New Ownership Consulting

Once upon a time, a booklover with a couple thousand bucks and a bookselling dream could open a tiny shop—picture a walk-up space in the low-rent district—and find success. Not any more. In these days of hot competition from corporate superstores, online merchants and mass merchandisers, an independent bookseller must be business-savvy, fleet of foot, carefully-located and well-capitalized. (Love of books preferred.) It also helps to have a partner who understands the business. That’s where we come in. We can help you ground your bookselling dream in the present reality, and make sure that the store you want to create or purchase has the best possible chance of success.

The truth of the matter is that a good number of the prospective booksellers who come to us for advice don’t end up with their own store. That’s because we don’t whitewash the numbers or give you advice we wouldn’t take ourselves. Call us reality therapists or call us bookstore consultants, but do consider calling us before you take the plunge.

We provide consulting services for new and prospective bookstore owners including:

• Evaluation of stores for sale
• Site selection for new stores
• Financial and business planning
• Store design and redesign
• Merchandising and title selection
• Computer integration
• Creation of operational procedures
• Staff and management training
• Advertising and marketing

Edgartown Books
Edgartown, MA


Project Team:
Books In Common
Franklin Fixtures
Owners Ann & David LeBreton