The Baby Steps and Big Steps

Opening a used bookstore: The Larkspur success proves the power of focused selection. But storage costs are mounting, next-location hunting is urgent, and Stef articulates her complete mission: Every book has a story. Books build community. In hands not landfills. The community wall has been a revelation. "What was your favorite book as a child?"—people can't stop writing. It's become the heartbeat of the space. I talk about the Paradox of Choice—how a smaller, curated selection actually serves customers better than overwhelming them. That's the whole thesis of the Larkspur store, and it's working. But reality is setting in: adult books keep arriving. My count is pushing 15,000 now. I still have books in my house. And the storage unit? It's costing me money without generating revenue. Cost of goods isn't free if you're paying for storage. This accelerates the timeline—I need the next location sooner rather than later. If the first search took this long, the next one probably will too. Plus 4 months of buildout and setup. I'm getting creative: subleases are now an option I'm exploring, not just traditional retail leases. I also talk about my commitment to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and my connection to Zero Waste Marin. This isn't just philosophy—it's operational reality. And finally, I articulate my fully formed 3-pronged mission statement: Every book has a story Books build community In hands not landfills I'm introducing provenance tracking with bookmarks tied to "Every Book has a Story"—connecting readers across time. But I'm honest: the "In hands not landfills" part is a struggle. I'm determined to make it work, but it's hard. Current Book Count: ~15,000 (and climbing) Baby steps got us here. Big steps come next. Follow along as The Phoenix Used Bookshop continues to rise—subscribe to A Bookshop of My Own and get updates at phoenixusedbookshop.com. Links mentioned: The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz Zero Waste Marin Submit a book request