An April article in the Baltimore Sun noted that an
informal survey of Sykesville, Md., residents, taken six months
earlier, "highlighted two strong priorities for downtown: a coffee shop
and a bookstore." They now have both and by all accounts are taking
advantage of the bookstore they wanted. "It has been very well
received," said Debbie Scheller, the owner of A Likely Story Bookstore
located on Sykesville's Main Street.
The general interest bookstore opened on March 1 and stocks 16,000 titles in 1,400 square feet of selling space. Of those titles, 70% are new books and 30% are used (or "lightly loved" as Scheller prefers to call them). "I originally thought it was going to be more used than new," said Scheller of the store's inventory, a plan she altered based on her customer's buying habits. Used books are shelved alongside new titles, allowing customers to see at a glance what options are available. "My theory is if you're buying for yourself, you might want a used book," commented Scheller, "and if you're buying a gift, you want a new book."
A Maryland native, Scheller has lived in Sykesville for 13 years. She and her husband wanted to relocate from the Washington, D.C., suburbs to a small town when they happened upon Sykesville, which is 20 miles west of Baltimore and has about 4,000 residents. "We fell in love with it," said Scheller of Sykesville. "It's very quaint and quiet," she added.
A stay-at-home mom to her three children for the past 10 years, Scheller and her husband decided the time was right for her to try her hand at becoming a bookseller. "Books have been a passion of mine since I was little," she said, and owning a bookstore "has always been something I wanted to do." Scheller's business acumen comes from her experience in the medical field; she opened doctor's offices, which included everything from getting systems up and running to establishing clientele. For the past 17 years she has kept the books for her husband's electrical contracting company, a business she helped establish. Now it's Scheller's turn to be at the helm of an enterprise.
Part of her marketing strategy involves cross-promoting with neighboring businesses. A Pilates instructor recently led a "Body, Mind and Spirit" night, and a craft night drew participants from knitting and scrapbooks stores. Each event features a display with books tying into the particular theme. The store also showcases the work of local artists in conjunction with the South Carroll Fine Arts League. "It looks wonderful," said Scheller of the watercolors, photographs, and other pieces of art, which are changed every three months. "It decorates the walls above the bookshelves, and the artists get to display their work," she added, "so it's mutually beneficial." And "Book Bucks," coupons for $1 off a book purchase that Scheller created, are distributed at the library as well as at local shops. For Halloween, Scheller is organizing a Sunday trick or treat with other Main Street merchants.
In-store events are an area in which Scheller, who runs the store with the aid of six part-time employees, is focusing her efforts. "We've never had a venue that did arts events or literary events," she said. "This is very new not only to our town but to our county." Along with ongoing events like weekly story time and monthly book groups for adults and children, the store regularly hosts special gatherings. A Likely Story held its first local author social in May, and it has now become a quarterly affair with different writers taking part each time.
Many of the events held at A Likely Story are geared toward children. "Any time the schools are closed or there are early dismissals, I hold special events," Scheller said, one of which took place on primary election day in September. While adults lined up at the polls, children were invited to stop by A Likely Story and cast their ballots for which books would be read at story time. An American Girl Doll Dessert Night, which featured confections from a local bakery and doll clothes made by a local seamstress, was such a hit that there will be an encore in November to tie in with the release of the American Girl movie Molly. "Anything I try that turns out successfully," Scheller said, "I will definitely repeat."
Inspiring the youngest of her clientele to read is one of the things Scheller most enjoys about being a bookseller. Like the nine-year-old boy who hated to read until he attended a summer book club at the store. He has since been back several times for additional reading suggestions. "That's what bookselling is about," said Scheller. "Making lifetime readers."--Shannon McKenna
A Likely Story Bookstore is located at 7566 Main Street, Sykesville, Md., 21784; 410-795-1718; www.sykesvillebooks.com.
The general interest bookstore opened on March 1 and stocks 16,000 titles in 1,400 square feet of selling space. Of those titles, 70% are new books and 30% are used (or "lightly loved" as Scheller prefers to call them). "I originally thought it was going to be more used than new," said Scheller of the store's inventory, a plan she altered based on her customer's buying habits. Used books are shelved alongside new titles, allowing customers to see at a glance what options are available. "My theory is if you're buying for yourself, you might want a used book," commented Scheller, "and if you're buying a gift, you want a new book."
A Maryland native, Scheller has lived in Sykesville for 13 years. She and her husband wanted to relocate from the Washington, D.C., suburbs to a small town when they happened upon Sykesville, which is 20 miles west of Baltimore and has about 4,000 residents. "We fell in love with it," said Scheller of Sykesville. "It's very quaint and quiet," she added.
A stay-at-home mom to her three children for the past 10 years, Scheller and her husband decided the time was right for her to try her hand at becoming a bookseller. "Books have been a passion of mine since I was little," she said, and owning a bookstore "has always been something I wanted to do." Scheller's business acumen comes from her experience in the medical field; she opened doctor's offices, which included everything from getting systems up and running to establishing clientele. For the past 17 years she has kept the books for her husband's electrical contracting company, a business she helped establish. Now it's Scheller's turn to be at the helm of an enterprise.
Part of her marketing strategy involves cross-promoting with neighboring businesses. A Pilates instructor recently led a "Body, Mind and Spirit" night, and a craft night drew participants from knitting and scrapbooks stores. Each event features a display with books tying into the particular theme. The store also showcases the work of local artists in conjunction with the South Carroll Fine Arts League. "It looks wonderful," said Scheller of the watercolors, photographs, and other pieces of art, which are changed every three months. "It decorates the walls above the bookshelves, and the artists get to display their work," she added, "so it's mutually beneficial." And "Book Bucks," coupons for $1 off a book purchase that Scheller created, are distributed at the library as well as at local shops. For Halloween, Scheller is organizing a Sunday trick or treat with other Main Street merchants.
In-store events are an area in which Scheller, who runs the store with the aid of six part-time employees, is focusing her efforts. "We've never had a venue that did arts events or literary events," she said. "This is very new not only to our town but to our county." Along with ongoing events like weekly story time and monthly book groups for adults and children, the store regularly hosts special gatherings. A Likely Story held its first local author social in May, and it has now become a quarterly affair with different writers taking part each time.
Many of the events held at A Likely Story are geared toward children. "Any time the schools are closed or there are early dismissals, I hold special events," Scheller said, one of which took place on primary election day in September. While adults lined up at the polls, children were invited to stop by A Likely Story and cast their ballots for which books would be read at story time. An American Girl Doll Dessert Night, which featured confections from a local bakery and doll clothes made by a local seamstress, was such a hit that there will be an encore in November to tie in with the release of the American Girl movie Molly. "Anything I try that turns out successfully," Scheller said, "I will definitely repeat."
Inspiring the youngest of her clientele to read is one of the things Scheller most enjoys about being a bookseller. Like the nine-year-old boy who hated to read until he attended a summer book club at the store. He has since been back several times for additional reading suggestions. "That's what bookselling is about," said Scheller. "Making lifetime readers."--Shannon McKenna
A Likely Story Bookstore is located at 7566 Main Street, Sykesville, Md., 21784; 410-795-1718; www.sykesvillebooks.com.