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sewcrazy
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My brother-in-law and his wife are purchasing a Catholic book store in the St Louis MO area. He called me hoping to reach out to the local homeschool community. (I don;t live in the area, but know there is a large hs network) What are some books that you feel he should stock? Incentives to offer? Resources he could tap?
This is a completely new venture for their family. He is buying out a friend that is moving out of the area.
My BIL has been an indiferent Catholic as an adult, so my MIL and I are hoping this will help bring their family into a fullness of our Faith.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
LeeAnn
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LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
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Jen L.
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I would carry as many Bethlehem books as I could.
Also, some modestly priced religious medals.
I would have occasional sales like 10% off all a certain publisher
I'll keep thinking and I'll add in some prayers for them :-)
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Jen
dh Klete,ds (8/95),dd (12/97), dd (11/00), and ^2^ in heaven
"...the best state in which to glorify God is our actual state; the best grace is that of the moment..." St. Peter Eymard
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JodieLyn
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music - especially the things that any of the local churches might use
audio recording (thinking like CAT Chat)
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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LucyP
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I like it when a store sells really good music, not just "Christian" rock or pop or whatever. And when there is a bit of knowledge as to what the different CDs are actually like, especially when they won't open and play them for you 
I like books by saints and the more "traditional books", all that pop psychology and motivational stuff just leaves me cold. Lots of great picture books!
Statues, statues and more statues.... 
How exciting! I said a prayer for him to draw closer to God. I often find with Christian bookstores that so many staff are so grim, un charitable, seem to not know anything about friendliness and hospitality, let alone the Faith, that I'd rather shop online.
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missionfamily
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All the Catholic Mosiac picture books!
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Colleen
dh Greg
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Footprints on the Fridge
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SeaStar
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What about carrying the Catholic Treasure Box series?
Wouldn't they make a great Baptism or FHC gift?
Ditto on the moderately priced medals, Cat Chat, Glory Stories...
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Servant2theKing
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For all Catholic customers, including homeschoolers, the Navarre Bible Commentary series, The Ignatius Study Bibles and a good selection of bibles would be a valuable choice. Very few bookstores offer Catholic bible sources and it's really helpful to preview such items before purchasing. I've been yearning to check a few bible sources which are somewhat pricey, but can't find enough information online or in catalogues to make the purchase sight unseen...The Douay Rheims Bible with Haydock Commentary, 2 Vol. set; Printery House's Illuminated St. John's Bible, currently available in Gospels & Acts, Psalms, Pentateuch, Prophets and Wisdom Books, with upcoming volumes listed Historical Books and Letters and Revelations, they look gorgeous in the catalogue, but the text is important as well.
The list of Catholic homeschool books they could offer is endless. I would say it would be worthwhile to stock certain favorites, like the Ignatius and St. Paul saints' series, but also some titles that are less readily available. Catholic homeschooling websites with reviews would be helpful in discerning what to stock. If they have the opportunity to attend a local Catholic homeschool conference they could glean many ideas, especially if they pay attention to what is selling at the conference and perhaps interview some area homeschoolers for their input.
We've noticed that our local Catholic shop stocks individual copies of many books, with an order slip tucked inside so that they can reorder as soon as the instore copy is purchased...a wise time and money saver.
I've also noticed that area Catholic store owners have commented on how online shopping has really effected their business. I think it's important for those who run a local business to focus on attracting customers with offerings that differ from an online experience... atmosphere and uniqueness can create an appeal that brings even diehard online shoppers in the door.
One of our favorite Catholic shops plays lovely, soothing Catholic music in the background while customers shop, which makes for a pleasing and inspiring shopping experience...much different from most other stores where secular music is blasting so loud you can hardly think. If fire codes in the area allow, scented candles burning might also be nice. There are some Catholic sources for lovely candles and gifts made by monasteries and convents. Atmosphere can be very inviting and an important drawing card. Some of the best Catholic shops we've ever visited create a holy and inspiring environment through charming, inexpensive display techniques which really enhance their products. Stencils on the wall can be a lovely, inexpensive way to create atmosphere. We especially enjoy Catholic artwork, beautifully displayed above bookshelves in some of our favorite shops.
Your bil and sil may want to consider ways they can create a peaceful haven for their customers, one that differs from secular marketplaces, much as a church differs from other secular places. There are also Catholic vendor conferences that might be truly worthwhile for them to attend.
With all of the above in mind, if the store has room, it would be important to make things as family-friendly as possible...displays of expensive or fragile items ought to be placed on stable, higher shelving or on upper wall space, rather than at toddler height, creating instant temptation for curious little children whose distracted mothers are trying desperately to make decisions. Nothing sends a mother out the door faster than fear of their children touching all the enticing merchandise that unthinking vendors place within toddler range. They might also want to consider a section of their store devoted solely to homeschooling. They could display local homeschoolers artwork, lapbooks, nature journals and notebooks. Perhaps a small table and chairs with a few used Catholic books and appropriate table toys to keep busy little children occupied while their parents shop.
It may even be wise to keep a stroller handy in the shop for unexpected visits to their store, when parents may have left the stroller at home. For many years I shopped only at stores with shopping carts or those with very wide aisles because I dreaded the possibility of accidents in shops with all kinds of breakables.
It doesn't hurt to display friendly reminders, on the door and in strategic inside locations, asking that customers refrain from eating or drinking inside the store... it might help them keep the store cleaner and more pleasant for other shoppers, especially if they are in close proximity to any restaurants or food shops. I've been amazed to see damaged items in stores where inconsiderate customers have spilled a drink all over a shelf of books, or left chocolate fingerprints on an expensive item that they examined and then carelessly left in unsellable condition.
All in all, shop owners would do well to consider hospitality as one of the most important elements of their business by making their customers feel welcomed and at home... making their shop a place that invites customers in and makes them yearn to stay awhile... a haven from the world that also creates a desire in those who visit to take home a bit of what they have to offer. I've dreamed for years of opening such a shop and I would call it, "A Bit of Heaven Here on Earth" with the hope that it would be just that for all who entered. Thank you LeeAnn for helping some of us dream a little through your bil and sil!
Please post the name of the shop for any of us who may be blessed to visit the area. Whenever we travel we much prefer to visit a Catholic store rather than typical tourist traps. With family in Missouri, we may very well have the opportunity to visit their shop oneday.
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JodieLyn
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I don't know if it's possible while maintaining a brick and mortar store but
there's a couple that gave up the store front and brings their merchandise around to parishes where there aren't nearby stores and sets up in the parish hall.
And it's usually hard on my pocketbook because it's fairly rare for me to be able to get into a store.. but there where I already am.. where my kids are used to staying busy without getting into things, when dh is often there, where there's other people who'd be willing to keep an eye on littles while I look at something..  I usually go home with at least a few things.
And even if they only did it occationally and worked their way around the different churches.. it might be a good way to tempt people to come into their *real store* plus they'd get a good feel for what people are really interested in.. even if people don't buy, they'd be likely to look and they could see what drew attention.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Matilda
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We know the owners of Aquinas and More from college and over at their blog Ian sometimes offers his advice to fellow Catholic bookstores.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
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juststartn
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I'd suggest a few things...
Good Catholic art--music, pictures (framed and unframed!), a dedicated homeschooling section, and, if they want to do a candle but fire codes don't permit, have them use one of those candle warmers, where there is no flame, but it still melts the wax and releases the scent (maybe put it/them on a surge protector strip and turn it all off at night when closing?).
I'd make it as family friendly as possible. And good quality Catholic books--for children of every age, would be great!
I don't live in StL, and don't plan on visiting there (I have a great aunt who lives in Florissant, but she's not Catholic, and I have never visited her)--we live in OK, south of OKC--but those would be my recommendations. I'd also STRONGLY consider a small--but nice--homeschoolers discount. One of my favorite Catholic bookstores outside of Atlanta near my parents' does a hsers discount of 10%. Not huge, but something. It certainly makes me feel less guilty.
Rachel
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Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
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Red Cardigan
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Customer service, customer service, customer service.
That's the biggest difference a good Catholic brick and mortar shop can offer to its customers, that can put it ahead of internet shopping. Let's face it: any of us can order any Catholic book at an online retailer's site, and often at a sizable discount compared to what small stores are able to do in terms of price. The same is true for statues, medals, rosaries, and so on.
I've tended to avoid ordering from the "online" catalog of some small brick & mortar shops that have a website, mainly because some of them have ridiculous and draconian return policies. I know people are in this business to make money, but if you think you can compete with the no-hassle customer-is-always-right approach that's out there everywhere while insisting that whole categories of items are never returnable or charging some kind of weird restocking fee should an item arrive and be less than the customer hoped for, then you'd be better off not even *having* a website/online catalog.
This is even more true for a walk-in real location. If you have to set return policy limits for the sake of bookkeeping etc., never make the policy more important than the customer. The same goes for the kinds of services you can offer--putting in a special order, helping a customer choose suitable gifts for different religious occasions, etc.
Full disclosure time: two relatives of mine work at the EWTN bookstore (which is totally separate from their online operation, btw). One started out working only a few hours on Saturday and ended up getting extra days/hours because of her incredible sales skills! Just taking the time to listen to customers, figure out what sorts of events they might need to purchase goods for, and making suggestions among the store's selection, which she knows quite well, has caused the store to see a noticeable increase in sales on the days she works.
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sewcrazy
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WOW! Thank you all for taking the time to offer us ideas. I am hoping they can make a go of this and that it will help them on their faith journey.
I will pass all this on to my BIL and SIL
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LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
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marihalojen
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A coffee counter with St Basil's and Mystic Monks coffees for your pre-browsing pleasure.
Seriously, consider the coffee bar. Our favorite bookstore has become so much more just because of the attractive coffee culture. People bop in and grab a cup to go and pick up a small book, journal, pretty pen, just because. They also offer tutoring for kids, homeschool book clubs, mom and baby meetings...
If people come to your store they'll buy stuff. Especially small stuff. Books? Not so much. Amazon and eBay will always have a better deal. So look beyond just books. Entice them in the door with that wonderful coffee aroma and have lots of impulse items for purchase.
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The Mari Hal-O-Jen
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5athome
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Coffee bar would be a great idea! I can think of 2 other Catholic stores in St Louis so I think they would need to have a niche that is not served by the other ones and the coffee bar/meeting place area would be a great plus. I always appreciate kid friendly play areas too.
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Margaret
ds '93, dd '96, ds '99,
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Waverley
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Where I live a similar thing happened - a local homeschool store moved and another local Catholic bookstore took over their inventory and is positioning itself to be the local homeschool store. The thing that impressed me the most when I contacted the store was that I was directed to their homeschool specialist. One person whose job it was to work with homeschoolers.
Second, the homeschool specialist said upfront "We're new to this and would love to hear about what curriculum you have used and what you like about it." She was also willing to order something for me that I could take a look at before committing to purchase it.
Good luck!!
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sewcrazy
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Again, thank you all so much.
They are completely new to this. My SIL worked for Kmart for 20 years (her only job since she was 15) and my BIL works for Hummer. So they both have worked in sales, but never where they were calling the shots. I am trying to help them get started up and to find their market.
LeeAnn
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LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
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Betsy
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* Consider item that are made locally. For example find a really talented rosary maker to do custom work for the shop, same for jewelry and personal sacramental gifts. Find local artists to display their work. If you can't find local at least find original works.
* Be family friendly. Their is nothing that will prevent me from going to a store quicker then when it's impossible to navigate with children or their is no designated area for them to be. OR if the staff is just plain rude to the children (even if they might deserve it).
* Bring in speakers or have events that people will want. This usually gets me into stores that are a bit more difficult to get to.
* Consider taking the store on the road and travel to local Catholic events that are going on. I am more willing to buy when it's easy for me! :)
Betsy
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guitarnan
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Definitely go to parishes if possible - sometimes we have religious goods sales at Hospitality Sunday, particularly before Christmas, Confirmation, etc.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Ideas for brick and mortar store
