In an interview with owner Kimberly Taws, the Fayetteville Observer turned its "Business Spotlight" on the Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, N.C., calling the store "a must read." Among our favorite exchanges:
What would customers, who are accustomed to big book retailers, be pleasantly surprised to learn or experience by walking into an independent bookseller such as the Country Bookshop?
What they would be surprised is the amount of work that we've done to place and get each title on that shelf in front of you, and the thought that goes into each individual title that goes on the shelf. And the amount of information we have on that book and the history of the author. New customers would be surprised at the level of intimacy between the bookseller and the books we are selling.
What is the biggest or most unique challenge in running your business as a book retailer?
I think the biggest challenge is managing the customers' and writers' expectations. Most people already know what they want when they come in the door, and many of our customers are understanding and don't mind waiting a day or two for something to come in if we have to put in an order.
What makes running a bookstore such a rewarding experience?
We get to knock the socks off people and we can bring the big book sellers into the store or for an event. These kinds of things are the joy of it.