I love secondhand book stores, but I get sooo overwhelmed and often end up leaving without buying anything. And getting bored seeing the same titles over and over month after month. So my biggest recommendation is to create areas where there are less books and with different types of recommendations, maybe seasonal recommendations across all genres, potentially even taking holiday/winter books off the shelf and reintroducing them in a few months. This allows a new discovery element for your customers. I love second hand book stores that have recent releases highlighted, and a if you read this you might love that recommendations.
Also maybe be a little bit more selective with the amount of books per author they display and putting up signs that tell customers that they may have other books by the author if they ask or something!
Yes to this! I'd also say to have a little display area for each genre with classics, big names, and hidden gems. You can change those up every few weeks Edit to say: I have also seen a "mystery books" selection in stores where books are wrapped in newspaper and you only know the major themes and genre of the book. Kind of like a "blind date with a book" 😊
I love a good used book store and I agree with all your recommendations. A bargain section is always fun too. All books for a $1 or $2. That's the only section you don't organize. It's like finding a buried treasure when you get a great deal on something you'll enjoy. Great way to lighten the inventory and put a smile on a frugal person's face.
I feel like doing something like a bag sale would be a good way to sell a good amount of books right away to help make room/reorganize. Like fill a paper bag for $10 or something!
Great idea! I already have a ton of books I don't really have room for, so I try to keep a tight reign on my book-shopping in general, but I physically cannot resist a paper bag sale lmao
@@awaismushtaq5719yes. I’ve worked in a library for the past 5 years. When I saw their first video I thought the horizontal books were cute but impractical. You can do that for your personal home library because you’re not shuffling through the books as often as people would in a book store or library. But it’s also not safe. Those books have a higher likelihood of falling on customers as they pull them out, especially if they’re pulling books from the bottom instead of moving them all to get the one they want. It also messes with alphabetizing and shelving habits as customers browse.
@@awaismushtaq5719 I'm disabled. Trying to get a book out from the bottom of a horizontal stack is much harder than slipping it out from a vertical slot. Disability access matters, yes. It is also better for the structure/spine of books to be stored vertically (unless they are a very large oversized hardback, in which case it's better for them to be stored flat).
I was admiring the fact that the books were horizontal. I've often wished more bookstores displayed their books that way. My disability is severe arthritis in my neck. Turning my head sideways to try to see titles is very painful after a short period of time. I guess there is no one way that will suit everyone. :(
I really recommend mapping things out/taking inventory of all the different kind of shelves you have so you can plan better and not just remember everything/rearranging multiple times! :)
If I made your bookshop visual identity I would choose the bright yellow of the air conducts. I would put it in the bookshop sign, cards, merchandising and I think I'd do little neon letter signs to indicate where new section starts. They would pop up among all the other colors and think it would be very easy for the visitors to move around! I would combine this yellow with the blue in the carpet. What you have is beautiful :)
I recommend a rotating staff recommendation section in the front of the store when you first walk in and local authors (or new releases) on the shelves by the register. I would move the special order books to the storage closet. Consider adding some space for gift items or have local artists display their items for sale (keep approval over what they can sell and, of course, charge a percentage or flat fee to use the space). The floor-to-ceiling shelves are a great idea to store your overstock, customers will be unlikely to ask you to access them if regular selections are that high up. A back corner of the shop would be great for some cushy chairs and non-fiction books!
Many people are into junk journaling, you could always make up some junk journal page packs and sell them online as a way to get rid of books that may have some older items.
I'm a huge Black Books fan so nice to see how a real life second hand book store runs. Love love love the bench area at the front that you have installed.
How many people have commented that they've always had a fantasy of owning a secondhand bookshop with their best friend? You two are livin' the dream! I commend you for embarking on such a monumental project. I love organizing, and especially organizing books! I'm often overwhelmed and frustrated in used bookshops because they're so chaotic, even though I love them. You are doing such great work! I'm excited to follow your journey. Are you worried about making the shop financially viable? When I've dreamed of a shop, I've always ended up with, "But I don't think I'd be able to keep it open. Darned am@zon!" Best of luck to you!
Have you considered drawing out a floor map of your building, then making cutouts representing your current shelves and moving them around on the paper so you remember your ideas. Then you can easily write which genres go where to keep track. You can also do this digitally. And later on a floor map on the end of each book shelf, or at least the first two would be nice to welcome customers. As a wheelchair user I love the idea for making it accessible someday. That’ll be after you have new shelves and get all books off the floor and wider aisles. Those narrow shelves are very hindering and spaced so far apart. It will be so much easier when you have more standard shelves and can rearrange the way you want.
I LOVE this idea, thank you so much!! One of our first missions is making our shop wheelchair (and walker, stroller, etc) accessible! Really hoping to accomplish this in the next few weeks! ❤️❤️
a local used bookstore near me does a puzzle exchange. People bring in a puzzle or leave a puzzle and there is a donation jar for a local charity when you take a puzzle, they are in hopes that a donation to the charity will be made. Super nice touch.
I would love to see a video on your process for the online portion of it too, like how you put the barcodes regarding the different books or how you catalogue the books online so people can buy them? Even what programs you use for the cash regestar? Just detailed stuff like that. I get that you guys are super busy so dont worry if you cant get to it or its too overwhelming to even think about right now. You guys are doing an amazing job and I cant wait to be along for the journey :) Edit: Id also like to know how you know the genre of the book. Is there a website that you use or just a guess?
So excited to see how your lovely bookshop develops 😊 I was wondering if you might make a floor plan at all? Just because it’s a tiny bit disorientating knowing whereabouts you are when you are filming (the bookshelves fault not yours at all!) also could pop on your website too so people could look beforehand and know which section to head for (and takes the anxiety out of wandering around or asking!) and would help accessibility too 🎉
Girl, I totally understand when you get lost organizing hehe. I have a new and used bookstore, it's way smaller than yours and it's driving me crazy to organize. Each client will have in mind an organization that they think is best and they will tell you and demand changes and you will try to do what you think is best, but still taking everyone's opinion into account. Unfortunately, after a year I'm going to close my bookstore because the business has not progressed in the place I chose, but I'm happy because I'm going to a collaborative space for women entrepreneurs and I'm going to have a very beautiful room inside that space to restart my bookstore. Good luck in your bookshop and I'll keep following you around here.
Amazing idea! I'm looking forward to seeing the progress! Just one small suggestion in terms of filming to avoid making people dizzy and travel sick. Try leaving the camera in one place, and you can move around. That will give viewers a better perspective of the shop as well as it can be a bit confusing with all the moving around.
Crazy idea, but what if you asked customers to pick out favorites of theirs if they come across them while browsing. Put those favorites in a separate section or area of the genre advertising it as someone’s favorite. That’d be a great way to browse, I think.
hi, congratulations on owning your bookstore that’s an awesome accomplishment. Please don’t take this the bad way this is just some feedback. I would recommend in getting a gimbal to help with the motion. You will get your viewers less dizzy when moving around. I couldn’t watch your whole video without feeling super dizzy and so if you want to gain more viewers and keep them, that might help. I wish you continued success. Good luck 🙂
Such a cool channel idea - I'd love to see more about how you came to own this business and what it's like to run it. Can't wait to see everything you do to make it your own!
Your windows are so grand! It would be a beautiful relatively cheep addition to add some colorful film to the panes. Drawing the eyes to your shop, casting some color, and giving a faux stained glass look. Obviously this is only a suggestion but if you end up liking it I’d love to see how it works in your space!
@@bookshopbesties Amazon has window film that has lots of different designs and looks pretty good. You could put a few stained glass looks on individual panels. :)
My dreamlife, if we had bookshops like that, here in Brazil. In Brazil books are so rare! We buy them only on internet or big cities. I lived in Europe during one year, and enjoyed the libraries and bookshops so much! Hugs from Brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🤗🤗🤗
Oh wow!! Maybe one day you can open your own bookshop in the town that you live and we can come visit! I’ve always wanted to go to Brazil 🇧🇷💛💚 thank you so much for your support!
As I was watching ,I was thinking you need post it's . You can label while your brainstorming changes but the post its can be moved as you work through changes . I love this video and will keep watching 😄
I love the store and am excited to watch your journey! It would be cool btw if you guys also uploaded your TikToks here as Shorts, for those of us who don't use TikTok ☺️
Perhaps an affordable way to spruce up those shelves is to paint them yellow (or yellow and white) to match the air ducts. It would make the space look cohesive and bright. But keep the black shelves, they look sharp. The pegboards could be painted white or covered with white wallpaper. It would make the books stand out and reduce visual clutter. And big beautiful graphic signs for the sections would make the store inviting for new customers. You can make your own, just printer paper glued to poster board. But the most important thing is space. Cramped quarters and overstuffed shelves don't make for a pleasant shopping experience. This is a mistake many second hand stores make. More stock doesn't mean more sales. It has to be physically easy to find and pick items. Cull, cull, cull. Look at modern library design, with low shelving and lots of displayed books. Less is more. Good luck!
If you haven't thought about it yet, tape measure! It should help you figure out moving groups of books and space. I worked in a records wearhouse for a decade and I always had a tape measure on hand.❤ You both are living my dream 😍
Yes, this is super interesting watching, thanks for uploading your journey. No word of a lie, I feel I need popcorn 🍿 and the next instalment ASAP please 🙏
wanted to note in case you hadn’t thought of it, probably shouldn’t consolidate sections tooo tightly, there won’t be room for new books coming in. for customers perusing but also when you have more books to integrate!
I also recently bought a bookstore (new and used). But I think I probably have about half the space you have. I've been facing the same struggles and frustrations, trying to relocate sections to make more sense to me, get things up off the floor, etc. So. Many. Books!! Also, I laughed when you showed the books falling and the pile that had landed on the floor - been there a few times!
Loving the content!!! Hope more is on the way. Tip, consider how you are filming... I got motion-sickness from watching the first video and a bit from this one (for the first time ever while watching youtube) had to stop to write this comment.
You can organize the place like a grocery store. All the most popular and sought after on the outer parts and the less on the inside, end caps with deals. So many western, not sure anyone is looking for the genre anymore. Maybe put out some feelers in the book community if anyone is looking for certain things. Maybe have an auction, or a place that takes books and dispose of them properly. If things aren't moving in stores, owners need to move them somewhere else or get rid of them. Maybe look at the layout of local stores, ask for suggestions. Books stores in different states, how they lay their stuff out, what hard decisions they need to make and what they buy. What is popular in your town? What are people looking for. You can ask suggestions from people who come in. Maybe there is too much of a selection, maybe the type of books isn't relevant anymore. Separate by seasons, all the fall and Halloween books in a temp section and exchange them with the season. It could be a different book from different genres.
Looking forward to seeing all the changes you are going to make. There is lots of light, with beautiful windows and doors, which is great and i can imagine it all styled up with oak wooden bookcases and an oak herringbone wooden floor with lots of plants, a wee coffee/hot chocolate machine and pastries. Book club evenings ❤. I appreciate these are my thoughts and following to see how you style it up and what you will do once the styling is done! Wish I could help out! ❤ Best wishes from Northern Ireland x
We seem to be very much on the same wavelength 💚 I’m excited for you to watch along as we make changes, I think you’ll love the final result as much as we will! Thank you for supporting us from ~5,000 miles away! We appreciate you so much!
wow so much more organized and neat looking, you can really tell you've been working at it. the windows unblocked give so much light to the shop. i cant tell on the video if you have already done this, but dont forget to turn some of the books on the bar shelf around so when looking in from the window outside it looks inviting and not just the backs of books. use that window like a clothing shop would for display to lure in customers. like the bar shelf is your mannequin lol
I'm loving these vlogs! They bring back so many memories for me. Three times in my life I have had the fun, and headaches, of reorganising a bookshop (once secondhand books, and new books twice). Really enjoying seeing your thought process and progress😊
Amazon has those motion sensor bells. We used to use them when I worked at a hotel in our treat shop to prevent people from stealing 😊 (For you bell at the front when people come in)
abt the planning where what should go, we had to redesign a part of the library in school and we drew little plans with where things could go. maybe that would be helpful to think everything through and see if you like it before starting and then having to restart again
Yes, that is a great point! And once we build new shelves, everything will have a permanent home! For right now, I’m all over the place trying to figure it out but drawing things out will help so much, thank you for the suggestion!
You should play some jazz! (You probably already do, and just turn it off for the videos.) But that way if there's someone browsing, having music playing might help them feel less self conscious of being the only customer in the store at the moment and they won't have to worry so much about how loud they are walking. It is just a nice ambiance!
Totally! I play a variety of music (normally all instrumental) each day. I’m a big fan of piano, so I play lots of classical but normally do jazz on Fridays or Saturdays since it’s a little more upbeat and fun 😆
Hello, unwanted advise: since you just started making videos, on the "down below" section always repeat all your social media addresses, Amazon wish list, website, how to order, etc... It's faster for people watching the video to access them directly instead of going in another tab and then look for another link etc... there is a lot of videos on you tube an very little time! from a book lover to another (envy) 😉
The way my brain works, I'd be mapping out the footprint and height of all the shelves on paper, with a scale blueprint of the room, the rough book capacity of the shelves with a margin for error, and the number of books I have of each genre, with a margin for error, and working it out on paper, keeping track of the shelf depth, just to save myself having to re-arrange everything repeatedly. I know not everyone can work that way though. But that way I could plan from a blank slate where I wanted all the shelves and books to go and then work towards that. I don't know how your computer system works, but I code, so I'd definitely be making sure the program had counters to tell me how many books there should be of each genre. Right now a big part of what governs where my books go at home has become less genre and more which shelves are tall enough for which books, even if that can tend to go along with genre/section at times. One of my other main concerns would be combating the fact that customers would tend to move and carry books around, colour coding the books or maybe making drop off carts where people can easily put books they'd rather put back, just because I wouldn't want to hunt for them. I would definitely recommend re-building the shelves, even if it's out of what you already have, so you have deeper shelves in any of the sections that need them lower down on the wall. I'd personally also be putting chunky short feet on all the shelves to keep them off the floor and promote air flow, but that might be way more of a concern in my climate and I'm sure if the books are fine now, then you aren't going to suddenly develop any new problems. Maybe building chunkier deeper shelves for the bottom of the wall to bump everything else up on would be the logical first step to making the shelves extend further up the wall? It's looking good and it looks like you're making a lot of progress.
YT is so clever. Recommended your channel to me. I will be def to place an order with you guys. Thanks. All the best. I am so excited for your journey.
I think the best thing bookstores do is have books in easy reach for when you walk in that are a sure shot. If I see that someone else liked it I’m so much more likely to buy it on my first time in a store.
Meadow looks like Frodo from Rachel Maksy's channel. 🥰 I live in Denmark and work in a bookstore, so I can relate to all the shuffle and organizing. Books are heavy! 😅 Your work pays off, it is looking so much better. Best of luck to you two. 🌸
I seem to have your own system, but I used to measure “shelf meters” of each of our sections and map them up before moving around too much, just to kind of seeing it add up.
This is so relaxing to watch! I was thinking at @10:50 "Check the kid's section!" 😂 You have a lovely voice! Can't wait to see your progress! Thanks for sharing!
I will be posting a new one soon, I promise! Now that Carla is back from Europe, it’ll be easier for me to be more consistent with posting 💛💛 thank you for your patience and support!!
I'd love to do this, how exciting for you. in terms of your book stock though, i think you need to be ruthless and trim down the stock by decided which books you want to keep and which you don't. i think if you could trim down the stock, maybe put some in storage, and stick to selling the books that are most attractive to your client base, you'll find that the whole shop will attract more footfall. I love books, i'm a book lover too, but there comes a point in time when that much stock, is just overwhelming even for customers to look through. it's a question of space, the books need to breath so that the customers can see them. i don't know if that even makes sense... what i mean to say is that they are getting lost in amongst each other.
I love your videos. All the hard work, such a labor of love. Your shop looks amazing and you are making great progress. I love the kids section and your window seating, and your doggie!
Omg of course! I actually also have ADHD and didn’t realize until several days after posting the first video that I forgot to add music to the timelapsed bits 🤦🏻♀️🤣 I was just so excited to post and tired of editing that it completely slipped my mind! Live and learn 🤪
Absolutely love the chaotic energy we have going on. Also you two are living my dream really, I maybe will be able to live it some day but for now school is most important. Love your content and will absolutely continue following your journey !
Haha thank you, I appreciate hearing that! I was thinking while editing “hmm maybe I should be calmer” but it’s good to know you were entertained. I hope you can own your own bookshop someday but totally understand and respect your decision to focus on school first! Best of luck with your studies!
It’s an overwhelming job! You have great ideas and have done so much in a short time. Looking welcoming, I’d definitely want to visit if I didn’t live on the west coast. The camera scanning was starting to make me dizzy. Lol , you too! Wishing you much success and happiness in your business.
The dream for me would be getting the shop organized and then spending the days sitting at the counter, doing some light organizing, and reading while customers shop
I wonder if you can combine the narrow shelves? If you take off the back of one and put it in front of another and then use wood or brackets to attach them? So every two narrow shelves becomes one deeper shelf... Maybe not the most perfect result but at least you wouldn't have to buy as much new materials?
Love your project! But sure do have a thing about stacked books, how can you browse and read the backs easily? Especially if you already have a book in your hand.. love when there's a selection of books displayed on tables.. Fantastic work, 👏 💐
I love these videos! I have always been curious about the behind-the-scenes of a used bookstore. Like many in the comments have said, this would be a dream job. The vibe there is just so calm and relaxing (and your narration is very soothing also). One day I'll come and visit! (I'm in Pasadena so far but do-able). :)
Thank goodness you recorded the order to move everything! You can always play it back! 😂❤ Congratulations on your new store! You remind me of Anne Hathaway!
Hi, you could have the trolley upfront by the counter with random books that may Pop out at people as they are paying for the books they have already chosen.
Thrilled to see you are in CA! Only a couple of hours from where I live and have friends in the area! I'm excited at the possibility to stop by some time!
Those thin shelves are so unpracticle ! You should replace them with deeper shelves so that it would be easier to fit all sizes of books of the same genre into each section ! And wooden floors would look amazing and would be easier to clean too ! I love the curtain pattern, it's really cute.
I totally agree, the narrow shelves are truly awful! The reason we haven’t built new ones yet (and why we haven’t also put in hardwood floors) is that we’re saving up because lumber is so expensive! So we’re just working with what we’ve got right now but will hopefully get working on the shelves in a few weeks! Our property manager actually told us he didn’t want us to close at all for renovations, so we have to make changes slowly and just during the days that the shop is closed normally 🙂 thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Just found your channel. Hello from Australia. You are certainly living my dream. To be surrounded by books all day ❤️❤️❤️❤️ loving what your doing and I love your gorgeous dogs. Good luck with your new adventure. P.s. I love visiting second hand bookshops
Same! I can’t believe the previous owners covered so many great windows. Like the one place you’d want lots of natural light would be a book store! Lol
Where is your shop? I’d love to visit sometime! I also have to second what someone else said about having a bag sale of some kind to try to do a mass clear out to help you with organizing. It seems like there’s just too much product to effectively manage right now. Wishing you guys the best of luck! You are so motivated and you’re going to turn this store into something even greater. It’ll be a special place for your neighborhood ❤
Just found y'all this week! So impressive to see all the work you've done. It reminds me of my own hometown's used bookstore, and it's so cool that you are working to keep this tradition alive.
I LOVE seeing jigsaw puzzles in the shop! I often wish I lived close to an indie shop that offered used books and jigsaw puzzles. Perhaps you could continue accepting donated puzzles?
We definitely will, we’re both jigsaw puzzle fans, too, so it’s only natural 🤣 we actually just got donated three more yesterday, and they’re big ones for adults! So fun!
This is so interesting! I've always wondered how bookstore owners decide how to organize books and seeing you make this store your own is awesome! Hope Carla has enjoyed Europe!
I love secondhand book stores, but I get sooo overwhelmed and often end up leaving without buying anything. And getting bored seeing the same titles over and over month after month. So my biggest recommendation is to create areas where there are less books and with different types of recommendations, maybe seasonal recommendations across all genres, potentially even taking holiday/winter books off the shelf and reintroducing them in a few months. This allows a new discovery element for your customers. I love second hand book stores that have recent releases highlighted, and a if you read this you might love that recommendations.
Also maybe be a little bit more selective with the amount of books per author they display and putting up signs that tell customers that they may have other books by the author if they ask or something!
Yes to this! I'd also say to have a little display area for each genre with classics, big names, and hidden gems. You can change those up every few weeks
Edit to say: I have also seen a "mystery books" selection in stores where books are wrapped in newspaper and you only know the major themes and genre of the book. Kind of like a "blind date with a book" 😊
Very true, possibly start a bookclub or Daily Read to direct customers to particular titles
@@kniddelliz7512hey actually do create mystery books! you can see it at 10:09 but it’s also in their first vlog and it’s so cute
I love a good used book store and I agree with all your recommendations. A bargain section is always fun too. All books for a $1 or $2. That's the only section you don't organize. It's like finding a buried treasure when you get a great deal on something you'll enjoy. Great way to lighten the inventory and put a smile on a frugal person's face.
You could use those shallow shelves as staff recommendations facing out
Great idea!
I feel like doing something like a bag sale would be a good way to sell a good amount of books right away to help make room/reorganize. Like fill a paper bag for $10 or something!
Great idea! I already have a ton of books I don't really have room for, so I try to keep a tight reign on my book-shopping in general, but I physically cannot resist a paper bag sale lmao
Yay for turning the books from horizontal to vertical
@@awaismushtaq5719 I’d say so! books being vertical is much more appealing and convenient for customers to pull books in and out when perusing!
@@awaismushtaq5719yes. I’ve worked in a library for the past 5 years. When I saw their first video I thought the horizontal books were cute but impractical. You can do that for your personal home library because you’re not shuffling through the books as often as people would in a book store or library. But it’s also not safe. Those books have a higher likelihood of falling on customers as they pull them out, especially if they’re pulling books from the bottom instead of moving them all to get the one they want. It also messes with alphabetizing and shelving habits as customers browse.
@@awaismushtaq5719 I'm disabled. Trying to get a book out from the bottom of a horizontal stack is much harder than slipping it out from a vertical slot. Disability access matters, yes. It is also better for the structure/spine of books to be stored vertically (unless they are a very large oversized hardback, in which case it's better for them to be stored flat).
@@awaismushtaq5719 All good. Interactions like this just help people become aware of other peoples different circumstances. Thank you for learning.
I was admiring the fact that the books were horizontal. I've often wished more bookstores displayed their books that way. My disability is severe arthritis in my neck. Turning my head sideways to try to see titles is very painful after a short period of time. I guess there is no one way that will suit everyone. :(
Congrats ladies! You're living my dream and I'm enjoying vicariously participating with you :)
Aww thank you, we’re happy to have you here!
I'd be super interested to know the numbers of what it took to do something like this, maybe a Q&a in the future!!
Yess I agree I was literally just about to comment that id love to see a q&a! 🤩👏
I really recommend mapping things out/taking inventory of all the different kind of shelves you have so you can plan better and not just remember everything/rearranging multiple times! :)
I had the same thought!
Yess and I'd LOVE to watch an episode of just the planning 😍👏
If I made your bookshop visual identity I would choose the bright yellow of the air conducts. I would put it in the bookshop sign, cards, merchandising and I think I'd do little neon letter signs to indicate where new section starts. They would pop up among all the other colors and think it would be very easy for the visitors to move around! I would combine this yellow with the blue in the carpet. What you have is beautiful :)
Where you’re planning to add doors you should definitely put in hidden bookcase doors! More space to put books and fun access to those rooms.
I recommend a rotating staff recommendation section in the front of the store when you first walk in and local authors (or new releases) on the shelves by the register. I would move the special order books to the storage closet. Consider adding some space for gift items or have local artists display their items for sale (keep approval over what they can sell and, of course, charge a percentage or flat fee to use the space). The floor-to-ceiling shelves are a great idea to store your overstock, customers will be unlikely to ask you to access them if regular selections are that high up.
A back corner of the shop would be great for some cushy chairs and non-fiction books!
Great ideas. I was wary of the floor to ceiling bookshelves as well.
Many people are into junk journaling, you could always make up some junk journal page packs and sell them online as a way to get rid of books that may have some older items.
I'm a huge Black Books fan so nice to see how a real life second hand book store runs. Love love love the bench area at the front that you have installed.
Thank you sooo much!!
How many people have commented that they've always had a fantasy of owning a secondhand bookshop with their best friend? You two are livin' the dream! I commend you for embarking on such a monumental project. I love organizing, and especially organizing books! I'm often overwhelmed and frustrated in used bookshops because they're so chaotic, even though I love them. You are doing such great work! I'm excited to follow your journey. Are you worried about making the shop financially viable? When I've dreamed of a shop, I've always ended up with, "But I don't think I'd be able to keep it open. Darned am@zon!" Best of luck to you!
Have you considered drawing out a floor map of your building, then making cutouts representing your current shelves and moving them around on the paper so you remember your ideas. Then you can easily write which genres go where to keep track. You can also do this digitally. And later on a floor map on the end of each book shelf, or at least the first two would be nice to welcome customers.
As a wheelchair user I love the idea for making it accessible someday. That’ll be after you have new shelves and get all books off the floor and wider aisles. Those narrow shelves are very hindering and spaced so far apart. It will be so much easier when you have more standard shelves and can rearrange the way you want.
I LOVE this idea, thank you so much!! One of our first missions is making our shop wheelchair (and walker, stroller, etc) accessible! Really hoping to accomplish this in the next few weeks! ❤️❤️
a local used bookstore near me does a puzzle exchange. People bring in a puzzle or leave a puzzle and there is a donation jar for a local charity when you take a puzzle, they are in hopes that a donation to the charity will be made. Super nice touch.
I would love to see a video on your process for the online portion of it too, like how you put the barcodes regarding the different books or how you catalogue the books online so people can buy them? Even what programs you use for the cash regestar? Just detailed stuff like that. I get that you guys are super busy so dont worry if you cant get to it or its too overwhelming to even think about right now. You guys are doing an amazing job and I cant wait to be along for the journey :)
Edit: Id also like to know how you know the genre of the book. Is there a website that you use or just a guess?
Love this idea! We’ll have to film a detailed video in a couple of weeks, once Carla is back from her trip! Thank you for your support and suggestion!
So excited to see how your lovely bookshop develops 😊 I was wondering if you might make a floor plan at all? Just because it’s a tiny bit disorientating knowing whereabouts you are when you are filming (the bookshelves fault not yours at all!) also could pop on your website too so people could look beforehand and know which section to head for (and takes the anxiety out of wandering around or asking!) and would help accessibility too 🎉
This is a very good idea!!
Girl, I totally understand when you get lost organizing hehe. I have a new and used bookstore, it's way smaller than yours and it's driving me crazy to organize. Each client will have in mind an organization that they think is best and they will tell you and demand changes and you will try to do what you think is best, but still taking everyone's opinion into account. Unfortunately, after a year I'm going to close my bookstore because the business has not progressed in the place I chose, but I'm happy because I'm going to a collaborative space for women entrepreneurs and I'm going to have a very beautiful room inside that space to restart my bookstore. Good luck in your bookshop and I'll keep following you around here.
Where are you geographically?
@@katietatey Brasil.
Amazing idea! I'm looking forward to seeing the progress! Just one small suggestion in terms of filming to avoid making people dizzy and travel sick. Try leaving the camera in one place, and you can move around. That will give viewers a better perspective of the shop as well as it can be a bit confusing with all the moving around.
Thank you for the kind, constructive criticism! I will definitely be doing that from now on! ☺️
that one long half-bowed shelf at the end is such a mood. it's working so hard!
It really is doing its best 😭🤣
Crazy idea, but what if you asked customers to pick out favorites of theirs if they come across them while browsing. Put those favorites in a separate section or area of the genre advertising it as someone’s favorite. That’d be a great way to browse, I think.
hi, congratulations on owning your bookstore that’s an awesome accomplishment. Please don’t take this the bad way this is just some feedback. I would recommend in getting a gimbal to help with the motion. You will get your viewers less dizzy when moving around. I couldn’t watch your whole video without feeling super dizzy and so if you want to gain more viewers and keep them, that might help. I wish you continued success. Good luck 🙂
Such a cool channel idea - I'd love to see more about how you came to own this business and what it's like to run it. Can't wait to see everything you do to make it your own!
So many books! Each new clip in the video showed more books than I expected lol
Your windows are so grand! It would be a beautiful relatively cheep addition to add some colorful film to the panes. Drawing the eyes to your shop, casting some color, and giving a faux stained glass look. Obviously this is only a suggestion but if you end up liking it I’d love to see how it works in your space!
Ooh this is a nice idea, thank you for your input and support!
@@bookshopbesties Amazon has window film that has lots of different designs and looks pretty good. You could put a few stained glass looks on individual panels. :)
My dreamlife, if we had bookshops like that, here in Brazil. In Brazil books are so rare! We buy them only on internet or big cities. I lived in Europe during one year, and enjoyed the libraries and bookshops so much! Hugs from Brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🤗🤗🤗
Oh wow!! Maybe one day you can open your own bookshop in the town that you live and we can come visit! I’ve always wanted to go to Brazil 🇧🇷💛💚 thank you so much for your support!
As I was watching ,I was thinking you need post it's . You can label while your brainstorming changes but the post its can be moved as you work through changes . I love this video and will keep watching 😄
Oh my goodness, genius idea! Haha thank you, I will start using post-it’s this week!
I love the store and am excited to watch your journey! It would be cool btw if you guys also uploaded your TikToks here as Shorts, for those of us who don't use TikTok ☺️
The moment at 17:47 where you stood there, eyes wide and said "what's happening?" was so relatable. 😂
Hahaha I was truly all over the place that day 🤣
I'm a school librarian, and you're making me fall in love with my job again! This is so fun to watch!
Perhaps an affordable way to spruce up those shelves is to paint them yellow (or yellow and white) to match the air ducts. It would make the space look cohesive and bright. But keep the black shelves, they look sharp. The pegboards could be painted white or covered with white wallpaper. It would make the books stand out and reduce visual clutter. And big beautiful graphic signs for the sections would make the store inviting for new customers. You can make your own, just printer paper glued to poster board. But the most important thing is space. Cramped quarters and overstuffed shelves don't make for a pleasant shopping experience. This is a mistake many second hand stores make. More stock doesn't mean more sales. It has to be physically easy to find and pick items. Cull, cull, cull. Look at modern library design, with low shelving and lots of displayed books. Less is more. Good luck!
I totally agree. People can buy any used book online. You're creating an atmosphere and experience. Maybe even that dreamed 3rd space❤
If you haven't thought about it yet, tape measure! It should help you figure out moving groups of books and space. I worked in a records wearhouse for a decade and I always had a tape measure on hand.❤ You both are living my dream 😍
I get strong "The Diary of a Bookseller" vibes and I love it!
I’m finding this endlessly fascinating ☺️ thank you for sharing!
Yes, this is super interesting watching, thanks for uploading your journey. No word of a lie, I feel I need popcorn 🍿 and the next instalment ASAP please 🙏
Oh my gosh, this comment made my day! Thank you so much!!
wanted to note in case you hadn’t thought of it, probably shouldn’t consolidate sections tooo tightly, there won’t be room for new books coming in. for customers perusing but also when you have more books to integrate!
I also recently bought a bookstore (new and used). But I think I probably have about half the space you have. I've been facing the same struggles and frustrations, trying to relocate sections to make more sense to me, get things up off the floor, etc. So. Many. Books!! Also, I laughed when you showed the books falling and the pile that had landed on the floor - been there a few times!
Loving the content!!! Hope more is on the way. Tip, consider how you are filming... I got motion-sickness from watching the first video and a bit from this one (for the first time ever while watching youtube) had to stop to write this comment.
You can organize the place like a grocery store. All the most popular and sought after on the outer parts and the less on the inside, end caps with deals. So many western, not sure anyone is looking for the genre anymore. Maybe put out some feelers in the book community if anyone is looking for certain things. Maybe have an auction, or a place that takes books and dispose of them properly.
If things aren't moving in stores, owners need to move them somewhere else or get rid of them. Maybe look at the layout of local stores, ask for suggestions. Books stores in different states, how they lay their stuff out, what hard decisions they need to make and what they buy. What is popular in your town? What are people looking for. You can ask suggestions from people who come in. Maybe there is too much of a selection, maybe the type of books isn't relevant anymore.
Separate by seasons, all the fall and Halloween books in a temp section and exchange them with the season. It could be a different book from different genres.
Looking forward to seeing all the changes you are going to make. There is lots of light, with beautiful windows and doors, which is great and i can imagine it all styled up with oak wooden bookcases and an oak herringbone wooden floor with lots of plants, a wee coffee/hot chocolate machine and pastries. Book club evenings ❤. I appreciate these are my thoughts and following to see how you style it up and what you will do once the styling is done! Wish I could help out! ❤ Best wishes from Northern Ireland x
We seem to be very much on the same wavelength 💚 I’m excited for you to watch along as we make changes, I think you’ll love the final result as much as we will! Thank you for supporting us from ~5,000 miles away! We appreciate you so much!
@bookshopbesties I'm sure it will be fantastic, I can't wait! 📚🤗🐶❤️
wow so much more organized and neat looking, you can really tell you've been working at it. the windows unblocked give so much light to the shop. i cant tell on the video if you have already done this, but dont forget to turn some of the books on the bar shelf around so when looking in from the window outside it looks inviting and not just the backs of books. use that window like a clothing shop would for display to lure in customers. like the bar shelf is your mannequin lol
Ugh I really want to go help you out!!!!!! I love organizing books 😊
I'm loving these vlogs! They bring back so many memories for me. Three times in my life I have had the fun, and headaches, of reorganising a bookshop (once secondhand books, and new books twice). Really enjoying seeing your thought process and progress😊
I absolutely love this, feels like we're facetiming
I’m so happy UA-cam recommended this channel this is a dream and I’m so excited to keep watching the progress 😊
Such great helper this lovely dog especially when she stands up on the desk haha. I love your journey
Amazon has those motion sensor bells. We used to use them when I worked at a hotel in our treat shop to prevent people from stealing 😊 (For you bell at the front when people come in)
Oh my gosh, love that, thank you! Ordering now!!
abt the planning where what should go, we had to redesign a part of the library in school and we drew little plans with where things could go. maybe that would be helpful to think everything through and see if you like it before starting and then having to restart again
Yes, that is a great point! And once we build new shelves, everything will have a permanent home! For right now, I’m all over the place trying to figure it out but drawing things out will help so much, thank you for the suggestion!
You should play some jazz! (You probably already do, and just turn it off for the videos.) But that way if there's someone browsing, having music playing might help them feel less self conscious of being the only customer in the store at the moment and they won't have to worry so much about how loud they are walking. It is just a nice ambiance!
Totally! I play a variety of music (normally all instrumental) each day. I’m a big fan of piano, so I play lots of classical but normally do jazz on Fridays or Saturdays since it’s a little more upbeat and fun 😆
Hello, unwanted advise: since you just started making videos, on the "down below" section always repeat all your social media addresses, Amazon wish list, website, how to order, etc... It's faster for people watching the video to access them directly instead of going in another tab and then look for another link etc... there is a lot of videos on you tube an very little time! from a book lover to another (envy) 😉
That is a fabulous space, once you both finish all the renovations it'll be fantastic.
Thank you so much! We’re so excited for the end result!
The way my brain works, I'd be mapping out the footprint and height of all the shelves on paper, with a scale blueprint of the room, the rough book capacity of the shelves with a margin for error, and the number of books I have of each genre, with a margin for error, and working it out on paper, keeping track of the shelf depth, just to save myself having to re-arrange everything repeatedly. I know not everyone can work that way though. But that way I could plan from a blank slate where I wanted all the shelves and books to go and then work towards that. I don't know how your computer system works, but I code, so I'd definitely be making sure the program had counters to tell me how many books there should be of each genre. Right now a big part of what governs where my books go at home has become less genre and more which shelves are tall enough for which books, even if that can tend to go along with genre/section at times.
One of my other main concerns would be combating the fact that customers would tend to move and carry books around, colour coding the books or maybe making drop off carts where people can easily put books they'd rather put back, just because I wouldn't want to hunt for them.
I would definitely recommend re-building the shelves, even if it's out of what you already have, so you have deeper shelves in any of the sections that need them lower down on the wall. I'd personally also be putting chunky short feet on all the shelves to keep them off the floor and promote air flow, but that might be way more of a concern in my climate and I'm sure if the books are fine now, then you aren't going to suddenly develop any new problems. Maybe building chunkier deeper shelves for the bottom of the wall to bump everything else up on would be the logical first step to making the shelves extend further up the wall?
It's looking good and it looks like you're making a lot of progress.
YT is so clever. Recommended your channel to me. I will be def to place an order with you guys. Thanks. All the best. I am so excited for your journey.
Thank you so much, that’s so wonderful to hear! We appreciate your support and words of encouragement 🩵
I think the best thing bookstores do is have books in easy reach for when you walk in that are a sure shot. If I see that someone else liked it I’m so much more likely to buy it on my first time in a store.
Meadow looks like Frodo from Rachel Maksy's channel. 🥰
I live in Denmark and work in a bookstore, so I can relate to all the shuffle and organizing. Books are heavy! 😅
Your work pays off, it is looking so much better. Best of luck to you two. 🌸
I love second hand book shops, got loads of good books in the past...Withington Bookshop, Manchester was good!
I seem to have your own system, but I used to measure “shelf meters” of each of our sections and map them up before moving around too much, just to kind of seeing it add up.
This is genius! Thank you for sharing!
It's like I can hear my brain... LOVE your shop and all the changes already. Excited about all still to come!
This is so relaxing to watch! I was thinking at @10:50 "Check the kid's section!" 😂 You have a lovely voice! Can't wait to see your progress! Thanks for sharing!
Dying for another video!
I will be posting a new one soon, I promise! Now that Carla is back from Europe, it’ll be easier for me to be more consistent with posting 💛💛 thank you for your patience and support!!
Watching from the other side of the world and rooting for you to turn this into a succes! Really fun to follow along in your journey
Thank you so much! So cool that you are supporting us from so far away, we appreciate you!!
It’s looking so much better already, look forward to following your bookstore journey
I'd love to do this, how exciting for you. in terms of your book stock though, i think you need to be ruthless and trim down the stock by decided which books you want to keep and which you don't. i think if you could trim down the stock, maybe put some in storage, and stick to selling the books that are most attractive to your client base, you'll find that the whole shop will attract more footfall. I love books, i'm a book lover too, but there comes a point in time when that much stock, is just overwhelming even for customers to look through. it's a question of space, the books need to breath so that the customers can see them. i don't know if that even makes sense... what i mean to say is that they are getting lost in amongst each other.
I love your videos. All the hard work, such a labor of love. Your shop looks amazing and you are making great progress. I love the kids section and your window seating, and your doggie!
thank you for adding some music 😊 it makes it easier for my adhd brain to actually watch the video and not just skip forward 😅
Omg of course! I actually also have ADHD and didn’t realize until several days after posting the first video that I forgot to add music to the timelapsed bits 🤦🏻♀️🤣 I was just so excited to post and tired of editing that it completely slipped my mind! Live and learn 🤪
Absolutely love the chaotic energy we have going on. Also you two are living my dream really, I maybe will be able to live it some day but for now school is most important. Love your content and will absolutely continue following your journey !
Haha thank you, I appreciate hearing that! I was thinking while editing “hmm maybe I should be calmer” but it’s good to know you were entertained. I hope you can own your own bookshop someday but totally understand and respect your decision to focus on school first! Best of luck with your studies!
That counter area is so so pretty! I would definitely walk in!
It’s an overwhelming job! You have great ideas and have done so much in a short time. Looking welcoming, I’d definitely want to visit if I didn’t live on the west coast. The camera scanning was starting to make me dizzy. Lol , you too! Wishing you much success and happiness in your business.
The dream for me would be getting the shop organized and then spending the days sitting at the counter, doing some light organizing, and reading while customers shop
This is *exactly* what I’m looking forward to as well! And writing my own book when I’m not reading or helping customers 🩵
You popped up on my feed. I follow you on Tiktok. 😊 Such a cute bookshop.
Thank you so much for your support here and on TikTok! ❤️
Wow. Amazed with what you’ve accomplished!
I wonder if you can combine the narrow shelves? If you take off the back of one and put it in front of another and then use wood or brackets to attach them? So every two narrow shelves becomes one deeper shelf... Maybe not the most perfect result but at least you wouldn't have to buy as much new materials?
These videos are so soothing. I listen while I do yoga 😅
Love your project! But sure do have a thing about stacked books, how can you browse and read the backs easily? Especially if you already have a book in your hand..
love when there's a selection of books displayed on tables.. Fantastic work, 👏 💐
As a former Christian romance reader, as soon as you said you were going to put them on the small shelf I knew exactly what was going to happen.... 😅
The children's section is looking so good!
I can't wait to see if this turns out to be a profitable/feasible venture. Its also a dream of mine, do enjoy the process.
I love these videos! I have always been curious about the behind-the-scenes of a used bookstore. Like many in the comments have said, this would be a dream job. The vibe there is just so calm and relaxing (and your narration is very soothing also). One day I'll come and visit! (I'm in Pasadena so far but do-able). :)
I'm in love with this entire channel!! It's so lovely and heartwarming to watch the two of you chase your dreams.❤
Thank you so much, this comment warmed my heart! ❤️❤️
Thank goodness you recorded the order to move everything! You can always play it back! 😂❤ Congratulations on your new store! You remind me of Anne Hathaway!
Oh my gosh, thank you, that completely made my day 🥹😆
So impressed with your tetris as you manage to stay open while making these changes!
Omg the doggie standing at the desk😍😍😍
Hi, you could have the trolley upfront by the counter with random books that may Pop out at people as they are paying for the books they have already chosen.
Organising shelves is the best videos to watch 💖💖 can’t wait to see the final product!
Thrilled to see you are in CA! Only a couple of hours from where I live and have friends in the area! I'm excited at the possibility to stop by some time!
Oh how cool! We look forward to meeting you someday ☺️
Those thin shelves are so unpracticle ! You should replace them with deeper shelves so that it would be easier to fit all sizes of books of the same genre into each section ! And wooden floors would look amazing and would be easier to clean too ! I love the curtain pattern, it's really cute.
I don't understand why you don't build the shelves you want first and then organize
I totally agree, the narrow shelves are truly awful! The reason we haven’t built new ones yet (and why we haven’t also put in hardwood floors) is that we’re saving up because lumber is so expensive! So we’re just working with what we’ve got right now but will hopefully get working on the shelves in a few weeks! Our property manager actually told us he didn’t want us to close at all for renovations, so we have to make changes slowly and just during the days that the shop is closed normally 🙂 thank you so much for watching and commenting!
@@bookshopbesties I understand better, thank you. Owning a book shop is my dream too so I'm rooting for you!
My husband’s favorites are history. My favorite section is thrillers.
Meadow was like “girl why you asking me 🥴 “
I love your videos. I love how you talk things out. I totally do that. Hope I can visit your shop someday.
Just found your channel. Hello from Australia. You are certainly living my dream. To be surrounded by books all day ❤️❤️❤️❤️ loving what your doing and I love your gorgeous dogs. Good luck with your new adventure. P.s. I love visiting second hand bookshops
Thank you so much!! I love that you’re watching all the way from Australia, I’ve always wanted to visit ❤️
I love how much more light there is with the windows no longer being obstructed 🫶🏼
Same! I can’t believe the previous owners covered so many great windows. Like the one place you’d want lots of natural light would be a book store! Lol
Where is your shop? I’d love to visit sometime! I also have to second what someone else said about having a bag sale of some kind to try to do a mass clear out to help you with organizing. It seems like there’s just too much product to effectively manage right now. Wishing you guys the best of luck! You are so motivated and you’re going to turn this store into something even greater. It’ll be a special place for your neighborhood ❤
Love the idea of you guys documenting this journey! Looking forward to more videos :)
Thank you so much ❤️
Just found y'all this week! So impressive to see all the work you've done. It reminds me of my own hometown's used bookstore, and it's so cool that you are working to keep this tradition alive.
I LOVE seeing jigsaw puzzles in the shop! I often wish I lived close to an indie shop that offered used books and jigsaw puzzles. Perhaps you could continue accepting donated puzzles?
We definitely will, we’re both jigsaw puzzle fans, too, so it’s only natural 🤣 we actually just got donated three more yesterday, and they’re big ones for adults! So fun!
You should have a plan on paper to help you decide where to move what.
I love bookshops. Looking forward to seeing it fully organised
This is so interesting! I've always wondered how bookstore owners decide how to organize books and seeing you make this store your own is awesome! Hope Carla has enjoyed Europe!
Would love to see some customer reactions to all the changes!
I love the big yellow ducting in the ceiling, feel like I would try to embrace that with bright colored shelves/flooring
Wow this is so awesome! Definitely my dream. Way to go👏🏼 it looks great!