Neat building but way more than 2000 sq ft and probably a non-trivial cost to restore to usability.

Church of Christ, Scientist also has a sloped floor to further complicate matters.

Church of Christ is very large--also the issues with potentially serving alcohol.

Also I will add that the location I am suggesting is only a block away from the new OCU Law School.

This space is definitely toward the top of my desired area list. If I happen to serve coffee/wine/beer within the bookstore (potential other local roasters are on the table) then I wouldn't be this close to Elemental. Though, I do like that I could be next to them and collaborate with Ludivine as well. I'll go ahead and throw in the potential of 23rd street/Uptown. It is in the mix with auto alley and midtown.

Bookstores have always been a great fascination for me. I love Full Circle, but I feel that it is in the wrong location. If I were opening a bookstore in OKC, I would look to successful independents in other cities. Aside from Full Circle, my favorites are Elliot Bay Book in Seattle, Powell's in Portland, Upstart Crow in San Diego, and Book People in Austin. But my absolute favorite is Tattered Cover in Denver.Each of these, I believe, provides community rooms for meeting. This is great public relations, and it brings customers in. It also gives you the ability to cater the meetings booked in the public spaces. When your community room is not booked, you might consider using it to show art films, foreign films, public domain classic films, or even first run independent films. In my opinion, OKC is badly underserved in this area. You could also offer literature-oriented classes to retirement homes, pubic schools, or the general public. For example, offer a series of classes studying a screen play topped by a screening of the film you've studied. Or, hold a series of poetry appreciation classes followed by a poetry recital. In general, public spaces in bookstores can be used for a variety of purposes, and you will not need to rely solely on books and coffee to attract customers.

I love all of your thoughts. A community space, rather an area that can be closed off and used (rented) by groups is definitely a part of the layout. I have in mind very similar ideas for when it is not occupied, additionally--writing workshops from professors/writers/poets as well as reading and writing tutoring opportunities. I love the film suggestion, definitely on the same page with that. I would like to have poetry nights as well as other readings and performances!

Right now, I want to do something around ~2000 square feet.

Are you sure you will be able to do what you want in 2,000 sq. feet?

Are you sure you will be able to do what you want in 2,000 sq. feet?

The square footage is not set in stone, but the price is a big thing for me. It also depends on the space. It needs to feel right for my vision.

I really love the trading books for drinks idea. It's already a proven model with clothing in this city, and it creates great synergy with local shops. Keep in mind that people meet at bookstores and coffeeshops to collaborate. I hold a lot of appointments with people at these places and I personally take into account workspace (table area), noise level, and available seating. Random, but having scratch paper and pencils would be a very cool touch and might be a quick deciding factor for some people.

What kind of books will you focus on carrying? Or rather what can we not expect to find at your shop?


The bartering for drinks may be something after certain hours so that it is still child and kid friendly.

I hope that the space will be ideal for meetings and collaborations of all sorts. Pencils, pens and writing pads/journals are on the table for potential retail.

The selection will be large, but no textbooks. New, upcoming authors, rare finds. I want to do fiction and non-fiction. You may find cookbooks. You may find travel guides. You will find local greats like Territory. The New York Times and other magazines and newspapers. Right now, I want to start with new books only. Then, later the bartering/selling of used books may come into play. I am not sure that they will go back on the shelf, rather I want to give back to the community. So, I have thought about donating them to halfway homes, charter schools, boys and girls clubs, etc.

In addition to books, the store will offer the unique, spectacular things that go along with them. I am thinking along the lines of: bookcases, book bags, book related pritns, the clothing line, "out of print," journals, pencils, children's educational games, literary-related art work, etc.

Another idea that has been a rousing success at the Tattered Cover in Denver is a weekly show broadcast locally on NPR where authors & publishers are brought in to discuss their recent works. The show is taped before an audience at the store.

Another idea that has been a rousing success at the Tattered Cover in Denver is a weekly show broadcast locally on NPR where authors & publishers are brought in to discuss their recent works. The show is taped before an audience at the store.

Yes, I read about this on their site, I love it! I also love having authors come in.

would like to get this discussion going again--what about the farmers market for a possible location?

would like to get this discussion going again--what about the farmers market for a possible location?

Welcome back and glad this idea is still percolating!

Farmer's Market would be cool, it's just early.

Perhaps Film Row? Tons of things planned there that will start happening pretty quickly, and in the meantime plenty of buildings that would probably love you as a tenant.

A few points that would be met in my ideal bookshop: a large Occult/Metaphysics section; coffee; ample seating; stage area for acoustic gigs; rare books at prices under those of ambitious eBayers.

I've long considered opening an Occult book store, but I think I'd have to tie it in with a second form of income in order to keep a business of that nature afloat in this part of the world.

I second checking out Film Row. That place will be bustling in a very short time with a clientele that would seem prime for a book store. Unless money is not an issue, and you're doing it for pure literary love, I would consider new and (high-quality) used books from the start. If you stock used books, stay away from paperbacks and the low-returns for you. People can be satisfied just as easily with a cheap used paperback and I would stay away from that. Keep us informed!

I've long considered opening an Occult book store, but I think I'd have to tie it in with a second form of income in order to keep a business of that nature afloat in this part of the world.

Too funny...and too true!

My 2 cents. As a book lover (and former OKC book store manager) who makes it a point to visit the independents whenever I travel, I would love to see a combination new/used book store. Not sure why Zookeeper doesn't want paperbacks but will assume he is referring to mass market as opposed to trade. Sell whatever you can so you can afford to carry the esoteric and unusual that so many seem to want. You'll know soon enough what sells and what doesn't. Carry all of the local authors you can. But most of all, make sure it is ORGANIZED. I've walked out of some stores without buying anything because I usually don't have the time to browse all of non-fiction just to find a good baseball book (as an example). Too many stores don't know how to categorize so they lose business when a customer can't find what he/she is looking for. All of the rest will fall into place.

My 2 cents. As a book lover (and former OKC book store manager) who makes it a point to visit the independents whenever I travel, I would love to see a combination new/used book store. Not sure why Zookeeper doesn't want paperbacks but will assume he is referring to mass market as opposed to trade. Sell whatever you can so you can afford to carry the esoteric and unusual that so many seem to want. You'll know soon enough what sells and what doesn't. Carry all of the local authors you can. But most of all, make sure it is ORGANIZED. I've walked out of some stores without buying anything because I usually don't have the time to browse all of non-fiction just to find a good baseball book (as an example). Too many stores don't know how to categorize so they lose business when a customer can't find what he/she is looking for. All of the rest will fall into place.

Yes, to be clear, I was referring to mass market paperbacks and not trade paper. I think that MM paperbacks being around is the death of many a good used bookstore. When people are looking for entertainment in a book, it can quickly be met with a $1 paperback as easily as an $18 hardcover. Removing these used paperback books that cannot be sold for more than a dollar or two allows the shop to stock only goods that will be profitable and pay the rent. To sell the paperbacks in the numbers you would need to make "quantity" actually pay, you would take up space that can be used for a better return on investment. Someone coming to your bookstore from the Museum Hotel (for example) is just looking for something to read. Why give it to them for a buck?

With that said, I think a used/new book store, with a selection of notebooks, journals, pens, and other related gifts - with the right atmosphere - could be a hit. The Half Price Books retail strategy is haphazard at best. The ambiance is that of a grocery store and has no real connection to the warmth of literary retail and is nothing like what I envision. But, others will think differently. Just my four cents ... Good luck!

Although I agree in general that mass market paperbacks are a waste of dead trees, some of my favorite finds have been mass market paperbacks that had only a printing or two in the 60s or 70s then fell into obscurity, but held fantastic material that makes it a shame the work is lost to the world because of a lack of interest. So my input would be that the retailer just be discriminating in what they buy from sellers looking for cash.

Source: spent countless hours at various Powell's locations across the PDX metro area.

I think bookstores, even super cool bookstores, do not have enough drawing power alone. Your store will generate a modest amount of destination traffic, but I think you're better off locating in a moderately established area so that you may benefit from impulse traffic and synchronicity with other businesses. For this reason, I would avoid the Farmer's Market area unless the rent is nearly free. If the ship has not already sailed on these spots, I would look at Uptown/23rd, Midtown, and Automobile Alley. With all the residential development, it might be time to consider Deep Deuce. Although a bit more of a gamble, I also think Lower Classen is worth a look - the area fronting Classen between 10th and Reno. Lastly, I'm a big fan of the area fronting Classen between 23rd and 30th (the so-called Asian District). Your store will attract funky, bourgeoisie bohemians. Your potential customers can be found in large numbers in this area. Maybe take a look at Red Cup Square if there is any room available.

Two of my favorite bookstores are destinations in themselves, but are surrounded by an interesting collection of shopping and dining which makes for a very enjoyable bookstore experience (Russel's in Victoria, BC: Russell Books - Rare, used, and out-of-print books (http://www.russellbooks.com/) and The Book Loft in Columbus: BookStore Homepage - Book Loft (http://www.bookloft.com/)). If anything close to one of these opened here, I would be there at least twice a month.