Would San Antonio Support A $1 Used Bookstore? (New Braunfels, Alamo: school, live in)

[perticusrex]

On the southside would be awesome!!! I agree about SE Military/37 area. They have a lot of shopping and restaurants in the area, very busy place and also very nice. BTW I would buy so many books especially if you happen to include a children's section/area - we would probably be there every week!

[adtobias]

why low rent area

[dakotamidnight]

It won't work unless you are willing to lose a lot of money at first.


I looked into it recently, and you would need at least $25k to start it up easy, not counting books, employees, etc. If you do food/drinks add in more for insurance & city permits. That was only having a shop that was 1500 sqft as well - much smaller than your plans call for & in a low-rent portion of town.


Running a used bookstore is a dream of mine, but unfortunately it is not very profitable.

[Nix54]

Originally Posted by perticusrex

On the southside would be awesome!!! I agree about SE Military/37 area. They have a lot of shopping and restaurants in the area, very busy place and also very nice. BTW I would buy so many books especially if you happen to include a children's section/area - we would probably be there every week!

Books for the entire family. Kids reading area with little people furniture.

Today I came across 22 volumes of the Cornerstones of Freedom books. Great American reading for young people.

One Cornerstone book is titled The Spirit of St. Louis, 31 pages, hardcover. Easy read and great graphics. I just had to read it. Tells of Charles Lindbergh's 1927, 33 hour flight across the Atlantic.

We basically like all areas of town suggested, but just have to find the right price and space.

[Nix54]

Originally Posted by adtobias

why low rent area

Need a low rent area to keep the book prices at a dollar or less.

[moeowo]

I agree the Southside would be great! Check WhoShouldGoHere.com - Community Survey for Commercial Properties it's the former Fair Oaks Shopping Center (at the bottom of the page has some possible contact info) the location is where the old HEB near 37 and S New Braunfels It's going to be renovated and is looking for businesses to fill the spots. I know there are some spaces in the shopping plaza across from Brooks City base too. Also where the new HEB Plus on S New Braunfels has some empty spaces.

Good luck getting your business off the ground.

[perticusrex]

There is actually a Waldenbooks in South Park Mall that I think has been open for a year or so, and it's actually still there though I think they are expensive, apparently someone is buying books there. If you were to seriously look into the SS, I think it would also be beneficial to add a Spanish book section. Books in the Barrios advocated a bookstore opening on the SS. I dont know all the details, but I believe that was the group that was most involved.

[moeowo]

Have a Spanish section...yes

Have it be half the store...NO! LOL

That Waldens has too many Spanish books (I agree it also over priced!) Not everyone on the southside reads or speaks spanish. It's fine to carry it but don't go too crazy with it.

Originally Posted by perticusrex

There is actually a Waldenbooks in South Park Mall that I think has been open for a year or so, and it's actually still there though I think they are expensive, apparently someone is buying books there. If you were to seriously look into the SS, I think it would also be beneficial to add a Spanish book section. Books in the Barrios advocated a bookstore opening on the SS. I dont know all the details, but I believe that was the group that was most involved.

[perticusrex]

I think they went "crazy" with the Spanish section because they got so much positive feedback when they initially opened. But I agree, half the store shouldn't be Spanish literature,they can offer a balance of both.

[Nix54]

Originally Posted by dakotamidnight

It won't work unless you are willing to lose a lot of money at first.


I looked into it recently, and you would need at least $25k to start it up easy, not counting books, employees, etc. If you do food/drinks add in more for insurance & city permits. That was only having a shop that was 1500 sqft as well - much smaller than your plans call for & in a low-rent portion of town.


Running a used bookstore is a dream of mine, but unfortunately it is not very profitable.

Our startup figures are at $30,000. Books are already in abundance and we keep on doing book buy outs in the southwest.

Having a small refreshment island is figured in. It would not be a full fledged restaurant therefore the costs are down. No need for a grease trap, etc.

Insurance city permits, health cards etc have been factored in.

Square footage would at least have to be 3,000 sq ft. Thats why it would have to be low rent district.

We looked at a building on Flores & Guadalupe street, nice old brick building, it was one of the first Piggly Wigglys in SA. Unfortunately it was too small & only street parking.

We will keep on searching.

As for your dream... hope you keep it alive, we are doing our best to realize our dream.

Here is a quote from Sonny Melendrez' blog at mysa.com.... "You can make today happen.

Perhaps you have an idea that you've always talked about beginning with the word, "someday" and always believed that the time will come when you can bring it to life. That time will never come if you don't act. Moreover, no matter how good the idea, you must put in the work necessary to research it's true potential.

There is no substitute for hard work and if getting started is a problem, consider this:If you can find the fire within your dream, the work becomes joy." http://voices.mysanantonio.com/sonny_melendrez/

I chose Sonny's words for he has been an inspiration to me all my life.

Live your dream!