad I don’t live near you
    B- if you do get this off the ground I would love to donate a painting I made of a carrot dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.
    C- I think snuggle ferrets are an amazing idea
    D- things I think are great about book stores = places that truly welcome kids so they can get started early loving books. Somewhere cozy to sit and read. Cats.

  994. that is awesome, Jenny! Your staff is key. My favorite book store had people who would engage browsers. Ask what they liked, what they were looking for, and weren’t afraid to hand-sell a quirky but of something. Wine is also good at a book store. My local one is Book Cellar, in Chicago. they have great events too, you can buy google e-books through them so they still get some proceeds and they will order anything they happen to not have on hand.

  995. A mix of new and used books, and you buy used books, so people can come and sell them and use the money to buy new to them used books. Powells does this (big bookstore in Portland, OR) and it is my favorite. They offer cash or a larger amount of store credit, and I always take the store credit. 🙂

  996. I think Parnassus Books in Nashville is a great example of what a bookstore should be, although it lacks the margarita bar.

  997. I want an independent bookstore where I can sit in a BIG comfy chair or couch and leaf through the pile of books I’ve gathered so I can pick a little piece out of one and then the other to read. And I want to be able to pile them on the floor while I’m reading them. And I want a big bin thing to put them when I decide I only want three and have twenty. I’d like birds chirping away and lots of plants and lots, repeat lots of places to sit for everyone because that’s what you need to do to look at all the books.

  998. The Earthling Bookshop (now long gone) in Santa Barbara used to have a round metal fireplace in the center of the store, surrounded by chairs for reading. They also had a painting of St. George slaying the dragon on the back wall. They sometimes had live music, too.

    I haven’t been to Santa Barbara in decades, and the Earthling has been gone perhaps 20 years. I miss that store.

  999. Gregory-749er

    WOW. I wish I lived in San Antonio. Great idea. It will be wildly successful because it will be yours. I worked in a book store part-time to supplement my income when I was in my early 30’s, but it did work out as planned. I love books and reading so much I was spending all the money I earned there on books. Please have more non-fiction books than fiction, we have enough people in this country living in fantasy land. We need more people aware of truth and reality, then maybe we can get America back on track. Love you Jenny, you are AMAZING.

  1000. Needs to be the Victorian, obvs!! But can i ask to maybe put the cats in one area and not a free for all BC I’m SO ALLERGIC (think epi pen) and i would buy a plane ticket just to see this but i don’t want to die 🙈. Maybe have the bookmobile have the cats/kittens up for adoptions?

    CALL IT PUSSIES FOR PAGES 😂😂😂😂

  1001. Genius! I actually hollered YEAH! when I read this. Go, girl! BOOOOOOOKS!!

  1002. I’m really not sure I understand what I just read. You, who hate being in public, are going to run and be bodily present in a bookstore where people are allowed to roam? Is this a trick?

    Is this some cunningly devious April Fool’s joke that was published while you were stranded somewhere in the last time zone before the date changes?

  1003. Jenny! I’m so excited for you! I will totally gone to San Antonio, even though I have agoraphobia, because that’s how much I adore you and believe in you.

    My favorite parts of bookstores are the little nooks and crannies with big armchairs or pillows where someone can just cozily hang out and read or chat with a friend or just hide for a while, away from the world but still a part of it. Because there’s no place that’s more “part of the world” than a bookstore, a place that literally contains everything imaginable.

    I can’t wait!

  1004. Haunted Victorian, for sure. Other than that, if you build it, they will come. Seriously. I would drive from Austin to shop only at your book store. If your store is anything like I imagine it to be, I will stay all day and bask in the wonder of it. Good luck!

  1005. You just missed the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Spring Conference in New Braunfels, Texas! They have another one coming up in Denver next week (!!), and a trade show in October (also in Denver). It’s a great place to get started networking with other bookstore peeps in the business. I also wholeheartedly recommend the Facebook group called Indie Booksellers (seriously, Indie Booksellers on FB is my happy place) https://www.mountainsplains.org/ ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

  1006. Hooray! My favorite bookstore is Katy Budget Books in Katy, Texas. It has a good mix of new and used books and plenty of clubs and events so that you can meet other book lovers.

  1007. It sounds rather like Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis, but for adults. They have many wonderful animals that work at the store; Cats and chickens and chinchillas and many birds and rats and a tarantula. Lots of corners and comfortable furniture and a magical purple door that is kid sized, inset in the regular door.

  1008. When I think of an Indy bookstore I think of a cottage that holds lots of books and treasures and comfy furniture in every room. With outdoor book club meetings and author readings in the garden, which should have a wooden swing on a tree, that also provides lots of shade and cool respite from the hot Texan sun (I’m from Canada but am assuming there is always a hot Texan sun😜).

  1009. Favorite Bookstore is a tie between RJ Julia in Madison, CT and Bank Square Books in Mystic, CT. Both are in high foot-traffic areas with a lot of vacationers milling about in the Summer and Fall. Both places you can hang out as well as get a personal recommendation on a book. The people who work there actually read, which you can’t always say about B&N personnel. Good luck, Jenny!

  1010. So my only real suggestion that someone else hasn’t already covered (I think) is to look into really tiny shops in the area and get an idea of what they have on offer. Especially tiny restaurant type places and especially near the places you’re looking at. If you happen to be right next door to a little place like that, you can have a little menu board of some foods they have like sandwiches that might just help out your neighbors. Maybe have a bit of a partnership where the local shops have a little book board of the employees’ favorite books. I’ve always wanted to do something like that in the coffee shop I work at.

    Local candle places could have a tiny stock on hand at your store to interest customers. Crafting places could maybe display some bookmarks or pick out their favorite starter books on knitting, etc. and could make some of the starting supplies available at your location. If there’s a tea shop (I mean, if there isn’t a book shop, I doubt it, but…), then you could offer some of their more popular tea options.

    Otherwise, just basic wifi, comfy seats, and I really like the idea of the book exchange.

  1011. We used to have this awesome locally-owned bookstore/cafe. I enjoyed buying books there, going to events there, and eating there. The owner decided to sell and the new owners haven’t done as good of business, but I think it’s just because it’s different. This is a smallish town and people don’t like change.

    I love bookstores, I always find great presents for other people there and I find books to add to my TBR pile. Good luck and I hope this works well for you!!

  1012. Oh, this made my day! Congratulations on your glorious new adventure .

  1013. Merch, you must have good merch. I used to live right down the street from Politics and Prose in DC. The selection is great and it was so nice they brought in authors all the time. However, it was the cool Politics and Prose labeled merchandise and quirky pins, magnets, and other cool stuff that got me to go in at least once a week.

  1015. Wine and Coffee please. Weekend trips from Houston. So you recommend local bed and breakfasts. Have some sort of special book reading signing – maybe even some sort of tour of San Antonio. Oh and of course trips to thrift/junk/antique and taxidermy places! How about everyone having dinner with you and the family Saturday night – and yes people who come have to pay for everything!!!!! Kind of like a blogess immersion weekend.

  1016. My daughters and I made plans for an imaginary coffee shop (I even got a food service sanitation certificate! in 2007…) Some of our plans would work in a bookstore. Display art (for sale) from the local community college. Play music by local bands. Have pictures to color (also created by local students) and while I’m at it, a big ole whiteboard and a bulletin board – though I guess that’s taking away wall space that could be bookshelves. Have ladystuff in baskets in the bathrooms.

  1017. When I was a kid I loved this bookstore that had bathtubs with pillows to hide in and read. I don’t know what the adult version of that is… but I would want quiet places to read with some privacy. That, and some of your amazing taxidermy collection.

  1018. Can it be in Boerne instead? Please? San Antonio intimidates me, but I promise to go to Boerne at least twice a week if you put it there.

  1019. I am so excited for you!! Your store will be awesome in it’s own way, but one of my favorite places ever is Kramer’s bookstore in DC. I once bought an Octavio Butler novel and sat down with a glass of red wine and it was an amazing break from a crazy weekend. A wonderful place. https://kramers.com/bookstore

  1021. I love this idea! I like when bookstores have comfortable chairs to sit and look through the books. It’s also nice to have a little play area or story time for children. I love your Bookmobile idea! It reminds me about a book I recently read about an English librarian who loses her job when the library closes and so she buys an old van and loads it with book and drives it around these small Scottish towns that don’t have a library or bookstore to sell books. That’s what I pictured when I read your post. Good luck with your new business venture! I’m sure it will be fantastic!

  1023. So so awesome!! It sounds like my favorite new bookstore. Can’t wait to road trip from Houston. And an awesome bookstore – Blue Willow in Houston. It’s quaint, and it reminds me of a grandma’s library.

  1024. My son has the same dream 😊 only his bookshop will sell the cookies and desserts he bakes himself. And a coffee and tea bar cause he and his friends love hanging out at the local coffee shop.
    If you’re ever in Austin check out Book People, they are pretty awesome. The employees write book reviews, they have author events and cool little gifts to go with your books.

  1025. Jeff Kinney, author of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, owns a bookstore in Plainville, MA called An Unlikely Story. https://www.anunlikelystory.com
    I went there recently and it’s really lovely. It’s in a former general store building. Large event space on the second floor. Excellent selection of books and cool gifts. And a cafe with food and coffee and BEER and WINE. And comfy chairs. I said to my husband “I want to live here.” It’s exactly the kind of bookstore I would love to have in my hometown.

  1026. All book stores need a cat, or more. This is very important. As are comfy chairs for reading and other pursuits such as knitting and crocheting. I can totally see myself cozied up with a gin and tonic, the shop cat, and my knitting, all amongst the knitting and fibre arts books lining the shelves. A bar is a must!
    I would definitely visit any bookstore that you open.
    Sending love from Canada.

  1029. A favourite bookshop of mine is gone now, sadly. It was the Highway Bookshop in the mining town of Cobalt, Ontario, Canada. I loved it because it was crammed floor to ceiling with books, you could wander a maze of books, stacked, piled, and shelved in random fashion. The floor was creaky, and it was just amazing. It began as a printshop for local and area writers to publish their works, and offered books for the miners and community.

  1030. Victor is wrong, bookstores with cats are THE BEST. There was a bookstore in a town I went on vacation in that had a cat living there, and I went there and bought a book every day so I could pet the cat and read. Went back there every year until the cat died in 2017 (still go back, but I don’t buy a boot every day of my vacation anymore.)

    Other bonuses are lots of cozy spaces to sit and read, fun decorating (possibly related–LOVED a bookstore in my youth that had a tiny two-story log cabin for kids to read in), and, if you can’t afford a café/bakery, at least a little snack stand and fridge where we can buy treats (and tables to read at with our treats). Also, a shelf of employee reccomendations–always a good way to find something new! And if you can, shelve books face-out. They just call to you so much better that way.

    Of course, whatever you do will be lovely; I may have to make a trip to Texas just to visit!

  1031. I know this isn’t a popular idea among bookstore lovers, but, I like bookstores, but I LOVE, ebooks. Could it be possible that we could buy ebooks from you instead of the big boys?

  1032. I’m local – Alamo Ranch keeps building new spaces, and there are some new concrete pads being laid by the HEB they built a year or so ago… Or maybe you could open in Helotes? The prices might be better.

    Also – I’m coming to visit – and I think shop cats would be a great idea. If not permanent, maybe you could hold adoption events? Or events with cheap vaccinations? or … OR you could have a wall of photos of adoptable pets in a local shelter – and put a big “adopted” sign when they get adopted (like a house with a “sold” sign). You could have a little celebration every time one got adopted, and a medium celebration if the animal was adopted after a long time in a rescue.

    Ok – too many ideas – I think it is a crazy great idea

  1033. Sadly, my two favorite book stores no longer exist. One was Toad Hall, an amazing children’s book store in Austin. The other is the original Book People. The new one is great, but what was added in terms of space and modernization equalled an unfortunate loss in charm and atmosphere. Go with the Victorian. Maybe in King William?

  1034. The tattered cover in Denver. You’ve been there, I know because I met you there! I’d reach out to them and other successful stores for guidance. Because you have to succeed! This is so awesome.

  1036. I vote haunted victorian. Also, I have always ALWAYS dreamed of opening a bookstore / candy store. Coffee and pastries are all well and good, but if I can wander through new fiction while enjoying a giant lollypop that’s just heaven.

  1037. I would totally visit your book store especially if it had chairs to curl up in and snuggle ferrets or cats or any animal, puppies, piglets, miniature goats anything. There is no greater pleasure than a good book and a sleeping animal in your lap.
    Best wishes for your new adventure.

  1038. This is SO exciting! San Antonio needs more bookstores. I grew up in my family’s bookstores in San Antonio, later working in them and even managing one across from the Alamo (The Twig, The Red Balloon and Booksmiths). When my dad got older, he sold The Twig to a lovely family and closed the others (it’s now in the Pearl development). There are some staff members there with a lot of great info and experience that I know they’d love to share. Ask for Claudia or Suzanna. I’m in Auston these days, but I’d love to come visit when you find a space! Heck, I can even shelve books if you need volunteers. ❤️❤️❤️

  1040. Please, please, please make this store as accessible to disabled folks as possible. That jeans wide doorways, easy to use bathrooms and a lack of scented products (unscented kitty litter, no sure fresheners, etc), and no steps leading to anything. Please consult our community about this!

  1041. I’m a retired librarian and have also worked in bookstores and I propose you hire me. I’m also super good at programming, decorating and animal care. I was just reading about meerkat yoga so maybe you could have meerkats too.

  1042. OMG I LOVE THIS SO HARD!!!! My favorite book shop ever had perfectly awesome books, cozy reading space, tables, and COFFEE. Good coffee. Local coffee… not Starbucks. It smelled like coffee and leather and books. It smelled like heaven. It had perfect lighting; relatively dim, not bright and fluorescent, but bright enough to read by. It should definitely have cats. Yes! And 2 books you should carry are from an Australian publisher ( Hey Sigmund) titled Hey Warrior and Hey Awesome. This. Is. Awesome. ❤️

  1043. ok ok ok I’ve always wanted to open a bookstore so i’ll just give you some ideas:
    -Public art: super important. If you want a reading nook, then buy/make a bunch of rocking chairs and have people decorate them. Or paintings, or anything involving yarn. Also ask around for local artists and sell their work.
    -Seasonal drinks. Hot chocolate, lemonade, whatever people drink in springtime…
    -Also sell puzzles and nerdy things.
    -I know this is probably dangerous and a little weird but that seems to fit in great here. This old, weird library near my house growing up had these renovated sleeper cars from a really old train? So you could have a little bunk-bed-like enclosure to read. It was very sweet and the librarian always had to come and tell me to get down so someone else could read.
    -Storytellers for kids and/or adults.
    Thanks!

  1044. Sounds fabulous, Jenny! I vote for the haunted Victorian- but I’d like to see the bookmobile with Jenny as the driver (instead of Mrs. Morris) back at your hometown/ just like when we were kids! Wasn’t bookmobile day the best?! I think you should get the bookmobile all set/decorated & stocked first and park it in front of your proposed new permanent location (like a mobile billboard!) until the giant, haunted Victorian is ready! Can’t wait to visit the bookstore & for the bookmobile to visit us!!!

  1045. Haunted Victorian! My all-time favorite bookstore was in an old house here. I loooooooved it. Rosemary had bookshelves literally lining every downstairs room, plus stacks & stacks of books – and she could tell you where every book was. This is the place now; look through the photo tour & picture the house FILLED with books. https://www.charlotteagenda.com/29232/poplar-street-cafe-wine-bar-coming-soon-to-fourth-ward/ This, plus cats & a ferret or two. Plus conversation hours – maybe not even about books, but: come & chat. Person-to-person. Or maybe like a red tent: Out of sorts, anxious, depressed, unsure? Come to the bookstore for soup & a hug. Or, B & B & B? Bed & Breakfast & Books? Ohhh, that sounds incredible! Rooms upstairs, books & kitchen downstairs. Yes, please. In an olllld house. With cats.

  1046. My favourite bookstore is called The Bookman in Chilliwack, BC (Canada). They have cats and cozy corners and lots of cool weird stuff. I love all your ideas, especially the ferrets, if they don’t smell. But, definitely not in a mall!

  1048. I just told my wife we need to move to San Antonio so I can come and work in your bookstore. Seriously though, I know it’s been mentioned several times but you do need to visit the Wild Rumpus bookstore in Minneapolis. They had 2 ferrets who would steal books and hide them under the bookshelves. You could make a business road trip to visit there, Birchbark Books owned by author Louise Erdrich (https://birchbarkbooks.com), and Red Balloon Bookshop (https://www.redballoonbookshop.com). If you need a Minnesota tour guide I would be happy to volunteer (I’m a librarian and love visiting bookstores). I think having classes is a lot of fun. It sounds like you’re thinking of creating something that goes beyond a typical bookstore, more of a creative space. Another place to check out for ideas is Open Book in Minneapolis (http://www.openbookmn.org). They have several organizations that use their space including the Loft Literary center (https://loft.org), a space for authors and offfers writing classes and the MN Center for Book Arts (https://www.mnbookarts.org) which deals with the artistic side of books. It is an amazing place that could provide a lot of inspiration for making a book haven. 2 things I would love:
    1. An animal webcam (for whatever creatures you end up having in your space)
    2. A killer hot chocolate, or something equally delicious for those people that don’t drink coffee.
    Best of luck! This sounds like it will be an incredible adventure! I cannot wait to see what happens next!

  1049. Great idea Jenny, can’t wait to see what it becomes.
    Also, may I drive the bookmobile, please?? 🙋🙋😁

  1051. This is absolutely fantastic news! And yes, a family of bookstore otters would make anyone feel welcome. I am the buyer for Book Passage book store in the San Francisco Bay Area. We were lucky enough to host you for an event and hope to do so again in the future. If you ever want to discuss how this whole bookstore thing works please do not hesitate to reach out! I would be happy to answer questions or listen to lists of names for the members of the bookstore menagerie anytime.

  1053. The Blogess Book Bar? Im so down…as long as there are also tacos, ocassionally. 😉

  1054. I went to Shakespeare and Co in Paris (brag) and they also had a piano somewhere upstairs. Someone was playing it, or it was haunted.

  1056. Shop cats are a must, with cat perches and walkways mounted high on the walls and poking through walls so the kitties can move room-to-room while staying overhead.

    Comfortable seating with side tables that are as tall as the chair armrests, because form follows function. And ottomans because I can’t read without putting my feet up.

    A way to buy digital books via your shop, so I can browse the store and get great book recommendations, and still be able to support your business. I just don’t buy printed books anymore – I love my Kindle.

    A crap-ton of snarky, profane, and/or alcohol-themed merchandise on which I will gleefully spend way too much money. Cocktail napkins with sarcastic sayings, refrigerator magnets, wine glass charms, coasters – you name it. And all of this stuff will FLY off the shelves if your customers are nicely buzzed, so in lieu of a troublesome liquor license, try to find a location next to an establishment that sells overpriced cocktails.

    In addition to writers, a space for artists to work and display their work might be a cool idea. Cafe Tu Tu Tango’s now long-closed Buckhead (Atlanta) location did this super well. The surviving Orlando location isn’t nearly as cool or funky.

    A side room with an assortment of Red Dresses, and a photographer to take your photo in one of the dresses.

    A touch-screen computer that plays different short videos telling the viewer that YOU WILL BE OKAY.

    A shrine to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and all the requisite RGB paraphernalia, including Dissent Collars, etc.

    And please, I beg of you, enough clear/clutter-free counter space at the register so I can set down my fucking purse.

    I love you dearly and can’t wait to see this come to fruition. I am the proud owner of http://www.instagram.com/bigmetalchicken (and http://www.bigmetalchicken.com, which hasn’t been updated in moons because I’m too busy painting the damn chicken).

  1058. Great idea. Totally support a margarita bar. I wish more book descriptions told you how you would feel reading a book. As in “these people are crazy and you can’t get enough” or “ you will hate the characters but have to find out what happens” so maybe a section on books to make you feel xyz. Being able to buy used and new is also nice.

  1059. Love this! It sounds awesome the way you describe it. One thing that springs to mind as you mentioned having authors be able to sit there and write is to merge it with the “coffice” concept – so people can come write/work in the café/bar area, maybe there’s a small conference room for hire at a reasonable cost for extra quiet time work or a small meeting or even (writing?) workshops that you hold. There should also be couches and big and small chairs. You could have local artists exhibit their work for sale on the walls, or just frame beautiful book illustrations. Ok, that was more than one thing that sprung to mind…. Best of luck with your store!

  1060. There once was this little used book store in San Angelo called Ye Ole Fantastique Book Shoppe. At least I’m pretty sure that’s the one. It had “Ye” and “Shoppe” in the name anyway. There was this grumpy old proprietor and it was literally a warren of books. They were everywhere and you could just get lost in there looking for gems. It was like a cross between a book store and the place that Harry Potter bought his wand. Dusty, old, and full of the most glorious books. Most of the time you didn’t even know the price until the owner evaluated them at checkout. I’ve still got a couple of 19th century poetry books I bough there. It’s long gone, I’m sure, but it’s still my favorite book store.

    (It went out of business years ago but I remember it. I bought my first deck of tarot cards there. ~ Jenny)

  1061. You should have a children’s reading hour but the book shpuld be read by a drag queen. Teach children about the LGBTQ+ world early on

  1062. I’m late to the party but better than never… First, YAY! I’m in Houston & would SO road trip just to visit your store! Everyone has sooooooo many good ideas, I’m not sure I have any to add. (Plus, I’m just too lazy &/or busy to read 1000+ comments.) But just in case, here’s mine in no particular order, just cross out any repeats.

    Have multiple mascots furry, real, &/or imaginary. (Be sure to check local zoning laws.;-)
    Have/allow a few beverages & snacks (sell them or permit entry, limited if necessary).
    Offer a wide variety of new & used books, toys, &/or games for a variety of ages. Souvenirs (SA &/or Blogess) would probably also be good sellers. (This makes the store very kid-friendly. I assume you want kid-friendly.)
    A variety of nooks, benches, & other sitting/meeting areas for reading, studying, and/or small meetings.
    Encourage reading clubs for all ages whether they meet @ the store or elsewhere – a teen one, etc.You could have a toddler time, a preschool time, etc. Could tie in small crafts/activities with books to broaden the lesson/story in the book (& also encourage book sales!)
    Consider themed events in honor of various holidays &/or current events (Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, the current week’s Con, etc), book-related dates, &/or popular culture: May the 4th be with you, Towel Day (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), pi day (3/14), Avogadro’s Number day (10/23), or do like Google and choose different ones each year – surprise!
    Decorate the walls, ceiling, and/or floor whimsically and/or with murals of famous book scenes (can that be done without copyright infringement?), and/or from your own books (I’m partial to that lovely raccoon…)
    If parking is a problem & your store is legally entitled to a certain # of spaces, feel free to get or make signs that say [Jenny’s Bookstore name Parking Only]. You could add a sign that says “Others will be towed” or “Non-customers risk being scolded by [Jenny’s Bookstore Name] customers…or scratched by [Jenny’s bookstore name] mascots.
    Be sure your store is wheelchair accessible so we may all enjoy it! 🙂
    LOCATION – don’t rule out non-store buildings. (Though converting a drive-in theater probably isn’t a good idea.) For the longest time, Houston had a Half-Price Bookstore in an old cinema. The neon marquee sign remained, minus the theater name. The chairs were removed, and the book shelves replaced them. You could walk down the wide main aisles & then walk down a row of book shelves. I managed to go by once or twice (I didn’t live nearby). The curtain for the screen remained, if I recall correctly. (An another option would be a mural of a famous movie scene or perhaps a collage of famous actors &/or scenes in place of the old screen.)
    ENJOY!!! 🙂

  1063. Didn’t read all the comments (yet). Has anyone suggested a blanket fort in the bookstore? Either in the kids/teens section or the adults section (preferably both).

  1064. Wow! Thousands of people….and me….think this is the most exciting idea in the whole world! Thank you for finding a way to even include people who will probably never get to Texas.

  1067. Yeah. This is genius. And you are perfect for it. I’m all in on bookstore cats, ferrets, and otters. Although the ferrets may try to eat the books?

    My current favorite bookstore is Mitzi’s. It’s my favorite because it’s big enough to have a great selection, but not so big as to be overwhelming (I’m looking at you Tattered Cover in Denver). The people who work there are the BEST – friendly, but not in your face; helpful but not always lurking to pounce; happy to order anything they don’t have in stock if you just ask. And it has great little niches and nooks based on interest: a cool little kid section with books at their level. A great YA section with not just books but merch to go along. An upstairs with room to sit and talk (quietly) or read. They even carry local artists’ crafts. (It’s my go to for gift giving.) And while the front is filled with light, the back feels more “classic library” with rich wood tones and darker areas filled with warm lamp light.

  1068. My face is The Book Lady in Savannah its literally a hidden gem because it is below the street hidden from view in the historic part of downtown it’s a few rooms crammed with books and tables covered in books with this great cozy olden “haunted by welcoming ghosts” feel that fits the vibe of the city perfectly. Has a great local author/history section staff greets patrons then let’s you be unless you need help

  1069. That is so exciting!!
    Since I’m in Oregon, I selfishly want you to have an online store so I can give you all my business! I will just have to plan a trip to Texas!

    My very favorite place in my tiny home town was our one book shop (which closed when I was a teenager. A bakery opened in its place and I was devisated because I weirdly felt that cake had betrayed me…

    Anyway, everything was wonderful about that shop but the BEST thing to me, was the wonderful feeling that I could go to that store and quietly look through the stacks, wonder back and forth between sections,trying to decide just what I was in the mood for and not once have the owner break my groove by asking me what I was looking for. I would sometimes spend hours there and the owner would simply ask me at checkout, what made me choose the books I did and if I had a good afternoon.

  1070. That is so exciting!!
    Since I’m in Oregon, I selfishly want you to have an online store so I can give you all my business! I will just have to plan a trip to Texas!

    My very favorite place in my tiny home town was our one book shop (which closed when I was a teenager. A bakery opened in its place and I was devisated because I weirdly felt that cake had betrayed me…

    Anyway, everything was wonderful about that shop but the BEST thing to me, was the wonderful feeling that I could go to that store and quietly look through the stacks, wonder back and forth between sections,trying to decide just what I was in the mood for and not once have the owner break my groove by asking me what I was looking for. I would sometimes spend hours there and the owner would simply ask me at checkout, what made me choose the books I did and if I had a good afternoon.

  1071. I would like to know more about these surprise ferrets. Are they in a constant state of surprise? Or are they responsible for surprising people? If so, do they do so only in appropriate situations, such as birthdays and anniversaries? Or is it more of a “welcome to my bookstore. Surprise – it also has ferrets!”

  1072. All of a sudden, very disappointed I no longer live in Texas. This stranger from the internet is so proud of you! Have fun and and it’s going to be amazing!

  1073. Have a tea and coffee corner with cakes and sandwiches for the people who wanna stay there all day and don’t feel like heading out for lunch ^^ also make sure you have toilets for guests. I know it’s obvious until you accidentally forgot about it and people get grumpy at you ^^

  1076. How did I not know Coles arcade also had a mechanical chicken! You must tell Beyoncé!!!

  1077. I wasn’t even halfway through the description paragraph when I thought, “there damn-well better be cats at this bookstore.” And then you read my mind. I WANT THIS NOW.

  1078. Love this idea! The world needs more small, cozy bookstores AND you’ll be TOTALLY READY if the Zombie Apocalypse comes—when not killing zombies, people LOVE to read! 👍❤️

  1079. LOVE this idea and that you’re stepping out of your safe zone and showing so many people that they also can follow their dreams

  1080. I live in Cape Town, South Africa. But when you open the bookstore, I would happily fly to Texas just to go to it. I could think of nothing better!! Do it!

  1081. I’ve been wanting my own bookshop for years, but I have neither the budget nor the brain to own a business.
    My dream bookshop is much like yours, with lots of nooks, and I’d also sell cookies and tea so people can come in and sit down, and I’d sell SECOND HAND SCHOOL BOOKS because those are always too expensive. I’d have a tiny podium for poetry slams etc.
    Also, my dream book shop is on a boat. (I live in a town with lots of businesses like hotels and restaurants on boats, that’s where I got the idea… I’d call it “Seahorse of Troy”) That way people can sit on deck and study and read in the sun, or pretend to be book-pirates. ARRR!
    Hey, fund me? :p

  1082. My two favorite features of my local bookstore (after of course the books themselves) is the abolity to ask them to special order something for me if they dont have a copy in stock & employees that dont bother you while you’re browsing but have good reccimendations when you ask

  1083. Omg that’s amazing. I can’t wait to see what y’all do with it!

    Easily the coolest bookstore I’ve ever seen was this one in my old home town. The lower story had all kinds of stuff like columns made out of books, so many rare old books I’ve never seen tucked into every corner, and just so much wonderfully weird stuff that… well, the best place to get an idea of it is this Yelp page: https://m.yelp.com/biz_photos/hein-and-company-bookstore-jackson?select=tvwY0ze4nCjR10mxKG1bhg

    BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!

    If you go upstairs, everything is modeled after 221 Baker Street. Like major locations that Sherlock Holmes interacts with throughout the books is modeled there, with more bookshelves hidden among the various shoppes and painstakingly recreated study

    BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!

    They do shows and stuff there too, and needed a way to get the actors and actresseses between areas, so they have a ton of hidden doors and secret bookshelves. I spent hours there and saw maybe 1/3 of it all, and it’s a small bookstore. You can kind of see some of this stuff at their website: http://bakerstreetwest.com/

  1084. For some inspiration – This is so interesting – a great story of guys opening a bookshop on Santorini. I think I saw it on 60 minutes but I cannot find it – so here is an article – inspirational!! https://greece.greekreporter.com/2019/03/17/santorini-has-one-of-the-most-beautiful-bookshops-in-the-world/
    And Vanity Fair b/c it’s my favorite: https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2016/11/the-trials-and-triumphs-of-santorinis-atlantis-books

  1086. It must have really comfortable couches and the walls have to have beautiful murals (if one of them is of a sunset I will be ecstastic), there must be coloring tables and a big table that looks like the Mad Hatter’s table from Alice in Wonderland, all your friends have to do talks and courses and its your place so there have to be whimsical taxidermied animals.
    Also tell Victor that he should know and should not be told by people of the internet that people that don’t like ferrets are in no way potential customers of YOUR bookshop

  1087. I’m loving the idea!
    I might have to add San Antonio to my travel plans to the US, just to buy some books in your lovely book store. Because lovely it will be, we can all agree on that. <3

  1089. Yes! Yes! Follow your heart, this would be the most fabulous bookstore ever. Yes to cats and otters and ferrets and places to sit and write and read and places to do readings and lots of sunlight mixed with dark corners and definitely not in a mall. I’ve never wanted to move to Texas but now I do. I’ve always wanted to own a bakery and now I want to move to Texas and bake the raspberry doughnuts you serve in the shop.

  1090. I love bookshops that are cosy. With nice armchairs and a little instore coffee shop with obviously coffee, tea and scones or Muffins or cupcakes or all of the above!! I’m in love with English bookshops. Old, loads of wood, carpet and green velvet armchairs 😍

  1091. Hellz yeah! No bright lights, though, no malls and piped music, no shiny plastic surfaces, but cozy corners with those green lights they have in courtroom dramas, the legal brass and green glass lamps, you know? and definately a bookshop cat, of course! A cat that wanders and winds around legs and purrs and sleeps on top of shelves named Crookshanks or Poe or Mrs Twitchit, and a coffee machine or hot chocolate and old chairs that don’t match but are super comfortable and old rugs, hey, just make everything old and a bit battered and definately a mystical, occult section behind red velvet curtains. 🙂

  1092. Yes to the otters and ferrets. No to the cats (I’m allergic). I was thinking about gerbils, but decided that wouldn’t be a good idea because they would chew up all the books to be a giant literary nest.

  1093. “What makes a bookstore great for you?”

    Finding books that I didn’t know existed.

  1094. My favorite bookshop doesn’t exist. It’s in the book The Secret Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams. I think you would love it!

  1095. Little spaces among the bookshelves where you can safely set down a cup or glass; secret pigeonholes where customers can come across the occasional mysterious or whimsical note or odd present from the resident ghost – and write or draw, etcetera, back if the ghost seems to want friends; a soundproof area for people who want to be outside of home, but very much need to be able to also shut out the world at the same time – like a panic room, but friendly and relaxing; rooftop access with a rooftop garden, and for no reason other than that they are fun, a gazebo, which is also stocked with books; stars everywhere (real or imaginary, I’m not particular); furniture all over the walls and ceiling specifically for the cats and ferrets to roam around on; vending machines where local writers/artists/musicians etc. can put in small versions of their work for the adventurous to pick up at random; at least one big bookcase which turns out to be a door to another room, also full of books; pillows for people who might find themselves dozing off from waiting for the book nerds who brought them there to come back from the world they’re reading.

  1096. My BFF and Boss Lady is a badass interior designer with construction experience who can run your renovation less expensively than anyone else in SA – and make it feel like you. She’s a ninja problem solver and such a shining light in the world!

  1097. Totally the haunted Victorian! Atmosphere to enhance the experience.

  1098. One of my favorite bookstores was one that was in what used to be an old brick fire station. I seem to remember it still had the pole in the middle of the building that you could slide down if you could figure out how to get up to the second floor, considering they’d taken out both the stairs and the floor of the second floor in anticipation of people like me.

  1099. There should definitely be a secret room for people who have anxiety and need a quiet space to rest (I would say put it behind a fake bookshelf that opens into a secret room but everyone LOVES secret rooms and would constantly be opening that bookshelf and giving anxious people a heart attack). Also, I love that bookstore in downtown LA that uses books to make sweeping archways and these beautiful little areas that you just want to live inside of. I would definitely visit for inspiration! http://lastbookstorela.com/

    Also art. Have art.

  1102. Something where once in a blue moon, a lucky customer finds themselves accidentally locked in after closing, like in “Help! I’m a Prisoner in the Library”, or the man who found himself trapped in Waterstones a few years ago, except where the customer appreciates it like they should instead of immediately asking social media for help with an escape plan. I mean, obviously don’t do this without warning, but, like, as the prize in a contest.

  1103. Oh a shop cat is a must! A local bookstore near us fosters older cats who are adoptable. Its such a great way for these cats to find a new home!!

    What would be really nice is a basket or sticker or something you could wear that says “I’ll ask if I need help” because i HATE when i just want to wander around and i keep getting asked for help.

  1104. I worked in bookstores for about 10 years and I have a few suggestions:
    – decent bathrooms that are easy to clean because people are kind of gross and weird. Also, if you have drop ceilings in there people will hide weird shit in them. And not COOL weird shit, like, say, ancient runes or a humanely sourced skull…no, just disturbing weird shit. So… no drop ceilings.

    -so many outlets that you think you’re opening up a Best Buy and not a bookstore

  1105. You have just described my dream enough that I am actually going to comment! You needs cats, can’t have a complete bookshop without one. You need coffee and muffins. Big comfy chairs. If you are selling used books, then have a read and return system. If you buy a used book and you bring it back in good condition, you can either get store credit or cash at – say – 40%? not long rows of samey books, but little nooks and crannies willed with books, people will have to look for books in the right section, they aren’t all neat. You have to rummage! And I have to go to work, so I have to shut up now.

  1106. I’m a long way away and too scared of what movies and TV have taught me to ever go to the USA but my advice, from my comfy little corner of NOT LONDON!* is: hire people who LOVE books as much as you do. I love bookshops but I hate it when I ask staff for recommendations and they either don’t read at all or they read from a script of what they think they should say.

    *same rules apply to living in London as visiting the States although, by some standards, Epsom is in London…

  1107. i agree with the toilet, and the hold haunted victorian house. have you seen the book store in Porto? not saying on that scale but quirky like that. so want to visit from London. I also think everyone from abroad should donate a book for Jenny to read/give away that sums up what it is like to live in their part of the world as them – i.e., mine would be Lisa Jewell Before I Met You https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15721976-before-i-met-you

    As I live in Paddington but have always walked around Soho thinking this is so me, i am home here.

  1108. What a lovely idea. I’m with Victor on the parking and definitely with you on the cats. Can’t wait to hear more as plans evolve.

  1109. This is so amazing! I don’t live in the area but if you need an HRCI certified HR person with 20 yrs mgmt experience + 15 years library experience I am your person😀congratulations, this is a wonderful idea and so excited for you!!!!

  1110. You are a brave living genius and I think bookshops should have comfy chair nooks as well as small chairs for kids

  1111. I think you already have the perfect blueprint in your haunted dollhouse! A life size version!!!!
    I would travel any number of miles for that….

  1112. My husband has been trying to get me to visit Texas, now I actually want to go. After you open of course, it is the only reason I could go that far south. I am so excited!! Road trip!!!

  1113. I like cats but I’m SUUUUUUUUUPER allergic – so no cats would be a plus. I like bookstores with workers who like sharing their love of books and can recommend some based on my interests – so hire some people like that??

  1114. Current favorite space:
    https://www.bookloft.com/
    The Book Loft in Germantown in Columbus, Ohio is my favorite for treasures- it’s an old Victorian converted to a book store that has these crazy aisles lined with books and little passages to what feel like secret rooms. They hand you a map when you step in the door because it’s THAT BIG and THAT WEIRD. Seriously could, and have, spent hours in there and not see the people you walked in with. It lacks only in coziness and coffee. The small children space is far enough away to allow for silence when reading the first 2 (ok ten) pages of a potential winner.

    For nostalgia’s sake? The Bookmobile. That musty/old paper smelling wheeled bus of awesomeness complete with an old lady who came right to the back of the school (!!!!) is one of my top memories. Do that. For the weirdo kids whose friends live in books. Please do that.

  1116. This just made me cry a bit (in a good way). I’ve followed you for years and I’m so pleased for you. Congratulations on being so brave x

  1117. I would plan a trip to San Antonio just to visit your bookshop. Don’t forget Beyonce. Giant metal chickens are always appreciated.

  1118. Damn living so far away in Delaware. I would totally come be your personal baker, and fill your bookstore with sweets. I’m so excited for you, Jenny!

  1119. Wild Rumpus. It’s a bookstore around the corner from me in Minneapolis and the best bookstore in the nation. Not just because I said so. They consistently get awards. I like it because they have a canoe on the ceiling and birds and yes, ferrets. They also have 3 cats roaming the store and a tarantula named Thomas Jefferson. And fancy chickens. And the mirror in the bathroom shows a hidden aquarium when you turn the lights out. It also has incredible employees who understand the value of books and their impact on people’s lives. If you walk in and mention a specific topic to a fellow patron an employee will show up with an arm full of books that she thinks you might be interested in and then disappear. Like magic.

  1120. Tea… can there be lots and lots of tea with cute little porcelain cups?

  1121. Awesome idea, Jenny! You obvs. need a Bookstore Cat, a Bookstore Dawg, a Bookstore Goldfish, a Bookstore Hamster, and a Bookstore Cockateil or some such. Very exciting, and can’t wait to read all about the Grand Opening!

  1122. Everything you described fills me with intense joy, though I do recognize it will be difficult to achieve. Part of this difficulty will be that you are so damn loved and popular that I’m worried you will have mobs of fans crowding your store at all times, and it will be hard to create the peaceful, creative, contemplative space you’ve imagined. I’m not sure how to resolve this, but my realistic side demands I point it out. Also, I’m not above admitting that I’d probably be one of these fanatics, longing to be closer to you and to get a taste of the beautiful things you create. Hmmmmm… Conundrum… Regardless, I hope you achieve this beautiful dream of yours!!! I’ve always dreamed of a space like this as well!!!

  1123. Where do I send my resume to apply to work there? Even though I’m currently in Canada, I’m unemployed and would move to work in an amazing book store like this! I’m also a librarian, so TONS of experience with books, doing story times, author visits, etc 🙂 Hire me!

  1124. Seems like a good idea for the Alamo Heights area, or Stone Oak, but I’d like to see you out in the west side near me! Maybe Helotes??

  1126. Awesome! My favourite local bookshop (Cracked and Spineless) has a tank of overly amorous stick insects, so there’s a chance you’ll come away with a pet as well as books…

  1127. My husband and I are currently in the the throws of opening our own shop ( not books) and its great and terrifying and we haven’t slept in a week and we’re so excited . Please do this I’ve always wanted to visit San Antonio. My favorite book shop is actually a used book shop here in Connecticut called the Book Barn. It’s actually three locations now. The main “barn” is an old barn and many outbuildings all with a million nooks and crannies, old chairs, secret staircases and rooms and lofts. They have LOTS of cats (and goats and turtles in the downtown location and guinea pigs and dogs are welcome at the main barn and one downtown location is pet free for people who are allergic or have sensory issues) each location abd even building and room within them has different genres and its own vibe and i love each one. I can’t really describe the book barn properly in a little comment like this, its a truly magic place for me and a space that has brought me so much for so many years its a lhuge part of the community in my Mom’s hometown and I think one of the greats Parts about living here it’s unlike any book store I’ve eve been to – it what I imagine your store will be in feeling if not actual design.

  1128. This is such a great idea and I am wishing all the best your way. Since I have noticed in your photos that you have dolls in your home, i would like to suggest maybe having one or two Blythes and/or Ellowynes in your shop too as part of the bookstore family. People who have dolls in their lives (especially grown up people) are demonized in our culture and stigmatized as creepy, weird and deviant. This is so not true and having a few dolls dressed beautifully with quirky personalities might help get us some understanding. I am so looking forward to being there virtually!

  1129. An otter-infested Victorian sounds WAY more palatable to the anxiety-ridden than a brightly lit mall, though a mall location with a separate entrance might be okay. My 3 favorite bookstores were quite different, but I’ll describe my favorite parts:
    1) The classy one: tall wood bookshelves with the lighting trained on the books (as opposed to bright lights that flood everything); symetrical rows, making it easy to navigate and have a straight line to flee if need be. It was only books – no coffee or music, but was always packed because it was such a calming place to be.
    2) The split-personality: This place started as a used bookestore (with lovely reading tables at the front by the windows and an assortment of sassy/zen knick-nacks) and eventually expanded to the rest of the adjoining stores to add on a toy store, a coffee/wine shop that had live music even though 3 musicians took up 70% of the space, and at the end, a pizza place. It’s called Poor Richard’s in Colorado Springs (I hope that it’s still open!) and it was a perfect place to wander to when I wanted something to do but wasn’t sure if I wanted a book, cake, or pizza.
    3) CHAOS: A warren of a used bookstore in Halifax – there were piles of books everywhere: on the stairs, in the aisles, stacked in the windows. It was the kind of place that made me feel like I could make a nest and hide in there forever… and that if they did find me, that they’d be cool with it.

  1130. I think all book shops need pets inside. Tell Victor he obviously doesn’t love cats or ferrets or books, because I can’t think of a better bookstore.

  1131. JENNY! JENNY! JENNY! The best bookstore I know of is The Book Barn in Niantic CT. It has cats! (and they pass out a guide with their names and who likes to be pet and who might be bitey!) It has goats! It has nooks and crannies and comfy chairs and people who love books working there. It is legitimately the best.

  1132. So many awesome comments! This was always my dream, never fulfilled, but the bookshop in my mind is a rambling old house filled with plants and odd and ends (exactly like the wonderfully bizarre things you so often post about). Lots of squishy chairs and a tea bar and at least one large, open area for workshops and readings. I also wanted to carry crafts from local artists and play local music in a non-intrusive way. Books are the main focus but a gathering place for the community’s creatives was also a strong theme. Perhaps even a weekly or monthly “open expressions” night where people can sing a song or read a poem, etc. (We did this at a new age art gallery I owned and it was a wild success). Anywhere you are will have a wonderful energy, Jenny. That’s what really makes any place special, and you have that down. Love and good luck!

  1133. I don’t know which I want more. To be you or Ito move to San Antonio to be at your bookstore I love the idea. I love books. Physical books. Yet, it would be nice if there was a place in your bookstore for used books to be reloved by someone without a lot of money or without a lot of space to save all their books. This could be bad for business. But I think it would be great for people. Maybe you can come up with something in the middle. Also, please stock Fairy Tale Reform School series and anything by Jen Calonita. It’s not awesome “Literature”. They just make me feel good. Good luck Jenny. I’m on your side!

  1134. GAH!!! Suddenly I feel the dire need to move to San Antonio!!! Just a bit of an issue as I live on 5he North Shore of Nova Scotia and, for reasons similar to yours, rarely leave my house.

    But I digress! Yay! Oh, so very yay! I’m beyond excited to observe the daydreaming, the veiling, and the mecca that this piece of paradise will be! Bring on the ferrets!!! ❤❤❤

  1135. GAH!!! Suddenly I feel the dire need to move to San Antonio!!! Just a bit of an issue as I live on the North Shore of Nova Scotia and, for reasons similar to yours, rarely leave my house.

    But I digress! Yay! Oh, so very yay! I’m beyond excited to observe the daydreaming, the unveiling, and the mecca that this piece of paradise will be! Bring on the ferrets!!! ❤❤❤

  1136. There is a cafe here in South Florida that partners with a cat rescue/adoption agency. You could totally make it open for them to bring in their cats in a section of the bookstore for people to love on them and possibly adopt.

    I love bookstores with tons of little nooks to sit and read, especially with big comfy beanbag chairs. You should also get @kikididit (www.kikididitdesign.com) to come down from Dallas and do one of her bookstore installation pieces! 🙂

  1137. OMG!!! This will be so fantastic! I cannot wait to visit it, either in person or via the interwebz!

  1138. My favorite book shop (https://www.onemorepagebooks.com) has books, and wine and chocolate. It’s the perfect combo, really. But honestly, what makes this place great is that the staff actually reads everything in the store. There are notes stuck to everything with descriptions and recommendations, and it is perfect for a nerd who clams up when trying to ask questions.

  1139. OMG!! I’m just in DFW, so I can come visit!!!!!!! My ideal bookstore is the one that Meg Ryan runs in You’ve Got Mail. But I’ve never found anything like that. As long as it smells like new books, I’ll come visit!!!

  1140. Lots of great ideas! My favorite local store in Houston is Brazos Bookstore, and they would probably have some helpful information for you as well. I know that you love animals and everyone here loves animals, and there are also many people who are allergic to animals, or had traumatic experiences with animals and so would not be able to enjoy your lovely store. That one might be worth thinking about – how to make it a welcoming space for as many people as possible.

  1141. Our locally owned bookstore that has survived is Schuler Books. It’s in West Michigan and they have been able to provide so much to the community. The only thing they don’t have are shop kittys. That would make this place perfect. They also carry music from local artists. I love this part of their store. You find out what a talented world is around you. I wish you all the success in the world, Jenny. You touch a lot of lives with your kindness and honesty.

  1142. This is fantastic! It’s going to be wonderful. I love comfy chairs, used books, indie authors. Maybe people like me who are small time authors can have some shelf space. I think an old building would be great! I so love this idea!

  1143. My ideal bookstore – you know the one I want to open one day – has a tea shop with vegan, gluten-free treats and a yarn store for my wife and her friends. Cats are a must. Bonus points if they’re adoptable. Of course cats and yarn might be a logistical headache.
    There is a bookstore near me that was bought by a woman who never owned a bookstore. I don’t know how things went with the bookkeeping aspect, but she was amazing at the sales side of it. When she held author signings, she was so enthusiastic in reading from the author’s work (children’s books), and she pre-sold the crap out of the author’s books. My one friend had a signing become a 4-5 hour thing because of the pre-sales.
    You might consider having a TARDIS.
    Best of luck! It will be an amazing adventure.

  1144. What a wonderful idea! You’re living the dream of many of us, I suspect. I think your ideas will be the best. My only suggestions are to make it cozy and have good spaces for people who don’t want to be part of the group things. And the cat… I know people love cats and I do too but some of us are allergic to them, so, I don’t know. Something to think about, maybe. But cat or no, I’m sure your bookstore will be amazing and I’ll definitely make a trip to San Antonio to visit it!

  1145. OMG! I’ll definitely come to San Antonio for that. It’s only an hour and a half drive, but I rarely make it. Your store will be the impetus I need. And I vote for cats. Lots of cats.

    My best bookstore has to be the used book shop in Plano, long gone now, where I made friends with the owner. I’d even sometimes leave work early just to sit and chat about books with Esther.

  1146. A haunted Victorian with cats and ferrets!?!?!! I’m moving to San Antonio!!!

  1147. I love the hooch/book combination but the combination of espresso and books is like crack or maybe heroin for me. So full bar, espresso machine and books. I would fly from NH for that! Oh, plus cushy chairs.

  1148. You and I met at my favorite bookshop – Seattle Mystery Bookshop – and oh, do I have ideas and suggestions and all kinds of practical advice (bubble wrap really is your friend, but the small bubbles, not the great big ones). When you’re closer to realization, call on me if you need me. I’m always here for you.

    Oh, and YAY YOU! What an absolutely FABULOUS idea! You’ll be great at it!

  1149. I love this idea and I’m very excited for you! But please no cats. I’m extremely allergic and if a book has cat hair on it I can’t touch it. In fact, I’d have to stay out of the entire store and I really want to come visit.

  1150. You need rocking chairs. But not rocking because the cats and ferrets may get caught in the rockers. Glider rockers!! That way we can glide and read!

  1151. Hey Jenny! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! what an exciting idea and I’m so proud of how courageous you are! I’ve been a longtime follower and your blog and community have helped me through so much. I’m a professional interior designer and I’ve worked on a lot of apartment buildings, office buildings, bookstores… things like that and I would like to offer any advice, help or services that I can to you for free. You’ve helped me so much and I would just like to pay it forward.

  1152. I think a story hour where kids read to other kids would be fun and fascinating. Young kids to young kids, even if they can’t read. It would be a great opportunity for role modeling, to foster imagination, and building confidence.

  1153. I’m just going to name my three favorite bookstores and what I love about them, and go from there. I love Half Price Books because they carry affordable books, and there’s something more inviting about reading a book someone else read before. I love Barnes and Noble because I also love the orderliness and sometimes I just want to be the first person to read a brand new book. It’s also nice that they have a coffeeshop in there. I love Book People because it has a sense of intimacy, almost like you’re being hugged by a bookstore. The best bookstore I ever visited was a book store that used to be an old house in Columbus, Ohio. It was amazing. Just walls and walls of books. Each room was different. Maybe it was just a wish of mine, but I swear it was actually two houses right next door to each other, joined by a hall of books.

  1154. squeals So excited for you. Thank you for including online stuff so out of state folks can enjoy too. There was a book store in the Milwaukee airport that was so cool. Just books, books, books . Maybe you could see pictures of it online. We have a books a million in our mall – so you know.. It just doesn’t speak to me I guess. I can’t wait to support you. I have kin in TX and I’ll notify them right away. Hugs and love to you. xo

  1155. Until this exact moment I have never had an interest in moving to Texas and now it’s all I want to do!!!! Congratulations Jenny!! This is such fantastic news. I’m sorry, but Victor is wrong. There should be dark and slightly musty corners (that’s how you know it’s a good shop), a nice bright reading room but not all new and shiny and modern. The space should feel loved… but I suspect you’ll have that covered. 🙂

    Can’t wait for the first virtual event! I’ll be there with bells… and PJ’s.

  1156. Jenny, this sounds AWESOME!! As a semi-local (Seguin, TX) I wish you and Victor would do some scouting for your bookstore around here – we have no bookshops, used or new, are a city of readers (have you seen the Seguin Public Library – it’s our pride of the city), and I know for a fact it’s got loads of available haunted spaces with great parking options (my husband teaches a Ghosts, Aliens and Monsters clas here at Texas Lutheran, and he’s hunted all around town with his class:)!! Oh, and as an author of a sort (I create hand drawn coloring books and colorable bookmarks), what I would love from a local independent bookstore is a non-terrifying way to present my work as an option for a shop’s shelves, perhaps something online or a video option for me to present and show my work to whomever makes those calls? I believe in what I do, and there are loads of words as well as illustrations to color in my books, so I think they qualify as “bookstore material” but…the whole figuring out who the hell I talk to, what info do they really wanna hear before making a decision…that’s a HUGE barrier of terror I haven’t been able to figure out how to breach. Anyways, YAY!!!! I can’t wait for your bookshop to be a real live thing!!!!

  1157. 100% need at least one book shop cat. And coffee/donuts/scones. I love the reading cubbies idea! Can some of them have cat nip plants to attract the shop cat?

  1158. I live in San Antonio! Is there a particular part of town you’re wanting to focus on? Do you need volunteer help — I’ll bring breakfast tacos.

  1159. Congratulations on putting your dream out there. This will be a great success! It will be the perfect space filled with positive, weird energy. I love the personal nature of it, the taxidermy it will include (because duh!) and the way to help people connect to a community. I wonder if there is also a way to bring the charity element into it (ala James Garfield). Can people have a way to donate a book to others? Or to a school? Or something? Or maybe there is a billboard where people post wishes and others try to grant them. I’d love a section with weird photos on the walls and odd dolls, stuffed animals, metal chickens strewn about.

    I look for a bookstore that lets me not only expand my thinking and walk the aisles to judge books by their covers, as well as have a place to read, write, listen to music and interact. I can see a weekly podcast being hosted here with some of the events going on and some random interviews from guests (perhaps asking each the same question like the Proust questions.) I could see you hitting an interesting niche the way that Dax Shepard has hit one with celebrities.

    I can also see people hosting different workshops here. Vision boards, life coaching, how to macrame. If you are accepting of others (and there is space on the calendar), you are welcome.

  1160. What if it has all the cool things that kids get in libraries, but for adults? Puppet shows. Story hour. Music time. Not to exclude the kids. And to help adults be more kid like.

  1161. The local secondhand bookstore has rescue cats. They generally get adopted within a month. The cat-allergic may have problems, but the staff haven’t mentioned it.

  1162. Ah! That is so exciting! I’m in Toronto, but looks like I’ll be planning a trip to see your magical shop!
    I LOVE all of your ideas. I think it’d be cool to have a section for books and short stories written by aspiring authors who are too shy to get officially published yet.
    And an idea from Stuart McLean’s story, “Dorothy’s Bookstore”: Dorothy put 3 books on display in the front of her store: “How to Beat Honesty Tests”, “How to Disguise Yourself”, and “How to Create False IDs”, just because she wanted to see who’d buy them.
    I also love how Indigo has those tables of strange, gag things. Funny lists, back scratchers, desk golf sets, etc.
    Good luck!

  1164. This is soooo exciting!!! Woohoo! I wish i lived close to your store when it opens!

  1165. Oh! A non-judgemental human interaction zone would be great. If you’re in there, you can just talk to someone and they’re not allowed to judge you for any strange thing you accidentally blurt out. Or if you talk too much. Or not enough. It’s just understood that everyone is strange and that’s ok. It’d help introverts get some human interaction and maybe even friends. It’d be a nice place for the margarita bar and comfort animals

  1166. I say have library ladders that anyone can use (not just shop employees). How fun to slide across the wall…find your book…pet a ferret.

  1167. I think I understand Victor’s vision for a bright, new, shopping center-y location…and maybe that makes the most sense business wise. Bit as an introverted book lover, sometimes the idea of going into a shopping center to get to the bookstore becomes overwhelming and I end up not going at all. A stand alone space that’s welcoming and easy to get to on days when I don’t have the energy for a lot of interaction appeals to me. Whatever you decide I’m wishing you the best…it sounds like it will be a haven and a sanctuary-and all the things a bookstore should be.

  1168. OH EM GEEE! I want to open a book store/coffee shop/study hall!
    You need lots of electrical outlets! And coffee! I loved to study in coffee shops but a book store would have been so perfect!

  1169. (this might be a duplicate because of a glitch)

    CONGRATULATIONS JENNY!!!! This is such a huge and exciting wonderful step! Book lovers make the BEST book store owners 🙂

    On another note: I am a professional interior designer, i’ve done nearly every project type there is, and I would be delighted to help you in any way that I can (all free of charge)–whether it is space planning, or finishes, or just someone to bounce ideas with. You and this community have provided me with so much hope and support through the years, I’d love to give back.

  1170. This is so wonderful, congratulations! I was born in San Antonio and lived in Boerne until I was 2. I still have family out there so we visit on occasion. I did consider moving there recently, maybe I could apply to work at your store?;) Also, super random, but have you ever been to the Brighter Days Horse Refuge? It’s in Pipe Creek and my grandparents founded it. If you haven’t you should go and pet and feed some horses.

  1171. This is so exciting! I have at least one fond memory of being a preteen in NYC and wandering into a bookshop on West 72nd Street in which there was a children’s section with comfy chairs (not the comfy chair!). The sales people allowed me to read an entire book – I’m talking a 125-page YA novel – at my leisure and did not glare at me for not buying anything. Now, I realize this is not a profit-making business model, but…

  1172. Yes! Haunted (but not by a poltergeist) Victorian–no malls! Tea and scones, please. Store cat(s) and ferrets. Contrary to popular belief, correctly socialized ferrets don’t bite. Daisy was extremely sweet and never bit. She liked to snuggle up inside my bathrobe on Sunday morning after playing with the cats.

  1174. There is a new local bookstore opening later this month in Georgetown, TX. It is co-owned by ten local women, some of whom are writers. They won’t have a business history, but definitely will have a business plan that they might be willing to share. They will have a bistro and may have pointers on refurbishing an existing space.
    website https://www.larkandowlbooksellers.com/
    facebook https://www.facebook.com/larkandowlbooksellers/
    So happy that you are pursuing your dream!

  1175. Looks like a road trip will be in order. Congratulations on your plan. It sounds amazing.

  1176. This is my dream too! I used to work in a local bookstore, and it was the best job I ever had!

  1177. I get so aggravated at B&N that they won’t let the public use their computer to figure out what weird section they’ve placed a book in. I don’t want them to drink my coffee or eat my cookies! I know how to use an OPAC, I DO NOT want to have talk to someone to punch in a title to find the book I want! Let me find it and provide good signage. Classic example, was looking for Tranny by Grace. Was it in Autobiographies? No. Was it in the “Rock & Roll/Music section? No. Oh where was it? There’s two shelves of LGBTQ everything hidden next to history. WTH?

  1178. Oh my goodness this is my dream too! I am so excited for you, and is it weird that I want to travel to San Antonio for your opening day? Because I do and I will. I totally want to move to San Antonio for this and I like seasons. And I vote for the Victorian. With parking.

  1179. Check out The Book Loft of German Village in Columbus, OH. It is one of the neatest places I have ever seen and I suspect it would be right up your alley. It is a labyrinth of rooms and books are everywhere. On a larger scale, Book People in Austin is also fabulous. Bigger than what you are thinking but cool to walk through for ideas. My all-time fave, however, is Bookmans in Tucson, AZ. Make sure to check that out, too. It is a used book place (plus lots of other stuff) and totally quirky. As for what I look for: Lots of comfy places to sit that are off the beaten path. A good children’s section. I also like a place that sells more than books. (Think: Puzzles, cards, notebooks, calendars, etc.)

    …and now I will also be looking for cats. Hard pass on the ferrets, though. 😉

  1180. This is beyond amazing! I live in San Antonio and always daydream about helping my wife open a book store! She has an amazingly strange love of books! Anyhow I’ll keep and eye out and would love to help, I’m kinda retired (disabled😣) and would love to help anyway possible. If you need anything you can contact me at friojas.works@gmail.com– BTW, and m not some sleaze ball trying to sell or scam something, I just really wanna see this take of! Much love and respect❤️ Oh! And P.S., thanks for inadvertently helping me cope with stuff by reading what you’ve written!

  1181. You just described about half the elements of an art store I go to. So I know your bookstore will be brilliant because that model totally works! Seriously this art shop has supplies, and places to work, and tea, and classes, and groups, and a house cat, AND adoptable kittens. I go there for classes and a Creative Entrepreneurs support group. An amazing children’s bookstore near us is Hicklebee’s. They do a lot of outreach programs with schools, set up author visits, run book clubs. They’re friendly too if you want to pick their brains.

  1182. Victor is crazy. Why on earth would you want a plain old boring bookstore that any chain could run? The magic always happens in dark, cramped shelves in a room full of nooks and crannies, with an eccentric shopkeeper, an animal familiar (I vote cat) and a questionable location (If you can swing it one that randomly appears where no bookshop was the moment before is preferable. And fog. Get some fog for your entrance.) Make sure your ghost is one of the quiet ones. Wouldn’t want it interrupting the reading, after all.

  1183. My all time favourite bookstores are used bookstores. I love the smell, the cramped spaces, comfy old chairs to curl up in, classical music playing. Used bookstores always felt like the place Alice could fall down a hole, that you can disappear and have an adventure.

    Kid´s places. My favourite place to read when I was little was under blanket in a fort. Could you have something where kids can curl up, hidden enough to have that feeling of being separate..

    I teach crochet at my local library. That would be so cool to see at a bookstore!

    What a wonderful idea! Bookstores are the SHIT!!

  1184. OMG love this idea! Wish I was closer to San Antonio, but will for sure visit you once you are up and running!

  1185. Working at a bookstore is my life long dream! Are you sure the store has to be in San Antonio. It would be a lot cooler if you opened a bookstore in Austin. I’m thinking that you could rent an old Victoria house somewhere near the South Congress tourist area and it would be perfect.

  1186. One word PARKING! This is San Antonio and we have to drive to get anywhere!!! Best of luck with this new adventure!
    Ella

  1187. OMG – definitely the old Victorian (I’m still undecided on the haunted part – maybe if you salt the doorways so they can’t follow me home?). We are losing our lone bookstore in town and it is very sad – we used to judge the town on the bookstore to tattoo parlor ratio (my daughter has plenty, I’m not judging) and the parlors were always ahead – now they are alone and it is very sad. Bookstore cats, dogs, and ferrets! Victor must be wrong – who doesn’t love carpet sharks?!

  1188. My best friend and I have been talking about taking our yearly “adventure” to San Antonio for ever…. and now it needs to wait just a little bit longer, because no way can I come to San Antonio before your store is open.

  1189. This is amazing! I love all the ideas and wish I lived closer to visit and support your new business.

  1190. Ok I had a dream that I was there and I fell asleep in a chair with a blanket, fuzzy socks , and a purring cat. I woke up and yelled “Cat Nap Room!” Like a little side room for people who notoriously fall asleep after page one and want a nap. Charge for a power nap with a cat 😂

  1191. Please no animals. In Saint Paul, Minnesota we have a great big,old & new bookstore with cats. Nothing wrong with cats, but the place smells of cat urine when though they empty the litterbox all the time.

  1192. My favorite bookstore was a place called “The Book Den East”. It was (and maybe still is?) a massive used bookstore in an old barn on Martha’s Vineyard. Two stories, multiple rooms, full of stacks and stacks of old, used, and new books. So if possible, maybe include a section (or room! In the back! Or upstairs!) for stacks of used books…?

  1193. How exciting! Now I have to move or FOMO forever. You have to sell the items from your online store – or just stuff that YOU make. And sell Blue Q products: https://www.blueq.com/. I think they fit with you.

  1194. My favorite bookstore is 7 hours away from me, Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais, MN. (https://drurylanebooks.indielite.org/) Though tiny, it packs a punch of amazing books. I usually get a couple of good new fiction books to read on the beach of Lake Superior each time I go for a visit. Although I only visit about once every other year, the manager of the store REMEMBERS me each time. That’s the key: get to know your repeat customers, and make the new ones feel as if you already know them. You’re gonna do great!

  1195. I vote for all of the above great comments. No carpet, cats, good lighting, cozy corners, friendly people, good parking, etc. Not so sure about the ferrets but the otters could be fun unless they get the books wet. My contribution is to make sure it is differently-abled accessible with wide aisles, no stairs, adequate bathrooms and a poodle with which to cuddle. Can’t wait until it opens and I can visit! I offer up my sister, who has a Master’s in library science, as an employee and I will volunteer to help out with events. Good luck and best wishes fulfilling your dream!!!

  1196. Nothing says ‘local business’ like a space for routine live music, sometimes played by local bands who don’t yet really know what they’re doing! Alternate them with bands who have a clue.

  1199. Our local bookstore sounds suspiciously like what you are looking for – it’s even in a strip mall with a Trader Joe’s and it works out just fine. Changing Hands Books in Tempe, AZ – they built it right next to a Panera and cut the wall out between the two so they didn’t have to manage the food portion but made it obvious that you could come sit in the bookstore with your treats. I love a cozy bookstore, but not a messy one – which I find a lot of used bookstores are messy. And while it’s fun to imagine piles of books everywhere, it’s not very practical when you actually want to find a book and I certainly don’t want to have to ask someone (speak to people?!!?).

    I know a physical store sells physical books, but are you thinking of making something special for those who like to keep the clutter in their house down with e-books? I’m not sure what that would really be, but I do enjoy going to a bookstore to browse, but purchasing the e-book. It always makes me feel a bit guilty. If there was a way to purchase the e-book so that the bookstore got part of the profit, I would feel less guilty about it. Amazon doesn’t need more money! If you have an online presence that sells and ships, could you also build in e-book purchases? I don’t know how that impacts the business model or what the investment would be from the business owner to make that possible.

  1200. Bookstore cats are the best. Weird old men who go on crazy rants about politics while checking you out – not so much. (I’m looking at you, bookstore in Leadville, CO) Get cats, avoid hiring a ranting lunatic as a checkout person. Also, a little children’s section with bean bags and things to lure them into loving books at a young age.

  1201. This is perfection! Congrats! Please, please, please consider featuring indie authors (I nominate myself for comedy/humor category). Please have cats that like people. Please carry eclectic stuff that readers would like (like bookmarkers made by readers of your blog). Oh, the possibilities are endless! I live nowhere near Texas, but may have to visit one day when it’s open.

  1202. Here’s what I would love (and this doesn’t really have anything to do with a book store but I would frequently visit a bookstore if it had this): a small, private-ish room where someone can go and video chat with, say, a therapist because they don’t have anywhere private to go and do such a thing. This is currently my situation – my standing appointment with my therapist (she’s in New York, I’m in Oklahoma) is during my work lunch hour. I don’t have enough time to drive home and have the session there, and I have ZERO privacy at my work place, so currently I have to sit in my car while we talk. Having someplace to go where I don’t have to worry about others listening in to my conversation would be a dream come true. I imagine there are others who would appreciate a space like this as well.

  1203. Southtown is RIPE for a bookstore. Rents are high, but places can be found, work with the locals to find one. I have some thoughts… LOVE LOVE LOVE the haunted old Victorian, much better than a sanitized box.

    My all time favorite bookstore was The Earthling in Santa Barbara, CA. It had a big circular fireplace in the middle. It was a community gathering space as well as store. it was one of the early places where you could sit and read (and get hooked on a book to buy it) before B&N came to be.

    My 2nd favorite is a bookstore in Bern, Switzerland, that covers multiple levels. Mainly I love it because the one floor with English books had a plethora of authors that I could never find in the US. African, Asian, European writers – some books in translation, some original in English.

    Oh, and The Strand in NYC, of course.

  1204. Please don’t have shop cats, or other animals! It’s so frustrating for those of us who are super allergic to find out we can’t go into a shop or buy anything because there is animal fur all over the place. Also some people are afraid of animals and would be terrified to walk around the corner and run into an animal at a public store where they shouldn’t have to worry about that. Thanks for listening to my rant 😉

  1205. Number one rule for independent bookstores these days: you must be prepared to run this in the red. You will lose money. That said, do it anyway! If I lived in San Antonio, I would go there every effin’ day.

    My favorite bookstores have all the things you mentioned (cats, old shelves, new books, reading cubbies, writing cubbies, speaking areas), although I have never thought about ferrets, strap-on or otherwise, and how they might fit in. They also have coffee, used books, take trade-ins, have live music sometimes, and employ people who actually read. The best bookstores are high-ceilinged and atmospheric, eclectic and quirky, rather than rubber-stamped and franchised like the ever-present B&N, and may sell the occasional pair of odd bookends or handcrafted cards but does not have a Starbucks inside.

    One writer–reader–fan’s opinionated view.

    —Max

  1206. This is a fabulous idea and something we all need right now. I live in Houston and travel to San Antonio on occasion. But I can think of no better reason than this to jump in the car with my 19-year-old daughter and head the 2-1/2 hours west on I-10. Grayson, my daughter, also writes and struggles with depression and anxiety herself every day. Your writing inspires both of us, and we laugh (and sometimes cry) when reading your insightful posts. Can’t wait for the coming details. Just know we are only sending positive vibes your way from Houston. 💙

  1207. I know you already have a million comments, but Magic City Books (affiliated with Booksmart and the Tulsa Literary Coalition) is cool because they have a million author events with a variety of genres, some big national names, some local authors, and some weird niche stuff (like I was the only person at the Sherlock Holmes pastiche author event). And they have book clubs for various genres. It’s also a nonprofit and has story time and a yearly slumber party, AND they partner with other local places like the independent movie theater, the planetarium, museums, etc. for cool crossover events. AND they sell wine. Okay, sorry. I really love that store.

  1208. Jenny! I am SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. Ferreal. I am 100% down with shop cats/ferrets/assorted mammals. There is a small used book store in Seattle that I visited once upon a time that has shop cats and despite it being filled with incredible books, the cats really sealed the deal for me. Also, please pick me up for a bookmobile road trip when the time comes. I live North of Houston, so, I’m on your way. <3

  1209. Also, margarita machine/bar is A+ in my book. Also, LOTS of cozy seating. That’s the thing that bums me out the most about chain stores (and other independent shops) – minimal to no seating. And maybe a plethora of “Quiet Please” signs. XD

  1211. Parnassus Books is a lovely bookstore which another of my favorite authors (Ann Patchett) is behind. Book clubs and signings bring folks in and there’s a dog to pet and talk to. They sell T-shirts and I think it would be great if you sold merch so we can easily identify fellow Bloggess fans!

    (I love them. ~ Jenny)

  1212. I vote for the Victorian with cats, coffee, wooden bookshelves, donuts, comfy chairs and I’ll come visit San Antonio!

  1213. Can I please drive the bookmobile? I (sometimes, I’m not the main person) drive my library’s (I do work there, I’m not just hi-jacking it) bookmobile which is RV size – I even have the C class license! I promise I’d be so good at it 🙂
    Everything about this post is amazing! Especially the books – and the cats.

  1214. Coffee and food. And a hood kid area where the moms can sip coffee and look at a book while the kids shop for books and play games. ( This is often how I make their birthday and Christmas lists).
    Without judgement. My fav bookstore has the kid area upstairs away from the grown up stuff. And we don’t feel judged there.

  1215. Fabulous! Everything here! We all want all of your ventures to be wildly successful and will support in every way possible. What great news! Good for you!

  1216. A large table in a well lit area that people could come and fiddle around with a puzzle that’s in progress.

  1217. That is amazing. I love a meandering floor plan myself, it’s so much cozier. I can get a big open well lit space at Barnes and Noble. That’s not what I want when I go to an indie. My favorite is Wild Rumpus here in Minneapolis. They have chickens and cats running around, plus bird cages, a tarantula, rats, chinchillas, lots of other animals. The ceiling has a boat on it in ‘water’. There is a creepy well decorated cave set up where all the horrorish books are kept that has a cage in the floor where you can look through the glass at critters, rats and such. Make it personal, with interesting original art, stuff we can’t get at a big box. You can do this thing. It’s going to be so great!! https://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/

  1218. Incredible thoughts. Not sure I could add much, but am excited to see you and this community grow into this…totally awesome and doodley!

  1220. So one of my favorite books stores where I live in Columbus Ohio is called the BookLoft and one of the reasons why I love it is because it’s literally and bunch of buildings they bought and cobbled together to make one giant bookstore (it takes up an entire city block I think). It’s so much fun to twist and turn through all the sections and little nooks to find surprises. You don’t get that in a conventional bookstore. Therefore, I vote haunted Victorian all the way! Also yes to animals. If people don’t like your bookstore they can be lame and go to Barnes and Nobles instead lol.

  1221. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE a coffee bar and tables for playing chess! And perhaps live music evenings?

  1222. I recently read “The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted”. Such a lovely story. One of the main characters is a Holocaust survivor who opens a bookstore in rural Australia.
    There was a Little Professor book shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When I was little, she’d drop me off there while she went to Kmart. The ladies had no problem looking after this quiet little bookworm.

  1223. I’m usually priced out of normal bookstores, but I love used book shops! I’d come to hang out at your store, but I’d love if it could manage a used book area.

  1224. I LOVE this idea! I will be sure to come by. Request: get someplace with a big parking lot, because I am THE WORST at parallel parking. 🙂
    Maybe have a space where various people can have a pop-up?

  1226. I know there’s a lot to see and do in San Antonio, but your bookstore is the one reason I would actually visit. I think all bookstores should have a resident ghost.

  1227. LOVE IT!! Hooray! Please have comfy chairs and/or couches AND places to prop your feet up – preference given to smallish ottomans that can double as extra seating and ferret storage.

  1228. My request: No animals, please?

    I’m allergic to cats. When I go over to friends’ houses, they have to make sure to vacuum whatever room I’ll be hanging out in a few times. My tabletop group has a special chair for me that they lock up in a no-cat room. I have to wash my hands constantly because whatever I touch may have dander on it and if that dander gets into my face, that’s it for the day.

    A local bookstore had a store cat, and I had to stop going there. Even if I was careful, whatever I brought home was like a ticking time bomb for me.

  1229. Soft lighting is key!!! Natural light is obviously best, but I would say the things that really make me feel good in a bookstore are the lighting, being able to move through the aisles without bumping into anyone or any displays, and pairing it with a little cafe corner is always super lovely – even if all they serve is hot coffee and chocolate chip cookies. Simple is always better, as long as it looks neat and clean and the people are friendly!

  1230. I’m not sure if you stop reading comments after the fiftieth post? 🙂 But I would love to see teens get more interested in going to bookstores. Maybe host a teen-inspired event once per week (your daughter can help)? Adults love books and libraries. But who will continue once all of us book lovers (who actually read books with pages, rather than on some sort of device) become the ghosts who haunt your bookshop? 🙂 I’d love for teens to make bookstores a thing. 🙂

    (Still reading! ~ Jenny)

  1231. YES!!! I live in San Antonio and I would drive to where ever you open this bookstore! Comfy big chairs to curl up definitely. Can we sell/donate our old books to the shop to clear out inventory in order to make room for more books we buy from you? I think I’m at the “you’re not allowed to buy more without getting rid of some” rule with my current book inventory.

  1232. This sounds AMAZING!!! I so want to design this and am incredibly jealous of whomever you work with on this space. It sounds like a work-share/ community space (with a little haunting and taxidermy thrown in), which seems so exciting and the type of environment that creative spaces really support. I’m Dallas and not SA, but I am so excited for you and to see how your dream materializes. So much luck and good vibes your way.

  1233. Jennie, my fav bookstore in West Seattle sells mushrooms on occasion, that have been foraged by one of the co-owners. He will also recite a recipe on some of the best ways to prepare them. Love Pegasus Books! And I love that you are doing this So brave and exciting. Bonne chance!
    Wanda

  1234. Since I work evenings, my favorite bookstores are all open till super late (like, 10pm or midnight) and have coffee available at similarly insane hours. But whatever you do will be awesome!!! I really hope my band will tour through your area at some point & I can stop by!!

  1235. This is fantastic news! Best wishes on the journey – I’d happily come to a bookstore you ran.
    I checked in with a fellow writerly bookish friend of mine; here are two ideas:
    1. Incredible staff who are well-read. Their day includes 1 hour of paid reading time.
    2. Creative grouping of books beyond genre and alphabetical. For instance, if you like this author, then try that one out.

  1236. AAAA! I’m so excited for you! Now I can’t wait to visit San Antonio in a few years. My gosh, book store ideas. I’ve never been to one where I’ve felt comfortable. I’ve always felt like if I opened a business, it would involve a wall of books, a small stage for a soloist to perform once a week, ambient lighting for evening hours, and a wall dedicated to coffee, tea, soda, & water. Everything would be self serve, so that I wouldn’t need to hire a barista. I’d simply purchase a few Keurig type machines, a couple of regular coffee pots, and offer flavor pods & creams from a small vending machine. There would be chairs & sofas, a couple of small tables, and a couple of gigantic bean bags. Then I’d have a couple of essential oil diffusers going to add to the atmosphere. Anyways, it’s all about what you’ve envisioned, right? Go with your gut and simple ideas to start. Things will evolve from there. Love you!

  1237. The Book Store concept has had to adapt over the past few decades to think beyond books as a way to bring people in. My favorite book stores are still the ones that focus on well-curated book collections and are run/staffed by people who are passionate about books. They have tables and comfortable chairs that encourage people to lounge around. A coffee machine is a bonus. A kids section is a must.

    If it’s YOUR bookstore, we’ll all expect an interesting, unique (and tax exempt as they’re store displays) collection of oddities hanging on the walls and sitting on shelves.

    The other part of this is that a bookstore has two sides — the book buying/selling side and the financials/accounting side. You want to be involved in one side but probably not the other. You’ll need a good, solid, and committed staff to make this work.

    This is pretty danged exciting. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

  1238. So exciting!! A kooky old house in Monte Vista or Alta Vista would be great! Maybe something on San Pedro, near the park? Or in a walk-able strip center-type area, like Blanco/W Elsmere Pl?Can’t wait!

  1239. Reading nooks with blankets and tiny bean bags that you can put in a microwave to warm up and put under your blanket. Also, a sign that says: LOUD MOUTH KNOW IT ALLS–GET OUT!

  1240. Let’s see – bookstores I love near me have: rambling stacks over 2 stories and possibly 2 storefronts (Green Apple in San Francisco) (+1 for Victorian style, hidey holes and probably ghosts); a couple have rolling/moveable tables for events (so you don’t need as big a dedicated event space) and to confuse everyone if you’d like. a smaller one near our house in a mall still manages to have comfy wing chairs and a fireplace. Finally, another sells predominantly new books but still has a used book section for raising charity funds (hospice in this case). So quite a variety. All are great. No obvious ferrets or otters; so there’s your niche! 😀

  1241. Oh how I wish I lived near where you will open up your wonderful store! Comfortable furniture and cozy nooks to hide/read in. Coffee or warm drinks for sale if possible. Personal notes about the books, why they are a wonderful/interesting read. Books for all ages! A few plants if the animals won’t eat them and nice sunshine!

  1242. Isn’t it cool how independent bookstores were doomed and now they’re not again? Ahh you are living a lifelong dream of mine! My closest bookstore is 10 miles away and that is too far. Comfy chairs, a big and eclectic periodicals section, coffee either on premise or nearby. Ideally lots of natural light but with some dark and cozy corners.

  1243. There’s a bookstore in Washington, DC that has a full bar and kitchen. I love hanging out there It’s awesome, but an actual restaurant is hard work. If you want to have foodstuffs, I’d probably rent out a counter in the shop to a local coffee & tea vendor, so that they can manage the drinks and snacks. Either that, or set up next to a shop you like so that your patrons can pop next door for their caffeine/food needs.
    Reading nooks are a must, although I’ve never quite understood how they work. Do you have to buy the book first, and then just stay to read it? Is there no obligation to buy after reading? I’ve always stuck to libraries because I’m awkward and don’t know how to approach hanging out in a store all day.
    I’d love to see a large used book section, where people can possibly get a few bucks back for their books before you resell them and get another few bucks yourself. I imagine it would help with shop overhead costs, too?
    I love all of the book group and community ideas, too!

  1245. There’s this book store and champagne bar in Asheville, NC that is the greatest bookshop I’ve ever been into http://batteryparkbookexchange.com/.
    I try to go into indy bookstores in every city i visit and this one just takes the cake. It’s an upstairs downstairs kind of situation and it feels like you’ve walked into a victorian house that someone turned into a bookstore/bar. There are old leather chairs, plush oriental rugs and weird little nooks all over the place, but it’s also light and airy and the people looked at me like i was a little crazy when i said i wished i were cat and could move in immediately (probably because then i couldn’t drink any champagne). There’s also a whole indy mall type thing that’s in the same building and includes a geology shop. It’s freaking amazeballs and I could totally see you having this same type of setup. https://www.grovearcade.com/shopping-dining/battery-park-book-exchange-champagne-bar/

  1246. An old space seems a better space and just say no to malls and strip malls! Blehhh I love all of your ideas. Books, nooks, animals, margaritas, (coffee?), reading chairs, old wood tables, old lamps… it’s going to be fantastic!

  1248. Go with the haunted Victorian!!!, new stuff is nice but so very I don’t know – Meh. So happy for you and all good wishes!

  1249. The best best best bookstore experience I ever had in my whole life was nearly ten years ago at the Battery Park Book Exchange in Asheville, NC (which I see at least one other person has also mentioned above). The first time I went, I don’t know what was going on, but there was this haphazard sort of book sale happening in a downstairs area, where there were racks and shelves and stacks of books. A bunch of things weren’t even priced yet. It was fairly quiet and dark and basically perfect.

    Anyway, I found one of my most prized possessions down there, which is a pocketish-sized copy of Baedeker’s London and Its Environs WITH ALL ITS MAPS STILL IN from 1894. The cover is a little ripped and the pages are slightly warped but it is honestly just about the best thing I have ever found anywhere.

    The other place I have very fond memories of was this little used bookstore in Stratford, Ontario that I stumbled into while on a school trip in college. Again, stacks of books in a haphazard fashion throughout the store. Apparently, what I really like is random disorder and feeling like I could at any point stumble upon a pre-World War I guidebook to my favorite city or an iffy translation of the Necronomicon. Take that as you like.

  1250. So excited for this! My favorite bookstore is Changing Hands in Phoenix, AZ, where I’m from. What I think makes it great is that it’s a real community space, not just a place that sells books. They have community events/author talks/childrens programs all the time, and a little attached coffee shop/bar where people can read/work/hang out. Making the space a place to spend time instead of just “get in make a purchase and leave,” really makes it a place I visit every time I go home. Also, they have both new and used books, and a punch card system. This may sound silly, but for me it really helps me be able to afford books, which in turn makes me spend more time there because they actually have books I can afford.

  1251. Like this

    “The truth is that even big collections of ordinary books distort space, as can readily be proved by anyone who has been around a really old-fashioned secondhand bookshop, one that looks as though they were designed by M. Escher on a bad day and has more stairways than storeys and those rows of shelves which end in little doors that are surely too small for a full-sized human to enter. The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read.”

    ― Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!

  1252. My favorite bookstore had gleaming hardwood floors that made a satisfactory noise when walked on, smelled like fresh coffee, and was on the warm side of comfortable so always seemed cozy. It was also light with lots of windows and was super clean. I miss it.

  1253. Real light not from lamps not Floresant lighting, (I spell that word always can’t spell it correctly enough that autocorrect will help me) comfy couches like get used comfy giant chairs silly funny signs weird isle titles like for a little isle for cat books the isle can be called PussiesGalore or the LadyGardens Galore if you don’t want bad words. The comic isle can be called Depends Central Biography People who did Stuff and wrote about it. Romance Isle Prentend it’s Real life! Crime thriller dectivy books can be down the Well Better luck hiding the body next time. The self help section People who don’t suck at adulting and wrote a book to teach you how not to suck at adulting. Religion Jesus and his Pals. Horror section Do not Get wet or feed after midnight or you know maybe some Stephan king reference. A picture of a kid in a raincoat and boots and a balloon. Or just refer them to the comedy section to get their depends.

    Coffee. Coffee coffee coffee and more coffee and other drinks for people who can’t have coffee or the weird ones who don’t like it. Waffles! Idky but waffles are like a blank slates of goodness Maybe pastries and fruit and nuts

  1254. I live in the Fort Worth area, but we have family in Kyle. I want to be on your street team, your grand opening gala team, your events coordinator team, etc.
    One of the most successful bookstores I know is in Denton called Recycled Books – a huge sprawling, old, creaky-floor layout with a bazillion used books. It demands an afternoon of browsing.
    There’s a bookstore up here called Wild Detectives that has coffee, alcohol, light bites, events and a patio out back. It has terrible parking but great guest speakers/poets.
    My advice: a combination of art (like Meow Wolf) and exotic drinks and tons of new and used books, and offer a membership for special events so you always have monthly income to count on.
    I

  1255. Not at a mall. Someplace unique and cozy. No ferrets. None. Cats galore.

  1257. I picture a bookstore made up of small little nooks, and one main area. I picture the smell of old books, and coffee, and the murmur of turning pages. And most importantly, I picture a little shop as warn and welcoming as every other corner of the community you’ve brought about.

  1258. There is (possibly was?) a wonderful local bookstore in the small community where we lived in Wisconsin – it was a two-story building and they had a resident cat (or possibly two?). The front windows were always filled with seasonal things – books on fly fishing, kite building/flying, building the perfect dog sled, camping…you get the idea. The stairs were creaky and led to the perfect area upstairs for the kids to flop down into bean bag chairs or a kid-sized sofa and read or play with hand puppets or sit at the kid-sized table and color/read. There was a small area toward the back of the store for anyone who just wanted to sit in a comfy armchair & read. They eventually added a small tea shop kiosk which sold (plain) coffee, tea, and occasionally muffins/scones. They featured local authors – if they knew about them – had poetry readings once a month and booksignings when they could get people in to sign their books. It was just a fun place to go into and hang out – and I kind of hope it’s still there and I’m not remembering it incorrectly…

    While I live in San Antonio now, that bookstore will always hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to seeing your vision come to reality & promise to stop in more than once…

  1259. There was a bookstore in Denver years ago that had big comfy chairs that you could hide in that i loved. Also, space in the aisles of the shelves with small stools to stand on or sit on while browsing.

  1260. I like used bookstores that feel like mazes of books. I love Dickson St. Bookshop in Fayetteville, AR. Surprise ferrets would be a dream for me, and you should totally have them! A crazy knowledgeable staff is nice. Small and cramped and full of character! Ghostly, Victorian doll-centric things scare me though, so I would need a comfort ferret if you go that route.

  1261. Great!!! Seems everyone is excited about your new idea
    And please have a good independent coffee, tea and wine bar!!
    Lots of great ideas flowing from everyone!!
    Enjoy the idea and take time with your process
    as you decide where, what and why of your book store!!

  1262. Flamingoes. Giant metal flamingoes. Like noble yet classy sentinels to your kingdom of knowledge and chicanery they should stand athwart the portal and become harbingers of the coming chest ferrets. Also loads of art. Tap into your local art centers and see about getting on the rota for exhibitions. Most of us start in coffee shops and where ever there is blank piece of wall our uncles third cousin once walked past. It will be amazing. 🙂 And terrifying. And very you.

  1263. YES YES YES–I managed a bookstore for years and I loved it; my heart broke when a young man came in to ask for a card; he thought it was the library. He left without getting a book, because he couldn’t afford it (I gave him directions to the library) so maybe a Little Free Library out front for those who can’t afford the bookstore??? SA is now a destination for me!!! Good luck!!

  1264. Anything that you love, your tribe will love but remember the KISS principle. Coffee & cookies, yes. Ice creams, maybe, seasonally. Don’t go for hot food, the smell is off-putting for more people than not. And it lingers in the books, seriously. Go for it. Enjoy the ride!

  1265. Jenny, may I recommend “What I Found In A Thousand Towns” by Dar Williams? Her observation of how dog parks, open mics, and yes, bookstores, can change the character of towns sounds so much like what you have in mind. A kind, humane way to build communities. I wish you all the luck in the world and know we’ll never let you fall.

  1266. So exciting for you! And us, too – especially us who live in San Antonio! How big a space are you thinking of? The former store on Broadway inside 410 has been vacant several years now – might be too big. A laundromat down the street from me just closed, but it’s small. Real estate prices are rising; you may have noticed there’s a lot of construction going on along Broadway, in Tobin Hill, Alta Vista – places that were cheap a couple years ago. There are spaces that stay empty – but that probably means they’re bad locations.
    I prefer the Victorian to the new, let alone a mall. But on the other hand, malls are struggling so you might get a good rate at one of them. Inside 410, north – northeast side?
    Obviously your fans will come to your store no matter what part of town it’s in. Some of us might be called on to help unpack and shelve books, sweep floors, etc.
    Congrats on preparing to live your dream!

  1269. Bazinga‼️ I had thought my bucket list should have a quick stay in Austin for my taste of TX – and Austin City Limits. Now with this awesomeness coming I guess it will definitely be San Antonio‼️

    The wonderful book stores I have been in are Prairie Lights in Iowa City, IA., and in St Paul The Red Balloon. Ostensibly a kiddies book store but I was always thrilled to go through their front door. And my littles could go through the smaller door in the bottom half. Bette Midler sang us into the magical interior. It was her latest CD at the time. And be careful exploring as you might find yourself standing on a super strong glass observatory displaying a variety of animals beneath the floor. Your pick. Cannot wait‼️

    Wingardium Lavarosa‼️🍀🥰

  1270. Holy shit Jenny—if you’ve read this far you’ve earned that Margarita!! Just know we all want to support you in living your dreams, exciting, scary, fun and all! Here’s to you lady! Thanks for sharing with us.

  1271. Wow! Blessings upon your new adventure. Good on you and Victor for deciding to follow your dream. Bookstore –definitely an old Victorian House as nothing says “Victory!” like finding the perfect book hidden away in a nook and cranny. Mall bookstores just don’t have the Victory ability. Plus a Victorian House you can set your own hours unlike most Mall stores. Definitely comfy chairs and sofas both for customers to look over books and for a place for spouses to sit who just don’t understand the thrill of a book store. Definitely Tea/Coffee and eats– one must keep the blood sugar level of customers up up up (makes for happy customers and not cranky customers). Definitely a house cat or two to keep the mice and vermin away and bring atmosphere to the store. Definitely a house with a lot of parking. Would you also consider having the things you make in your shop available for purchase? Definitely an online book presence for those of us who would like to support you but aren’t able to travel. Enjoy your journey!!

  1273. I am so excited for you and I want to be a part of the online stuff!!! You will be the Best Bookstore Proprieter Ever!! As for what you should or shouldn’t carry: carry what people like! Don’t be one of the way-too-many snobby bookstores that tells me they don’t have the latest paperback by a bestselling romance author because they don’t sell “those kinds of books” never mind they have shelf upon shelf of mystery novels where women are killed by the dozen, but heaven forbid they carry a book where a woman is happy in the end.

  1274. So…yes…this is the only and very best reason why I will be traveling to Texas when this glorious place opens!!!! So excited for you! All of your ideas for this are monumental. Margaritas and books?! Amen!

    I’m telling you…I think this is going to be HUGE for you! Way to go Jenny! Continue following your big beautiful dreams! 🙂 Look what has happened so far!!! Bravo!

  1276. You are inspirational! My favorite bookstore was in Washington, DC where I grew up. It was called the Cheshire Cat and was a children’s bookstore that eventually got bought out by another bookstore down the street- Politics and Prose. I loved it because the workers knew so much about all the books and gave great recommendations. You could sit on the floor and read without anyone hovering over you. It was cozy- the atmosphere was like a giant bean bag.

  1277. Definitely needs to be in a giant haunted(-looking) Victorian. Definitely lots of coziness and not too much light. I say something whimsical but also college library basement-dungeon-ish as far as lighting.

  1278. I love your thoughts!! Especially the one where I can live stream to see events (I live in Louisiana and travel bunches). My favorite bookstore is called 2nd and Charles (Covington LA). The reason I love it is because they sell new and used and they offer a free box for people to take books that would otherwise be destroyed.

  1279. One thing that’s come up lately is accessibility. I would love to see your shop in all these cool places that people keep describing, but if a wheelchair can’t get in (concrete step or stairs, non-accessible door openers, doors too narrow, aisles too narrow with nowhere to turn around, stairs inside with no elevator) – I’d have to stand outside and look in wistfully. It’s a sad fact for me that most small independent bookstores are housed in places I can’t go into, so instead of buying from them I go to to places like Barnes and Noble that have the accessibility I need.

  1280. Haunted Victorian for sure! Big comfy chairs OF COURSE (make sure their mis-matchy)! OH MY GOD I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU JENNY!! AND THE FOR THE WORLD!! I want to come to San Antonio right now and help you start this bookshop!! Hey, when you’re ready to hire book nerds you let us know!! The author events, and the writing cubbies and reading nooks, and everything of it all sounds great!! The local shop here has book clubs and the participants get to choose the books. I suggest that. 🙂

  1281. This makes me wish I lived in Texas!!!
    I think the feather boas are a good idea — as a sale item!
    Also cool, unusual bookmarks. And fun reusable cloth bags, to haul around the booty in!

  1282. Me to Husband : we’re going to have to go to San Antonio at some point.
    H: is there more to the story or do you randomly want to visit San Antonio all of a sudden?
    Me: one of my favorite authors is opening an independent book store and I want to meet her. We’ll be BFFs.
    H: you realize the odds of her being there when we are are slim right? And you don’t talk to people you don’t know.
    Me: don’t ruin this for me.
    H: sigh, eye roll Ok dear.

  1283. A large table with chairs all around (like in Grisham movies about law schools) so one can sit and peruse the offerings

  1284. Baked goods, but real ones (homemade though not necessarily in your home), not the mass produced type, basic beverages, wooden shelves, a shop animal, nooks and crannies. I do like a small variety of puzzles or word games. One of my favourite shops has used books and brand new ones living side by side on the shelves. Cozy spaces and places to have small groups in to chat; book clubs, sure, but knitters, gardeners, recipe swaps, etc.

  1285. Ann Patchett owns a bookstore in Nashville. Maybe she could share tips on the marriage of writing and owning a bookstore. Whatever you do, it will be awesome because it’s your baby.

  1286. maybe a used section would be nice….my fave shop where I live is a used book store and when they have overstock they have awesome $1.00 book sales. Also they give a free used book to anyone on their birthday. And they put up little free libraries, and are starting a literacy foundation with the local school district-there are so many amazing things you can do with books!!!!
    So awesome you are doing this Jenny 😉 <3

  1287. How exciting! I’m glad you will be having on-line events. Go for the old Victorian house, but with convenient parking. There is a small used bookstore nearby that I think is the “cat’s pajamas”. It is an old Victorian house, but has been used for a variety of businesses. At one point, it was a brothel and is haunted, possibly by the former madam. Kitties are available to pet. There is a small expresso bar which you can order delicious drinks and locally sourced food. There are mismatched tables and chairs and couches to get comfy on. They welcome community events, poetry readings and a writers group. The bookshelves are not cramped and are well-organized which makes it a pleasure to browse. There are artsy objects throughout. The owners are friendly and knowledgeable. If I had to add one thing to the perfect book store, it would have occasional live music.

  1288. Places for readers to hide away in cubbies and shop cats are the first two items on my wish list.

    Also a bulletin board.

  1289. Don’t know what area of SA you’re in but the King William neighborhood has funky old spaces still, although it’s trendy AF and probably exorbitant but maybe not. Worth a look at least? Be sure to have lots of The Bloggess branded stuff for the unique factor.

  1290. Set up a system where children can ‘earn’ books by reading books. Family story time? A place where children are encouraged to write their own stories? A point system for reading and recording books to be donated to hospitals or rest/convalescent homes? Btw, I think you’ve been in my head because when I can’t sleep, I build things in my imagination and one of my favs is a bookstore in a Victorian house where each room is a different theme! OH!! And a drive up window for those rare occasions where you want to give a book but you’ve got a car full of ferrets and can’t leave them unattended. Also, monthly book themed lunches. I really have thoughts on this 🙂 Don’t get me started on the rentable reading ‘huts’ in the backyard…

  1291. Good lighting, a must. My own crusade is to get more young people reading, especially boys, at all ages. Don’t forget the ones that come to reading very late. Hold events that excite readers at ages when technology starts to encroach and hijack other creative impulses. Also, please make connections between the city and the books. There’s no better way to learn about a place than reading novels and stories that have a strong relationship to place. I work pro bono on a program at a university where we send undergrads on for credit courses where they do nothing but read books in the places where they are connected. Its a powerful, important program because it truly immerses the students in a book. There’s nothing like the feeling to read a novel in the place, to understand a city from the inside out. It’s an important part of a brick and mortar store, in my opinion, to be the place to find the figurative brick and mortar.

  1292. Make it easy to find the book I want, ideally without having to ask someone for help. Have a map. (Some books can be in many categories: YA, Mystery, Romance, Humor, Fantasy.) Provide those rolling step stools so I can reach the books on the high shelves. Chairs so I can take my time deciding whether I want the book. They don’t have to be huge, or soft, just something I can sit on and get up out of again. Tables are nice and keep books off the floor. Malls have parking space and sprinklers already built in. If you wind up in, or better, near, a mall (to get overflow traffic), just name the store “The Haunted Victorian” and decorate that way. No animals, too many people are deathly allergic.

  1293. I love overstuffed chairs hidden between stacks to just sit down and read but also not too much lighting because then I get to nervous people are looking at me. Also love the cats and ferrets thays deffinitely a must. Not enough bookstores have them. Also I’ve never seen this in a store only read it but I think it’s really cute to have reviews of books on the shelves but written by friends/visitors/random people not magazines so off gives a more personal feel and could also be quite charming and funny. I’ve never wanted to go to Texas before but when this store opens you know I’ll have to book a flight there because it sounds like it’ll be amazing. Love your work!! xx

  1294. Your ideas sound wonderful & remind me of our favourite bookshop in Asheville NC,The Book Exchange. It sell a mix of new and 2nd hand books, had lots of places where you can sit and read to see if you want the book, dogs are welcome. They have a cafe/bar and you can wander round with your coffee or glass of wine. There’s a big spec upstairs for events. It’s a wonderful place! Good luck with your venture!

  1295. I got so excitied reading your plans for a book store (& book mobile !) I had to go and fix a cup of tea.
    Fav bookstores and why – Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope, PA (Farleysbookshop.com/home) and R.J. Julia in Madison, CT (rjjulia.com)
    Both shops have brilliant staff that can figure out what book you are looking for even if you don’t have all the correct words for the title and may not clearly remember the authors name. And they aren’t judgy when they help.
    Farley’s HAS SO MANY BOOKS of all types piled on all these shelves that aren’t too high and in funny little rooms. They have a shop cat! And the most unique card selection for so many occasions.
    R. J. Julia, besides really fabulous cinnamon brioche, has lovely little cubby like rooms for different subjects. They have small hand written signs around the shop with staff picks with reasons why and brief descriptions in case you are too shy to talk to a real person. R.J.Julia also has a cafe (where the wonder aforementioned cinnamon brioche is) but it’s in the back so as not to distract from quiet book searching in the cubby like rooms.
    Both shops have a small section of whatsits and dodas so you can do all your Christmas stocking and Easter basket shopping there too so then you just have to go to a chocolate shop and be done and get back home.
    May I suggest for your shop – in the children’s section there should be a place with a small door that tall people can’t easily get through for children to have a private reading space. (Escape hatch available for staff in case of emergency).
    Also, if you have a cafe please serve good tea. (No bags)

    I think people have come to expect shop cats in bookstores. And in your bookstore – I would think ferrets and even sloths would be expected.

    Such Fun! I am looking forward to this adventure of yours.

    Best Wishes,
    Sarah

  1296. Jenny, this is the most exciting news I can think of. Obviously you’ll need
    a shop cat or two.

    A cozy place
    to sit, preferably with Natural or fake fireplace (unless Texas is never cold).

  1297. Deep breath….then exhale with a shout of joy! I’m so excited for you, Jenny, because of the awesomeness that your bookstore will exude! Its life breath will be YOU, filling every corner and cubby with your fantastic oddities, whimsical curiosities, and your lifelong affection for the words and phrases that spin the Ordinary, the Scary, the Confusing, and the Loving into vignettes that tickle our funnybones and squeeze our hearts. To be honest, a trip to Texas has NEVER been on my radar. But now, the prospect of your bookstore has made traveling to San Antonio (ALL THE WAY from Hawaii) a token clattering noisily into my shiny bucket list! You have all of our support and ALOHA, Jenny. As far away as Hawaii, I’m already standing in line (or, standing “on” line, more precisely) to join your book club and walk through the virtual doors of your dream!

    P.S. In addition to cats and ferrets, could you also have a corgi who can entertain your visitors? My pipe dream has been to open a small bookshop called, “Brandy’s Nook”, as an homage to my Angel Corgi. I planned to have a section for periodicals called, “Maggie’s Stand”, which sounds sort of like the word, “magazine”, in honor of my sweet rescue pooch. But a corgi: nothing sweeter than a stout and smiling corgi greeting your guests with its wiggling bunny butt!!

  1299. I don’t live near you so I can’t scope out a space, but I am in LOVE with this idea and can’t wait for you to be up and running! I will absolutely make the drive to see it, and be even more addicted to your site I’m sure. Congratulations on this amazing adventure!

    FTR, I LOVE bookstores that have friendly ghosts and big chairs <3

  1300. OMG JENNY. I’ve been a bookseller since I was 16 (over 12 years now) and I work full time in a bookshop where I basically manage our children’s section and do all of our social media and marketing. DM me if you have questions. I AM SO HERE FOR THIS.

  1301. Bear in mind that the taller and longer your bookshelves, the more library-like the space becomes. If you want people to interact, or have sight lines to see others, keep your central bookshelves about 5 foot high. Look up Kramerbooks & Afterword Cafe in Dupont Circle or the Politics & Prose bookstores in the DC area for ideas on how they have their stock arranged.

    Also consider having a little cafe’ or coffee shop (you could subcontract/sublease to another business if you don’t want to take that on yourself). Good luck and I look forward to visiting!

    kramers.com ; politics-prose.com

  1302. This sounds so amazing!!! I wish I lived close enough to visit but Newfoundland, Canada is a bit of a long drive for a family of 5 humans, 2 huskies, and 4 cats… As for ideas, I know it’s a business, and therefore exists to make profit BUT I work in a library so I wonder if perhaps you could have a smallish section where people could bring in books that they are done with and leave them for people who can’t afford to buy books?? Other than that lots of comfy chairs and you absolutely need a ghost 🙂

  1303. I. Love. This.

    Haunted Victorian, definitely. A warren of rooms and nooks and shelves crammed everywhere, but with a big airy front room with display windows to draw you in from the street. And it must have a taxidermy room. And a creepy dollhouse room.

    I really like the idea of a space that works for both introverts and extroverts. Coffee could be served in mugs that say “Go away, I’m reading” (red), or “Ask me what I’m reading” (green), so people will know whether you’re up for being approached today. Because sometimes you want to be in the vicinity of other humans, but you’re not ready to actually interact with them, right?

    Some of what you’re describing sounds like a co-working space, designed especially for writers. If you have the space, maybe you could charge a monthly fee for regular reserve-able workspaces, with access to fast wifi and unlimited coffee and snacks? That could also give you a small dependable income to tide you over during slow sales periods.

  1304. Haunted Victorian house bookstore with ferrets and otters? Best. Idea. Ever!

  1305. You don’t need help from us. What you’ve said so far sounds awesome already. (Especially the cats and kittens) But the ferrets need to be well handled or they can be biters. The otters they can definitely be bitters, I speak from experience. (But it did’t stop them from being my totem animal and a tattoo on my neck…) I digress the store will be great!

  1306. Pingback: James Patterson Donates $1.25 Million to Classroom Libraries: Critical Linking, April 4, 2019 - Mentalreach

  1307. You’ll definitely need some big, squashy chairs! Preferably with wacky upholstery fabric. I also request a romance section, because independent bookstores often overlook that genre (which makes no sense because it’s a huge moneymaker).

  1308. Definitely the Victorian! How many of us have dreamed of filling our entire house with books? Now, you actually can! Also, you could have open areas where people could be more social, plus nook rooms where people could sit for privacy. Oooh, and you could theme the rooms based on the book topics in there – plus, that would let you find perfect places for all those things that you want, but Victor won’t let you bring home. Win! Plus, full kitchen for whatever you want to serve – cookies with book quotes, desserts offered in fantasy books, etc – yum.

  1309. Good Luck, sounds awesome! BIG comfy chairs (not leather), hot drinks and slushy’s, baked goods (don’t forget the gluten free peeps!) human loving cats and dogs. Private space (Leave me alone sign-it’s me, not you) and a public (We love to talk, you’ve been warned) space sounds about right. Have fun!!

  1310. Unfortunately, I am not local, but certainly wish I was. However, I would love a bookstore that has a coffee and wine bar. Cats roaming around is also a plus, along with big, plush comfy chairs. Best of luck!!

  1311. I hope it looks just like Meg Ryan’s bookstore in, “You’ve Got Mail!” Only it should definitely have cats and lots of sweets to choose from!

  1312. My favorite place in my hometown closed down last year–it’s hard to tell really if it was technically a bookstore although you could buy books there. It was more of a cross between a bookstore, a thrift store, a bakery, a coffee shop, a library, and a place to hang out and sit on comfy old couches which may or may not have been for sale, and work thrift store puzzles that were always left out for you and were always missing a few pieces or even play this old out-of-tune upright piano if the mood hit you. There were tables of every size and shape–some covered by puzzles, others by magazines, and even a few board games all set up and ready for you to play. And free wi-fi; their only nod to being a business in the 21st century. I love-love-loved that place but my husband said it was just confusing. He couldn’t tell if you were just supposed to sit around and read free books and magazines or if they were actually trying to sell something and if so, what? (Standing argument on whether or not the piano was for sale.) I thought that’s what made it great. Agree to disagree!

  1313. I think you should partner with a local shelter to have adoptable kitties at the bookstore, not just your bookmobile!

  1314. A friend and I have talked about this as well as a sort of “grand dream” bookstore/library where you can also get a cup of TEA that way you can read while you enjoy your cuppa and if you like the book you buy it ❤️

  1315. A friend and I have talked about this as well as a sort of “grand dream” bookstore/library where you can also get a cup of TEA that way you can read while you enjoy your cuppa and if you like the book you buy it ❤️

  1316. Seattle has a number of great book stores, and if you can make a bookstore work in the home of Amazon then you probably have a good business model (or you’re madly laundering money from something much more “interesting”)

    Third Place Books (https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/): Combination bookstore/coffee shop/restaurant/bar/coffee shop (aka my other office). Carefully curated selection of books plus all of the good vibes from the bar/restaurant/coffee shop. There’s something classy about browsing books while holding a martini. They partner with local restaurants for the food/booze part of things.

    Elliott Bay Books (https://www.elliottbaybook.com/): More of a traditional book store/coffee shop, but they’re in a vibrant, funky neighborhood and are a Seattle institution.

    The Book Larder (https://www.booklarder.com/): Proof you can run a book store devoted to eating and drinking out of a small space (maybe 500 sf). Business model includes a small, but nice kitchen in the middle of the store and fresh baked cookies being readily available.

    I recommend adding a cat, but ferrets tend to get messy drunk if you have a bar of overly hyper if you have a coffee shop.

  1318. YES! Every part of this screams yes!
    I imagine it to be like a darker version of the Book Loft of German Village in Columbus, Ohio (have you been to this place? its a maze of books – https://www.bookloft.com/) with some bigger spaces for classes. What I love about a good book store is the privacy of little nooks where I can consider books I’ve never before thought about…

  1319. I think the biggest thing is make a bookstore you’d love to be in and we will love it too. Everything you described sounds heavenly already. One thing that would be cool is if you had a little used books area for folks who can’t afford brand new books.

  1320. I would 100% visit! My favorite bookstore is half-price books, and i always go looking for little things that people leave as bookmarks. I absolutely adore the idea of going to a bloggess bookstore, ferrets, otters and all.

  1321. I love this, Jenny! So very exciting and I’m glad you’re chasing a dream. I love big, comfy chairs in a bookstore. Nooks and crannies. Handwritten cards on why the owner or employees loved a particular book. Something warm or cold to drink. Book club areas . . .

  1322. Cool bookstores have every single book accessible to people who use wheelchairs. And leave out the margarita bar. And if every inch of your store cannot be made accessible, please only hire people who will cheerfully find a way to make every single service of that store in some way available. And offer one of those options like this place has . . .https://www.heywoodhill.com/subscriptions But maybe cheaper?

  1323. This sounds like you want to bring a bit of Heaven itself onto this weary world! I personally and a big fan of chairs, hidden nooks, and pleasant cats about the size of a big rug who want to jump into your lap and keep you warm. Good luck and remember, “Build it and they will come”

  1324. Hope you can find a shop along the river front with a patio for outdoor reading. San Antonio’s weather in pretty inviting for outdoor reading and sipping tea and coffee while watching the boaters pedal past. I was there was 1968, so these riverfront shops may exist mostly in my memory. I hope not. A lovely part of the city. Bought our wedding rings at Zales near that river walk.

  1325. FAB idea! and something I would love to do, all the luck in the world with your plans 🙂 Oh! and fresh brewed coffee available would be great!.

  1326. Congratulations! Love the idea & I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

    1) I live in Houston, so as soon as it’s open, road trip! I’ll come by and buy tons of books and a margarita (who am I kidding? It will be at least two). And if you decide to open a second location elsewhere in Texas… I’m your woman.
    2) I love bookstores where you can buy used & new – before we moved to Houston, we had a local bookstore that sold used & new (they were extremely picky about what they bought, so I don’t think that what they bought used ever sat on the shelves too long) and I loved that place. They also had a very small selection of gifts & such that was awesome. You knew you could pop in last minute and find something perfect for anyone.
    3) Everything sounds awesome – ESPECIALLY the live-streamed events. There’s been so many author events I’ve wanted to go to but I haven’t been able to attend because of lack of childcare – but I’d happily pay $$ to livestream events from my favorite authors.
    4) Can Beyonce the metal chicken make an appearance? (Yes, my sisters & I STILL laugh about that all these years later… especially when I was in Home Goods last summer and they had big metal chickens. I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t get myself one.)

  1327. I love this idea and you. And I don’t want to be a downer. But its frightening how many of the stories of much loved bookshops people are talking about start with “there USED to be this bookstore…” Because ultimately you have to pay the rent or mortgage each month. And as someone who recently built her dream home and now scrambles to pay a mortgage that we really can’t afford or sustain long term, well, let’s just say I wouldn’t wish that pressure on anyone.

    Our local library built a fancy tree against one wall about 12 years ago and kids and adults could crawl inside the trunk and sit on the carpet and lean on pillows and read. Over the next couple of years, the pillows disappeared. Too much kid pee. And then the carpet. And now they’ve renovated the kids’ section and that tree is gone. Just something to remember when you make your choices – may everything washable and wipeable.

    It’s the same thing with all the food and coffee (that honestly I think are needed in order to financially carry the bookstore – do you notice how many people say they will come and read all day? Very few mention spending a chunk of cash). If you have new books people get food all over them and break the bindings and make the new books unsellable at new prices. What people have described above is day camp for adults. Maybe you can sell subscriptions to the club house we all desire instead?

    I want you to be happy. I want there to be bookstores! I want you to survive the experience of owning a bookstore (I just worked in one, back when they were making money, and I still remember the pressures of meeting payroll) without going bankrupt or insane or walking out of there hating people. Sometimes its hard to have everything (re: mortgage above), but I wish you the very best of luck always!!!

  1328. I am certain that this will be buried with the rest of these wonderful comments, but I just want to say that i am so incredibly excited about this! I live very close to San Antonio, and I have been dreaming of meeting you since I was 16. Thank you so so so much for understanding your audience and wanting to create a space to make us feel at home!

  1329. Ok, so Jenny Lawson, this is my second attempt to post a comment for the very first time in my whole life. Just finished reading Let’s Pretend this Never Happened because I didn’t know about you until like last week when I was looking up things like “what’s wrong with me” “how to be happier” etc…I’m frustrated because I thought I posted a huge long comment and then I check back and it’s not there. I won’t type the entire thing again but I will say that it had a lot to do with messenger owls and 3 raccoons named Olivia, Chunky Cheese and Ruby who help themselves to dinner in our dumpster. Oh yeAh, the messenger owls are for the people who do not live near your bookstore. Let me know if you can get any and I will axe out a mail slot for my door. I’m about to start reading Furiously Happy in hopes that it will fix my furiously unhappy problem. I feel like your bookstore needs a castle theme, with torches in the wall as lighting and huge stone fire places and gargoyles.

  1330. I worked in a bookstore for a decade and owning my own is a dream of mine….If you need a manager, I’d move down from Canada! Ok…my family might not agree, but if you get successful and want to branch into Canada, I’m your woman. 🙂

  1331. Tattered Cover in Cherry Creek, CO. I could live there. Go for it!

  1332. The owner of my fave bookstore, now defunct, used to greet customers with a parrot on his shoulder. Best thing ever. I am definitely pro ferret and pro kitty cat. My second fave bookstore, also now defunct, was in an old Victorian house.Books everywhere from the basement to the attic. There was a used section that was filled with treasures.

  1334. Stone Oak-Foursquare….next to Local Coffee and Nothing Bundt Cakes is my suggestion plus it’s in walking distance of my apartment!

  1335. In college I opened up a bookstore that had an art area that was awesome…filled with paints, glues, feathers plus clothespins to leave your work

  1336. I love everything about this idea and my local bookstores are my sacred places along with the forest and the places with yummy food I like.

  1337. I don’t have an ideas that I know of but I do know that San Antonio/your bookshop was just added to my bucket list
    Congratulations!

    ~~Courtney

  1338. Wow! My favorite book stores have comfy chairs and cookies. (So does my house 😉). Now I need to plan a future trip to Texas.

  1339. This is awesome! My favorite thing about independent bookstores–well, besides the fact that they’re independent–is the author events. Will plan on visiting someday! All the best!

  1340. I love a bookstore with big, comfy couches, a coffee bar, and some kind of store pet (I’m partial to kitties, but any store pet would be great!!)!

  1342. Wow! A reason to visit Texas 🙂 I don’t envy you reading 1300+ comments but I guess if you didn’t like reading comments you wouldn’t be a professional blogger. Anyway I would love to see some of the art(?) stuff you’ve collected as part of a bookstore. And I’m sure Victor will get over it if some of that stuff isn’t in your house anymore.

  1344. I’m going to drive cross country to come to this bookstore. Maybe weekly 😉

  1345. I am completely for the haunted Victorian with great coffee and a moody bartender.

  1346. Things we wish we had planned on as a used book store volunteer:

    More work space.
    More work space.
    More work space.
    More book carts.
    Less Patterson novels. Seriously, it’s really obvious how that man saved publishing. We don’t keep duplicates and he still has an entire shelving unit.

    Also, we highly recommend small reading nooks and tiny shopping carts for kids – something that will keep toddlers occupied and out of trouble while their parents shop. NOT a train table, but maybe a busy wall? You could take bottom half of your end cap shelves and fill them with locks and knobs and gears and stuff because they’re too low for displays, but low enough for small hands to discover.

  1347. Ummmm. My partner just made it abundantly clear to me, that we are not going to relocate from Brisbane, Australia to San Antonio…BUT, BUT! …WHYYYYYYY?!? 😩😭😭😭

  1348. Decent coffee,tasty pastries, and chairs that don’t face one another, there is nothing more anxiety inducing than having someone stare at you while you read, or sip your coffee.

  1349. This is a wonderful idea. My favorite bookstore is called BookPeople in Austin, TX. It’s large and 2 stories, but I get lost in there. I have bought tons of books and other things such as incense, a kaleidoscope, day of the dead sugar skulls. It’s all about opening doors. Great good luck with your newest project. hugs

  1350. What a terrific idea, Jenny! Now I have a good reason to visit San Antonio! Thank you for sharing your big news — this makes me happy. =)

  1351. Bathrooms that aren’t right next to a seating area. Seating should be easy to clean- or easily replaceable. There will be bodily fluids, there’s no way around that. There should be lots of outlets-

  1352. This is amazing! I’m so happy for you! I love bookstores! My favourite one had comfy sofas by a fireplace but I live in Canada and you live in Texas so maybe not. Lots of little comfy nooks. Maybe a coffee corner? I’m excited for you!

  1353. When I first pictured your store I immediately thought of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. Totally worth a read if you haven’t yet.

    I totally agree on a real bell at the door and easy to remove price tags.

    I didn’t know indie book stores came without cats but maybe you could compromise and have a ghost cat?

    Also, you mentioned a space for writers. Maybe a typewriter or two that could be rented out? They have a magic all their own.

    Also maybe a small grab bag style book bin? Wrap the books in plain brown paper and sell them for a few bucks. People love surprises. I’ve seen it work with beer and candy, why not books?

    There is a book store in Cape May, NJ that used to be a bank. It’s fairly antiseptic as far as books stores go but it is kinda cool to walk into the old vault.

    I love comic books. Like comic strip comic books. (Think Calvin & Hobbes or Bloom County for example) I judge a book store on their humor section as many places don’t bother with these.

    Have you ever heard of Story People by Brian Andreas? He has books and prints that seem like they’d fit right in.

    Maybe a curated list of other cool San Antonio spots to hit if you’re in town? Sounds like you are gonna create a whole lot of out of state (and country) visitors.

    Lastly – I’m already reading a new book thanks to your post. Someone mentioned how they hoped the employees would be helpful and gave an example of if you liked Beat the Reaper (which I did) you should read Duane Swierczynski (which I now am)
    So thanks 🙂
    And good luck! You totally got this.

  1354. My favorite bookstore is Politics and Prose is the DC area. Main floor is wide open with lots of light. Downstairs are two pokey rooms. One is for children’s books with an incredible staff who give you recommendations if you ask even if it’s for yourself. I can’t remember what books were in the other room but it had a big wooden table with lots of chairs where you could bring in your coffee and muffin from Marvelous Market next door and hunker down with a pile of books and peruse for as long as you wanted. Even easier once they opened the Cafe at the back downstairs so you can have a sandwich too.

  1356. Firstly, you are living my dream! Congrats to you on this amazing news! Whatever you create will no doubt be quirky and brilliant and wonderful. I love Shakespeare & Co in Paris for its brilliant curation, separate rooms & cozy spaces and sweet sleepy store cat. Dream bookstore is definitely carefully curated, cozy reading and writing nooks, animal friendly…and byob!

  1357. A cozy bookstore sounds wonderful. So nice to be able to read in a comfy chair/couch/hammock with a kitty or four. Do not get me started on the joys of ferrets, but maybe not wondering freely in a store where they will attempt escape at every opportunity. As for location: wherever the shop is, make sure people can find you easily. (I worked at a place where when we gave directions people STILL got lost because streets changed and interchanged names.)

  1359. Also, if “Very On Brand” isn’t the name, it should at least be a by-line! xx

  1361. The best part about a great bookstore are creaky wooden floors (maybe not Victorian House but an older building in an area being revitalized or near the boardwalk…you need something other than your own awesomeness to draw in cash), cat yes – sorry ferret no (they smell and are like a kid..into everything! I just want to sit and veg or read a book and not have my 3 yr old or 54 yr old asking mommie for 10 things at once!!! and your ferret lose would be another kid…and I wouldn’t come back – sorry but truth is book stores are heaven and an escape), comfy chairs that you can pull your feet up into and snuggle in to read (and Victor trust me fake leather or leather because you do not want funky smells from drinks spilled on cloth nor the cleaning bill (PS Victor – um rainy shoes or no shoes and stinky feet…so even if you don’t do drinks you still get funky cleaning bills) – leather you lysol wipe and done).

    As for location, here in Spokane we have B&N in the mall and yeah it gets foot traffic because it’s in the mall but your not their for the bookstore your there for some other list. And they even removed all their comfy chairs so now just a couple hard wooden benches. But you do have to make sure people aren’t using yoru new books as their library- they will come in and read a whole book if you let them. Interruptions cause those people to buy or leave.

    We also have Auntie Anne’s, its in an old building downtown with creaky floors, friendly staff and an area upstairs for drinks (hot and cold) along with reading and writing nooks so the typical come in and look for a book people are on one level and the loungers are on another. And they like to change things up, so they move bookcases around or just move sections of books around, some people hate this but often you find yourself presented with something you otherwise might not see.

    Used book space is great as you can offer lower cost books, but you have to determine from the start how much space they get and honestly, not every book will be bought a second time. And how many copies of a single Nora Roberts book do you need on the shelves? Or how many gardening books? If you do used books, define the space, set a maximum number of copies of a single book – create a way to track your used books (Victor might help with Access or Excel) and then stick to it. I think they bought used books at like 10 or 20 % of the original book price. Just because someone comes in offering crochet techniques from 1947 doesn’t mean you buy it from them. The used book store i went to in Virginia, you got store credit only…no cash. Then you could use your credit on the purchase of some other book new or used.

    Good luck in your store – but compromise with Victor and go half way….some old building in an area they are rebuilding but near the tourists because we all have to slip away from the family to see a bookstore. 🙂

  1362. Soooooo excited for you and So sad for me not living there! Im thinking it has to be the haunted Victorian, but there is no reason you can’t create that within a modern shopping center – I mean you need the foot traffic, am i right? Where ever you decide, it MUST BE AUTHENTIC JENNY. You know what Im talkin’ bout…love you girl – and GO FOR IT. I guess i will have to visit virtually for now.

  1363. As a reader from the Netherlands, used to biking everywhere,.. Make sure people can reach it unsupervised by bike of by walking. This will make a great place for kids to come without their parents. If they can come by themselves,… This will increase your foot traffic (pun intended) and help kids and dis-advantaged adults to have a place to read and talk to people who read.

  1364. I vote for the Victorian with a friendly ghost, places to sit and to peruse books, or read something I just bought AND where i can safely set down my beverage while I’m reading… and please don’t forget not all caffeine addicts want coffee, LOL! And when the bookmobile becomes reality, please visit Port O’Connor – or at least publish a schedule somewhere so I can drive to where you are. Our nearest big city (Victoria) doesn’t have a bookstore any more either; so so sad! But at least my little town has an awesome and brand new library! Good luck on your new venture – sounds awesome!

  1365. I’m so in love with this idea! I wish I lived in Texas because I would probably come and live in your book shop. 🙂

    I’ve had similar ideas/dreams for my own book shop and also for a studio/creative space. Maybe seeing your dream work out will help me figure out how to realize mine. 🙂

    As far as what I look for in a book shop: Many of the things you’ve already listed are exactly what I’d want in a shop I’d go to regularly – quiet/private nooks to read but also the chance to socialize, if I choose; lots of cats (ferrets are good too); the chance to listen to one of your chapters in-progress. 🙂

    I also feel like coffee (or tea) and books go hand-in-hand. I find that I, personally, can’t do much reading if I’m drinking margaritas! But I love coffee and hot chocolate and a cozy place to hunker down with a good book where I can be outside of my house but still separate from people. It feels warm and inviting and decadent. 🙂

  1366. Here is another one, lots of bookstores go out of business, apparantly not a lucrative market. Try to make sure you get loads of people in, as mentioned above, and try to offer services people need but are easy for you to handle. Pick up for packages, or laundry, or something like that.

    AND: try to have lots of staff that are working their way back into ‘normal’ employment. People recovering from the same problems as you have maybe, in the Netherlands you get subsidized for employing people with (short-term/long-term) disabilities. It is good for them to work, it is good for you to have some cheaper labor, and it is good for your clients to have all kinds of people around them who are not ‘standard’.

  1367. When I imagine my favorite independent bookstore, it’s cozy and homey, with nooks and crannies – like an English muffin. Comfy chairs. A coffee bar. Themed book readings. A place where it feels decadent just to walk around and browse. Also, as someone whose husband is VERY allergic to cats (trust me – it was a tough choice), please keep that in mind if bringing in animals. I’d hate for someone to miss out on your establishment because of pet allergies. 🙁

  1368. My dream bookshop has a stage in the back to host open mic nights and children’s plays. I think it’s super cool to have a place where community outreach can be hosted. 🙂 Also, I LOVE the idea of giving books to kids! Might I recommend adding teens into the mix as well? I work with teens for a living and there are so many that are outcasts and isolated. A bookstore that promotes the arts and has space for lonely, bookworm teens is a magical place that can make such a difference. Thank you for all you do! Your books have gotten me through so much! You rock!

  1369. As a business owner that rents a space in a strip shopping center – totally find a haunted place! That would be AWESOME!!! Plus, when I think book store and reading nooks, I think kind of quiet. You won’t have control over who leases the spot next door. You could have some kind of build it shop with hammering and banging going on. A stand-alone shop may serve you better. However, your advertising budget will go up a bit because you won’t have the same foot traffic as you would in a strip center……unless you have some AMAZING things in the parking lot that draws attention to your shop, like life sized animals in dresses, or food trucks, or pie trucks, or something like that. If you have a stand alone shop you also won’t piss your fellow tenants off when you have your kick-ass events! Just my two cents from the shit we’ve learned over the last 3 1/2 years in business. We aren’t a book store, we are a ladies boutique. We aren’t your typical bridge club type ladies boutique however and we have events, and we make noise, and we get turned in to our landlord……repeatedly, and we run out of parking for our events because of the other tenants, etc., etc, etc.

  1370. Hope your snack bar will sell items free of refined sugars, maybe using xylitol or stevia instead. I’ve been on this clinical anxiety/depression journey since at least 1946, finally stabilized with the help of meds in 1993, and find that avoiding sugar and its high glycemic friends entirely, and avoiding alcohol, have helped immensely in keeping a solid footing. You might find you have many customers who are on similar diets.

  1371. This is so awesome! I am so happy for you! Bookstores are my favorite and all but barnes and noble are gone from where I live. I love feeling relaxed, play classical music. A bookstore cat would be awesome! (put a pic of them on the door announcing the presence of the cat to inform those with bad allergies.) I love being able to get magazines at the bookstore. Hot drinks are good to encourage longer browsing. (Even if you just sell drip coffee and tea. does not have to be fancy). My kids love bookstores and love when they have a kid space. Even just a little kid nook, with colorful floor pillows and books for them to look through. Kids always beg to buy stuff, so I think they are good to encourage at a store. I table that sells local books and maybe some other local artisan goods.

  1372. Haunted Victorian, with lots of little figurines and creepy doll heads in nooks and crannies, including either a “Find all 37” game or a map that takes you to each of their “rooms”. and a cat. Maybe a barber’s or dentist’s chair.

  1373. It doesn’t even exist yet and the world is already more cozy! Maybe you can give a shelf in the store to the Friends of your local library? They’ll keep it stocked and the proceeds will go help keep the library running!

  1374. I am so excited for you!!! If you find a Victorian house with a fireplace for the cats to sit in front, that would be heaven. You could team up with local rescue and have some of their adoptable animals in the shop!

  1375. I am so excited for you!!! If you find a Victorian house with a fireplace for the cats to sit in front, that would be heaven. You could team up with local rescue and have some of their adoptable animals in the shop!

  1376. THIS. IS. SO. EXCITING. I’m into it. I vote haunted Victorian. Can you please get this all locked down before June (yes, THIS year) so I can come when I visit my friend in Austin? Thanks.

  1377. I would advise careful consideration if you want a cat (or any animals) in your store in SA. The previous owner of Nine Lives Books had cats there originally, and for every person that loved them, there was one who complained about being allergic or that their kid got scratched, etc. People would even call animal control over it. It was a massive hassle.

    I think another bookstore in town (that isn’t Half Price Books) would be great! I would hope for a nice romance section with emphasis on books by and about LGBTQ+ and POC; the Twig doesn’t have a romance section at all and B&N tends to lean towards “overwhelmingly white and hetero”.

  1378. I second the motion on the Cats (more than one because, hello, you will need employees!). They will earn you great customer service ratings… they know where the best reading niches are, they can smell a good book, etc.
    Suggestion: second-hand books…whether you stock your shelves solely with them, intermixed with newly born books, or offer to let people donate their own. I love second-hand book shops ( my favourites are: an Aladdin’s cave shop in Edinburgh with floor to ceiling winding aisles and a renovated Victorian train station with a reading room consisting of fireplace and seating).
    Jenny I have so many ideas for you…sending you all the positive energy I can spare in hopes you make this dream come true.

  1379. This is fantastic news!
    2 ideas spring to mind, from my fav 2 bookstores.
    1) At Valentine’s Day, my local bookstore wraps individual books in brown kraft paper, writes a few basic words of description/audience on each, and displays them prominently in the center of the store.They sell them as “blind dates”!
    2) Another great shop displays at least half of their books with the cover facing out and descriptive cards written by staff or die-hard regulars. I have found soooo many books there that I’ve enjoyed but would NEVER have picked up if they were in just a row of other book spines.
    3) I’ve never seen this done but I’d totally take part- hold a ‘best smelling new book’ contest. I love how books smell but some paper is much better than others.

  1381. Blankets to go with the reading and writing nooks…because what’s the point of finding a place and a kitty to snuggle if there isn’t a blanket to go with it? And maybe include the knitters and crocheters in your “work space” planning because they could totally MAKE the blankets for snuggling! And a place where I could read, or write, or snuggle, or crochet is a place I’d totally be down for. Remember me when you’re ready to franchise so I can borrow your business model because this sounds AWESOME.

  1382. I need this. My suggestion – open one in Lakewood Colorado. WE need you too. Seriously, wishing you all the luck, success, joy, and feels. <3

  1383. About time! 😉 Love the idea and will definitely be looking for online ways to be there! Proud of you!

  1384. I love it. Agree to prior suggestions. I like used books as well and coffee. Cats yes. Maybe you can connect with the shelter and do combined book readings/book club meetings and pet adoption events? Out here (CA) there are several rescue groups that do kitten yoga etc. That way, the cats/kittens can get interaction and be available for adoption. Just thoughts.

  1385. Sadly, I’ll probably never make it to Texas, but what I would want in your shop is to have that awesome dollhouse on display. And the infamous taxidermied family members. I’d have to vote “no” on the ferrets though. Sorry, but knowing someone who has them, even if they’ve JUST been bathed, they have a funky odor that I do NOT want to bring home with me.

  1387. My favorite bookstore of all time carries local old gems of books and old vintage textbooks from the early 20th century. The store is supposedly haunted, has an old, squeaky wooden floor, and every nook and cranny is filled with little gems. There are also new gems for those who prefer less germs. Oddly, they sell soaps, too. (Huh. I never thought about that.) Anyway- I am more of a lazy-old-dog lying around the store kinda girl, but I am open-minded. A young playful therapy animal is a must. Vicious otters would be entertaining (I have been threatening to get my brother one, and good lawd, they are expensive on eBay). Dead otters, btw. The live ones should stay outside. Anyway, I’m a calligrapher and correspondence enthusiast, so anywhere where I can handwrite letters or use your space for penmanship and calligraphy workshops would kick ass. Though, I live in Florida, so the chances of me getting to do this at your shop are very slim. Unless you invite me. Lol. So, I’m kinda setting this up for someone else to have all the fun. Nothing cool like this exists in Orlando. It’s annoying. Additionally, you should sell vintage writing instruments, fountain pens, or other cool finds that spark joy for YOU (but mostly me because that’s what I would do). No really, though, your branding personality for the shop should match your own voice because your authenticity and vulnerability is what makes you awesome. You just have to personify the store to match your awesomeness. Also, a speakeasy in the back somewhere for just you and your friends would be great. Then, you can have Happy Hour on the Hardwood…where everyone sits quietly and just reads to themselves. It’s similar to a calligraphy party where we just have a bunch of introverts in a room listening to nibs go scratchy-scratchy-scratch. Pretty baller.

  1388. The Tattered Cover in Denver is one of my most favorite bookstores! Quirky and comfortable. I second suggestions for comfy lounging chairs/sofas and hot bevvies available at the bar in addition to the margaritas you envision. Store animals are a must!

  1389. And now I wish I lived in Texas. I’m always looking for places to write. The library is good … The coffee shop … My latest happy hour find … But really, I want (or perhaps NEED!) a place with ambiance and it sounds like your intentions for your book store will have that.

    Oh! Lightbulb! Maybe you can start a franchise!!!

  1390. One more reason to visit San Antonio again!

    Victor is wrong about putting a bookstore in a shopping center. Oh, that might be fine for ORDINARY bookstores. A haunted Victorian mansion is much, much better for the kind of bookstore yours will be!

    Comfy chairs, SO MANY BOOKS, and kittens. Otters are great, too. Friendly ferrets are fine.

    My favorite bookstore (so far, anyway) is The Tattered Cover in Denver.

  1391. What a great idea! Personally, I love the idea of cats…ferrits…Not so much. Lol. When I was reading this, my thoughts went to a cat cafe they have here in Madison. Cafe in one spot, and a cat room with shelter cats that are available for adoption! There was kitty furniture and human furniture, and you could sit, drink your coffee, and snuggle with a kitty! Then if you wanted to take a kitty home, you could start the adoption process right then and there.

    I’d definitely come to your bookstore…virtually.

    Peace, love and light,
    Susan

  1392. This is so awesome and I love everything you envision. How cool would it be if it was in a house? Like a cool old house? My friends and I would come all the way from Florida to hang out in your book house with cats and wine for a couple of days.

  1393. The only thing I can say is make it comfortable, and always be kind to your costumers. Make them feel welcome!! Add personality.

  1394. Wow, that is amazing – bravo! My favourite bookshop is in the city I live in, Ely in Cambridgeshire UK. It’s called Topping and Company. There’s floor to ceiling wooden bookshelves, lots of chairs and places to hang out to look at books, jazz or classical music playing in the background. Three floors of books! I think the best thing is that it’s cosy. Good luck! I look forward to seeing how it all develops!

  1395. I love the idea of ferrets in addition to cats. I love bookstores, but I’m allergic to cats, and I always feel a bit left out when people rave about how bookstore cats are what really MAKE a bookstore. I really like the idea of an alternative cuddleable animal in addition to the cats.

  1398. I love all these ideas! As a middle school librarian, let me add a few thoughts on behalf of my students. 🙂 Children’s literature and YA are both awesome genres (I agree with the above commenter who says they should have their own space if possible). Just don’t forget the first period of middle age – 10-14 year-olds. They are usually ignored even though it’s a critical period in a reader’s life. Check out the Texas Bluebonnet Awards for ideas.

    Also, your comment about book deserts is amazing, and I hope you are able to see it through, but also consider partnering with local schools for events. Especially author events. Not sure about what schools libraries are like near you, but in Florida librarians are fighting to keep staffed libraries in schools and fighting to keep quality literature in kid’s hands. Any support would be welcome!

  1399. The best books shops have staff who know the books and can make good recommendations. One of the things I love about our local book shop (Avenue Books, in Melbourne) is that they offer free gift wrapping. The wrapping is simple and elegant – not just thrown in in a gift bag with some tissue. We buy a LOT of books as gifts because of this combination of recommendations + wrapping.

  1400. Wonderful! Here in San Francisco we love Green Apple Books and Bookshop West Portal. Lots of old chairs and nooks to actually read. My daughter gets a whole pile of books and sits and reads, reads, reads. Yes, you must have a cat.❤

  1401. It will be the perfect reason to visit Texas!!! And please have a dog in the shop as well – a nice therapy dog to talk with when human interaction is just not possible.

  1402. It will be my reason to visit Texas!! I love the idea of animal but could you please add a dog to cuddle with as well – they are great to talk to when human interaction is too much to handle…. That and I have cat allergies.

  1403. I wish I lived in San Antonio, I would become the customer waiting for you every morning and that you had to kick out every night!! And I’d totally want to sit next to the haunted chair (that you absolutely HAVE to put in the store) and I would talk to it, just to freak people out!! For some more great ideas (because you already are cookin’ with gas 😉), check out the Jane Jameson series by Molly Harper. Jane is unwillingly made into a vampire, later inherits the book store she works at, and turns it into a hugely successful store, selling tons of specialty and hard to find books online. Awesome series, but I kept thinking I wish I had a bookstore like that near me, with or without the vampires!

  1404. Can you maybe have an online forum / chat group? I don’t make it to Texas often. (or ever)

  1405. Fab idea! Def haunted Victorian. Just please keep the lights low so it’s cozy and not blinding. These days shops have too much light. Giant pillows in the nook so we can cozy read on the floor? And some tea at the bar?

  1408. I second myopic books in Chicago… it’s a great space. That, and 57th Street Books. Yours is destined for greatness. I know it!

  1409. This is the greatest! San Antonio desperately needs more independent book stores. Cozy ones! Also, I would love to work there or even volunteer. So if you need some help down the road, I’m raising my hand! 🙋🏼‍♀️

  1410. You must do this. You MUST.
    Now for some bits and pieces of advice learned after I started my own veterinary clinic ten years ago…
    Take the time to write down EXACTLY what you want the space to be. All the wonderful details. Write it down and keep it somewhere you can find it. You’ll need that on the days when the day to day bs of running a business starts to dominate your consciousness. It can be easy to lose sight of what you wanted it to be when the copier jams AGAIN and the plumbing backs up and you’re out of coffee. Write your dreams.
    And surround yourself with smart people who are good at what you are not good at. I’m a decent veterinarian but lousy at the details of running a business. You know, the silly stuff like taxes, payroll , paying the bills, etc. Hire good people to do these things and get out of their way when they do it.
    Now go do this!

  1411. Living in San Antonio I know we could use more notnsir bookstores! Especially of the independent variety. I would figure South Town is the area to look into? Downtown were the new revamp as well? Good Luck will definently visit!

  1412. Living in San Antonio I know we could use more notnsir bookstores! Especially of the independent variety. I would figure South Town is the area to look into? Downtown were the new revamp as well? Good Luck will definently visit!

  1414. I agree with the old Victorian idea rather than new and sparkly. I also love books that have a mix of used books and new. Makes it a community and allows for even more interesting selections of books. I also love art, including artwork from local artists in my ideal bookshops. I am so happy for you. This is a dream with both share.

  1415. As a former bookstore employee, might I humbly suggest…
    1. I wish we had some cheat sheets for books— especially genres with which I was not familiar. Urban fiction, sci Fi fantasy, horror, etc. I loved talking books with my coworkers. And it always seemed like a customer would come in and ask for a book recommendation that would have been PERFECT from another employee. Staff recommendation cards are also wonderful, but you can only have so many.
    2. Pay to have your chairs be scotch-guarded or something similar. You can only turn those cushions so many times.
    3. We had some kid/teen-focused events that sometimes they would come back and I would recognize them and we would chat about the book memory they made. (Duct tape roses for the New Moon release, costume contest/ songs/ scavenger hunts for Harry Potter books, etc. etc.etc). As both a bookseller and parent, I love this. I am not sure if this is creatable for adults???
    I wish you the best!!!

  1416. A kid’s section. I know it’s going to be a small place, but a kid’s section. And I suggest books, not that are just new, but great old used ones that have for some sad reason passed on, like Sam’s Potty by Barbro Lingren, or The Wild Baby by the same. Don’t serve jelly donuts because all your pages will stick together. You can, however, serve a sticky dessert like Bear Claws, because most people don’t know what they are, but they know you, so they’d be pretty wary of asking for one. Come to think of it, just offer Atomic Fireballs. You should start now finding taxidermied animals reading the classics. Nothing says a quaint bookstore quite like a stuffed marmet reading Proust.

  1417. This is perhaps not the most fun advice, but as someone who has worked in several bookstores over the course of Life So Far, and who currently works in a library (which is often viewed as just a Big Free Bookstore), my #1 priority after finding the Perfect Space would be — find yourself the Perfect Staff! Working with the general public is hard. For every like-minded booklover who wants to come hang out and be awesome and pet animals and drink margaritas … you’re also going to have That Person, the one who Does Not Like A Thing, or who thinks Ferrets Are The Worst, or is having a Terrible Time and decides that you, friendly bookstore employee, are the perfect person to unload all Their Crap on. I say this with much love, as a fellow anxiety sufferer who has had to learn to make a living dealing with The General Public and figuring out how to not let the stress of those interactions overwhelm me. So my not-so-exciting advice would be to find yourself an Awesome General Manager, a Social Butterfly Programming and Events Manager, and some Kickass Booksellers who you trust and who share your vision, and let them carry the load when it comes to The Difficult Folks!

    Sending much love and good vibes!

  1418. This makes me so happy! And comfy chairs..with blankets. So people can just curl up and stay there all day…

  1419. Hi you, I’m just being practical here, as you have over a thousand people telling you what a wonderful, magical thing you’ve decided. My first suggestion is that you food and books don’t really go together well. If you can manage it, have the customers pay for the books before they go to the partaking place. That way you don’t risk your inventory, or have people feeling bad that they left a scone-grease smudge on a book they have to slip back onto the shelf because they weren’t serious about it. I’ve seen it done, and it works.

  1420. I just read this to my daughter (she’s 12) and she has decided that she’s going to go to college in San Antonio and she hopes to work at your bookstore and be in charge of wrangling the otters.

  1421. You had me at Resident Cats, strap-on chest ferrets and an Otter Infestation! I live in Missouri but would totally drive to San Antonio for your bookstore!!
    NO slick modern bland strip mall though, PLEASE!!
    Maybe a vacant mental asylum. Or a church or haunted abandoned brewery.

  1422. This is a wonderful idea!

    I am a librarian and avid library & bookstore goer; I think about what makes the best booklands a lot.
    -I love a book store pet
    – foot stools so i can truly relax and get cozy
    – indulgent snack options for the allergic ( I have a dairy allergy and am always lusting after giant cookies and muffins that I can’t eat
    -bookshelves that are neither too high nor too low
    -crystals hanging in the windows so everyday you can have “rainbow o’clock”
    – I’m imagining some sort of safe space to have a panic attack ( panic attack room?, would their be a framed photo of Jody foster???) ;omg now I’m trying not to lol and wake my kid up, because I am insomnia blog posting and overtired)

    Proud of you for taking this scary but totally badass and awesome leap 🙂

  1423. I am a bookseller and one of your fans (as in I think you have saved my life. More than once). I live in Austin. My daughter is at UTSA I have many thoughts for you. First being, where do I sign up? I love selling books. I love connecting to my customers, often quickly, sometimes after many questions, and getting to what they want to read, must read, never heard of but will love. I spent 20 minutes last weekend-drawing not exactly a crowd but another customer having the same issue- with a man who needed EXACTLY the right journal paper. the paper. to write on with his particular pen. Then joined by a woman with a similar intensity about the shape and size of a journal. etc., etc. So-give me room to talk with customers. have booksellers who are all kinds of smart- someone who knows sci-fi, a poet, a cineaste, someone who can plumb the depths of every YA series in circulation for a kid who has read everything and needs something new, someone who can answer the question “what do I give to a friend who is a doctor now he is in the hospital seriously ill” “I need a book sort of like Kierkegaard-Kierkegaard light”. Have your staff read book reviews- NYT, etc. ..as I said, many thoughts So many customers say that they love the smell of books.let them touch. Have light. Have mysterious old books. Be the Library of Lost Books (from “the shadow of the wind”) Please get in touch.

  1425. Maybe you could have a little taxidermy section? It could be some of your favorite taxidermy and favorite books?

  1426. I don’t have any ideas or anything but I’m so excited! This is amazing news!

  1427. Your plans already sound like a complete win. We have a local used bookstore called Copper Cat Books, and they have a live bookstore cat, author talks and signings, and a cozy seating area. It’s awesome.

  1428. Can there be yarn there also and knitting? Coffee, pets, knitting, & books = heaven!

  1429. I’ve got over 20 years is bookstore experience, so let me know when you need me to come down and help.

    Also, aquarium. A huge aquarium to help writers relax and their energies to flow. And maybe a Writer-In-Residence.

  1430. OMG this is the best idea and you absolutely need animals! You have to check out Wild Rumpus bookstore in Minneapolis, MN. It’s an amazing children’s bookstore and has animals both in cages and running around the store (including a store chicken, who is awesome and very tolerant of grabby little kid hands). https://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/meet-animals It’s a truly magical place!

  1431. Congratulations on your new venture! Things I like in bookstores: lots and lots of chairs, a few adult chairs in the children’s section, locating the rest room in the middle of the store instead of all the way back, coffee bar with snacks, a fireplace, and unfortunately no animals. ☹️ If you read the Louise Penny mysteries, there’s a bookstore in Three Pines which would be ideal. Although, there is an upstairs and I can’t do stairs. A small elevator perhaps? Best of luck. Sounds like great fun!

  1432. I’ve been dreaming of the ultimate children’s bookstore for decades so I’ve got some thoughts on the kid’s section. I wanted to provide a safe space for kids with learning difficulties to practice reading. My daughter is dyslexic and one of the best therapies for her was sitting and reading to our dog. So I wanted to have a couple cozy, pillow-stuffed dog houses, big enough for a kid and a dog to share. They could crawl in there and read to one of the therapy dogs that hang out in the store. I assume you’d be serving yummy snacks and tasty bees at this bookstore but all those nonsensical rules about dogs not being in places where food is served go out the window if it’s a true service/therapy dog.

  1434. I was in an amazing book store the other day in Edmonton, AB, that was situated in an old building and it had the high ceilings with books stretching all the way to the top and the standard creaky wooden floors. But the most amazing thing about the store was the smell – it smelled like history and creativity – if that could possibly be. Make sure you like the smell before you decide that it’s the place for you.

  1435. Do already have a name for your bookstore? Because if not, I would be stoked if you considered naming it “The Write Stuff”.

  1436. I would love to have had a place like that when I lived in San Angelo years ago- I know you’re set on San Antonio but you could bring such a fun element to San Angelo. The Athenaeum in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont is my local library now, but it sounds like just the place you are trying to create! Windy stairs, art, small gifts, well-lit study spaces, welcome to all. Best wishes on your exciting endeavour!

  1437. Not local at all but you can get a great sense of them from their website – A Unlikely Story in Plainville, MA. Opened by the author of “A Dairy of a Wimpy Kid”. Place has been going like gangbusters since it opened and I love it!

  1438. Handicap accessibility is very important. Please make sure your entrances, aisles, and lifts are considerate to those with different mobility needs. I love supporting businesses who consider me and my fellow disabled nerds! <3

  1440. Jenny,

    I know that selling/trading used books is a profitless business, so I don’t recommend that. But the great thing about used book stores, and why we all love them so much is because of Treasure! It’s a hunt, and when you find something you didn’t know existed it’s magic. So, if you can figure out a way to have treasures for hunting (someone much earlier suggested hidden piles of books under stairs) which could be Out of Print Books, or foreign-language books, or something we just won’t find at all the other bookstores out there, that would be lovely.

    And, I think what everybody (including me) means by “cozy” is –not too sterile– so, no mall.

    Oh, and if you have not yet read The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, you must acquire it immediately and do so.

    robn

  1441. If you are up for a road trip, come visit Magic City Books in Tulsa, OK. You could do a talk and book signing while you are here! There’s a nice little room for book talks, a coffee/beer&wine bar, and a nice collection of books right in the heart of downtown. ❤️

  1442. OMG! I can totally see myself taking a road trip to San Antonio just to see your bookstore! Please, please, please carry Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen. One of the best books I’ve ever read. Blessings of cats on your newest endeavor.

  1443. Powell’s in Portland, Three Lives in New York and Shakespeare and Co in Paris. Please not a strip mall, someplace interesting and quirky and not Texas with books you want us to read and I guarantee I will actually look forward to the hateful strip mall drive from Austin to SA. Book People is alright but so sterile like so much of central Texas. I long for a place that feels like a safe and yet totally fabulous place with surprises around every stack and truly interesting people wandering around…and a cat or two or some living creature that is chill never hurts sales. And only local writers if they’re really good.

  1444. Jenny I’ve been following your blog for years after a friend forwarded your first Beyonce post and I laughed so hard I cried and nearly fell out of my chair. First time leaving a comment but had to say I’m sooooo excited about your bookstore! I was a introverted quiet child but could always find company, friends and adventures in a book. I can hardly wait for the Grand Opening!!

  1445. I would want it to smell like a bookshop, that sweet papery smell, and full of the wisdom of writers far smarter than me (or is it ‘I’?) Have some first editions there, old science fiction (I read the hell out of Issac Asimov and Harlen Ellison) and whatever else is rare, strange and unusual. I love books, real books, none of those “here you can download this” there is nothing like opening a new book (or an old book you have never read) and turning the pages in anticipation of what the next page will bring..Heck I keep books around to reread them over and over, like visiting an old friend, you know their stories but you love them so, you don’t mind hearing them again and again…Best of luck on the store!

  1446. Bookstore location idea: There is a ballet hall on NW Military in Castle Hills that is moving across the street. Their current place looks like 2 (or 3) houses put together and has a romantic scrappy princess type feel. Old white building nestled amongst the oaks, right off a large road with decent traffic. I think it is called SA Ballet Co. Might be a good place?

  1447. When I visited Denver, CO I found a local bookstore/ chain called Tattered Cover. One of their stores is in an old theater—tall ceilings, lots of space for comfy chairs, meeting space, coffee shop and hiding places. I wonder if you could find vacant space like this—I loved San Antonio when visiting a couple years ago, so charming. Tattered Cover also has an Audible-type service called Librofm, I switched the day I heard I could support an independent bookstore instead of Amazon.
    Susan

  1448. Making a great bookstore for me: genre organization, not all fluorescent lights, comfy chairs,nooks, coffee/tea, cats, mellow music, regular events like open mic or knitting groups, cozy thrifted decor.

  1449. I googled Victor Lawson San Antonio trying to find a man who might be hiring my son as an intern. This was one of the recommendations. I saw San Antonio and bookstore so of course I clicked it. I have no idea who you are but it sounds like it’s going to be a great bookstore!
    One of the only escapes I had from life in the Bronx were those old Greenwich village bookstores.
    Old,Musty,Creaky spiral stairs,Books piled high everywhere,A little pencil mark of the price inside.
    Most importantly the ability to step out of space and time without being disturbed.
    I grew up in the New York, owned several food businesses and have a pretty good head for making money. You sound like you don’t need it but I’d be happy to have coffee and conversation with you and Victor free of charge naturally. My son and I will be regulars for sure!
    Good luck and God Bless.

  1450. I’m a hundred years late to the party (okay, three months) but all the bookshops I loved most had a large LGBT+ selection and queer-friendly staff. Because it’s hard to find great LGBT+ books, and also it’s such a breath of relief to be welcome somewhere.

  1451. An ideal bookstore would be accessible to disabled people and fat people: wide aisles, elevator/ramp, sturdy chairs (some armless), accessible toilet, etc. Seconding the lgbtq+ selection. Maybe host an open-mic night once a week or so. NaNoWriMo writing sessions…

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