Well, this month I am closing the family store. The store has served our local community for nearly 34 years, and my husband and I have owned it for the last 15+. As a small, independent book, music, and church supply store, we were finally Amazoned into oblivion.

For those who own their own businesses, I am sure you understand - for the last decade plus, I have had to eat, breath, think, spend, and budget retail. (Notice I didn't say 'sleep retail' or 'save retail', since there are no such things!) Even if it cost as much and caused as much worry, I know the store wasn't really our fourth child, but our employees (and many of our customers and suppliers) have come to be like family.

I have already noticed a distinct improvement in my health (amazing how quickly a reduction in stress will do that!!). Hopefully, I will now have more time to train, help teach, and to volunteer at my childrens' school. I also have an application in for my 'dream job', but the final selection won't be made until some time next year - I'll keep you all posted.


(PS: For those interested, I am selling the store fixtures, and I've posted a list in the 'Pro Shop' at http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1004348#post1004348 . Most of these fixtures would work at any dojo/dojang/gym for holding/storing pads, weapons, or books/CDs, or for displaying items for sale. PM me if you need/want any.)

I'm sorry to hear of anotehr victim of Amazon, but it does sound like you had a good run so I hope you feel good about things overall!

........I hope you feel good about things overall!Yes, it was great while it lasted, and I know we truly served the community. At the same time, the Big Guys can do (most of) what we did far less expensively, so in the long run it might be better for the community.

Of course there are lots of mixed emotions - remember Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail"? I get weepier than most watching it (it hits a little too close to home :wink: ).

It's hard to compete against these big volume players. I always try to buy local... it's ultimately better for the community to have a lot of individual, idiosyncratic resources, interesting places with a history to them, than anonymous corporate giants with nothing but a bottom-line relationship to the villages (which all but the largest cities are composed of) that support them.

We no longer have any non-chain bookstores in Columbus, and we're like a lot of places in that regard. New York City was once the paradise of book lovers; these days, you'll have to look long and hard to find a bookstore that wasn't popped out of the Barnes & Noble ice cube tray. Here, it's all Borders and B&N. Even so, I'd rather buy books in a store than online....

I agree with Exile, Books are something that I will always prefer to buy in a store versus online. I'm sorry that we couldn't be in your community to help support your business!

Ninjamom, it sounds like you had a good run, both the store itself and you and your husband. I'm sorry to hear you were mail-ordered out of business; I shop at farmer's markets precisely to get local goods from local producers.

Do you have any idea what you're going to do next, other than enjoy your improved health?

I agree with Exile, Books are something that I will always prefer to buy in a store versus online.

But, B&N and esp. Borders are having lots of trouble (http://www.thestockmasters.com/BGP-070308.html)...so, it's worse than it seems. The You've Got Mail stores are a foregone conclusion except in the largest of cities; but even the big chains are in danger. I'll miss bookstores when they're gone. Hanging out all night in a bookstore is favorite family activity.

But, B&N and esp. Borders are having lots of trouble (http://www.thestockmasters.com/BGP-070308.html)...so, it's worse than it seems. The You've Got Mail stores are a foregone conclusion except in the largest of cities; but even the big chains are in danger. I'll miss bookstores when they're gone. Hanging out all night in a bookstore is favorite family activity.

Yeah, this reminds me of something I read in which an industry analyst (weird to think of it that way; sounds like something more appropriate to aluminum siding than the book trade, but there it is) predicted that within 10 years, the big 'bookstores' would all be online procurement services—aka Amazon wannabes. No physical premises, minimal staff/salary/benefits costs, automated inventory and delivery... sounds just lovely, doesn't it!? :disgust:

Yeah, this reminds me of something I read in which an industry analyst (weird to think of it that way; sounds like something more appropriate to aluminum siding than the book trade, but there it is) predicted that within 10 years, the big 'bookstores' would all be online procurement services—aka Amazon wannabes. No physical premises, minimal staff/salary/benefits costs, automated inventory and delivery... sounds just lovely, doesn't it!? :disgust:
Euww... that means all those Starbucks (that I don't patronize anyway) would have to open in... in... in.... libraries - wouldn't that just suck?

I love wandering through bookstores to see what's come out by my favorite authors (libraries are too often out of the newer books for good browsing) - in all seriousness, that is a truly nasty prediction, and I hope it proves itself wrong.... but I don't have particularly high hopes that it will. :(

Most of what we offered was in services - recommendations/reviews, product knowledge, best sellers/new releases, personalized service (smile, occasional hug and/or prayer), features or visits from local authors, occasional workshops, etc. Nowadays, people can do their own reseach, and many would prefer deeper cost savings to the smiles and customer service. The book industry as a whole isn't helping, when prices for hardbacks grow beyond reasonable expectations - even I would rather wait until I can find a serviceable used copy than to pay $25 for a brand-spankin'-new hardback.

Arnisador: As bad as things might be for the 'Big Box' bookstores like B&N and Borders, things are even worse for music stores. There's lots of competition from Target/WalMart/KMart, Best Buys, Circuit City, etc. But who even needs CDs anymore, when you can download exactly the songs you want, directly onto your iPod, with no shipping costs, no inventory, and little/no overhead costs?

Kacey: As far as the 'library of the future', it might get even worse - industry reports show book sales in my market down 26% in the same period that eBook sales are up 36%. Watch for more people taking their laptops to the beach.

As far as future activities: Just last week I got certified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Diver. I have contacted my state's "Department of Underwater Archaeology, Volunteer Program" (What?!?! YOUR state doesn't have one !??!? :wink:), and am hoping to help map out the location of historic wrecks in/around the Chesapeake. Also, I have an application in with NASA, but the position won't be available until Feb. of next year. Meanwhile, I am really looking forward to spending more time at home, with husband and kids.

Keeping my fingers crossed that your future will be brighter than you could have hoped for..http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

I hate to see small book stores having a hard time. Certainly our small town book store in Alma is under intense pressure. It is so easy to get something from Amazon and it also is so easy to go to ebooks. I made the decision a year ago to go the ebook route in publishing my books. In regards to sales I have not been disapointed as sales have sparked. I guess it is the wave of the future. However, I pray that my small town book store does not go out of business so they see me and my kid's once a month at least for a book order. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif

Well you have a lot to be proud of and as others have said you have had a good run!
Having a small business of my own I can understand what it must be like to close it and I also understand about the stress. I know running my business has been my passion but its also taken a toll on me.
good luck in your training and all of your endevours!

I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like you had a good run, but in the end the competition from venues that can do things "cheaper" end up overpowering and causing stress. Tell us about your dream job. :)

.......Tell us about your dream job. :)Well, I will be working very closely with a small group of 6 to 8 top researchers in my field, in a foreign location. We will have access to and support from some of the world's finest computing resources, top-notch equipment, and exceptional training. The job entails a lot of travel; in fact, I will have the opportunity to 'see the world' like I could have only imagined.

The job has its down-sides: I hear the commute is a bear, and on a typical work day, I won't get outside much. The office space is a little cramped, and even though my future employers believe very highly in the benefit of regular exercise (they've even added a small gym onto one end of the laboratory), there really won't be enough space or time to continue training in my sword art.

Here is the job description (https://ifmpmsfc11.ifmp.nasa.gov/nasa/JobPosting/JobDetail?VAN=JS07A0176), as posted on the NASA Jobs website.

I am looking forward to my new location, and just thinking about it, I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted from me.

Well, I will be working very closely with a small group of 6 to 8 top researchers in my field, in a foreign location. We will have access to and support from some of the world's finest computing resources, top-notch equipment, and exceptional training. The job entails a lot of travel; in fact, I will have the opportunity to 'see the world' like I could have only imagined.

The job has its down-sides: I hear the commute is a bear, and on a typical work day, I won't get outside much. The office space is a little cramped, and even though my future employers believe very highly in the benefit of regular exercise (they've even added a small gym onto one end of the laboratory), there really won't be enough space or time to continue training in my sword art.

Here is the job description (https://ifmpmsfc11.ifmp.nasa.gov/nasa/JobPosting/JobDetail?VAN=JS07A0176), as posted on the NASA Jobs website.

I am looking forward to my new location, and just thinking about it, I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted from me.

Does this entail a move for you?

Yes, it will, and even though the kids don't want to leave their school/friends, they are all behind moving to the new location, if I get accepted for the job.

Awesome! Congratulations and good luck!

Well, I will be working very closely with a small group of 6 to 8 top researchers in my field, in a foreign location. We will have access to and support from some of the world's finest computing resources, top-notch equipment, and exceptional training. The job entails a lot of travel; in fact, I will have the opportunity to 'see the world' like I could have only imagined.

The job has its down-sides: I hear the commute is a bear, and on a typical work day, I won't get outside much. The office space is a little cramped, and even though my future employers believe very highly in the benefit of regular exercise (they've even added a small gym onto one end of the laboratory), there really won't be enough space or time to continue training in my sword art.

Here is the job description (https://ifmpmsfc11.ifmp.nasa.gov/nasa/JobPosting/JobDetail?VAN=JS07A0176), as posted on the NASA Jobs website.

I am looking forward to my new location, and just thinking about it, I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted from me.
Yeah... I'd say that job just might involve a wee bit of travel. And you could very definitely get to see the world, as few others have! Good luck with it!

I'd also bet that particular lab could put some unique challenges to any MA training... but worth trying!

(But do stay inside... I hear that it's a really bad neighborhood to simply stroll through!)

Well, I will be working very closely with a small group of 6 to 8 top researchers in my field, in a foreign location. We will have access to and support from some of the world's finest computing resources, top-notch equipment, and exceptional training. The job entails a lot of travel; in fact, I will have the opportunity to 'see the world' like I could have only imagined.

The job has its down-sides: I hear the commute is a bear, and on a typical work day, I won't get outside much. The office space is a little cramped, and even though my future employers believe very highly in the benefit of regular exercise (they've even added a small gym onto one end of the laboratory), there really won't be enough space or time to continue training in my sword art.

Here is the job description (https://ifmpmsfc11.ifmp.nasa.gov/nasa/JobPosting/JobDetail?VAN=JS07A0176), as posted on the NASA Jobs website.

I am looking forward to my new location, and just thinking about it, I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted from me.

I'll just bet! Almost as if the weight receded from you...

Well, I will be working very closely with a small group of 6 to 8 top researchers in my field, in a foreign location. We will have access to and support from some of the world's finest computing resources, top-notch equipment, and exceptional training. The job entails a lot of travel; in fact, I will have the opportunity to 'see the world' like I could have only imagined.

The job has its down-sides: I hear the commute is a bear, and on a typical work day, I won't get outside much. The office space is a little cramped, and even though my future employers believe very highly in the benefit of regular exercise (they've even added a small gym onto one end of the laboratory), there really won't be enough space or time to continue training in my sword art.

Here is the job description (https://ifmpmsfc11.ifmp.nasa.gov/nasa/JobPosting/JobDetail?VAN=JS07A0176), as posted on the NASA Jobs website.

I am looking forward to my new location, and just thinking about it, I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted from me.


How amazing! One door closes, another opens. Best of luck on getting the job. Please keep us posted. :asian:

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your business, but I am equally glad to hear that things are looking prety good.

Good Luck!

I am looking forward to my new location, and just thinking about it, I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted from me.

Given that at any moment the US economy could be in free fall, you may well have a lot more company than you expect... :uhohh:

Well, I will be working very closely with a small group of 6 to 8 top researchers in my field, in a foreign location. We will have access to and support from some of the world's finest computing resources, top-notch equipment, and exceptional training. The job entails a lot of travel; in fact, I will have the opportunity to 'see the world' like I could have only imagined.

The job has its down-sides: I hear the commute is a bear, and on a typical work day, I won't get outside much. The office space is a little cramped, and even though my future employers believe very highly in the benefit of regular exercise (they've even added a small gym onto one end of the laboratory), there really won't be enough space or time to continue training in my sword art.

Here is the job description (https://ifmpmsfc11.ifmp.nasa.gov/nasa/JobPosting/JobDetail?VAN=JS07A0176), as posted on the NASA Jobs website.

I am looking forward to my new location, and just thinking about it, I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted from me.

Best of luck to you :asian:

You have an incredible opportunity.
I wish you well in your new career.