Good for you, Jesse!! I hope you can get it to work! If you don't have big-box competition, even better. Definitely do a lot of research by checking out all different bookstores, all different clientele and sizes, and talk to the managers, especially those with indie stores. Do a little websurfing and see if you can find an LJ indie-bookstore-owner group, and contact the ABA (American Booksellers Association) for support groups and networking. Research the hell out of your field and neighborhood before committing to a business plan and loan.

Joining the ABA costs like $350, which I figure I should earn working in a bookstore to show myself good faith. And then there's so many resources! There's really a ton of shit out there. Of course, there are also small bookstores closing all the freaking time, but still.

In today's bookselling world, I'd definitely back up your IRL store with a decent website--online orders, especially if a local customer can order at midnight for pickup in a few days at your store is a big plus over Amazon.

So many things to think about!

Jesse--my mom had a used bookstore for many years, and one of the things which drew customers in was unique cards which she kept right by the window. People would come in to get a handmade birthday card and walk out with a couple of mysteries and a cookbook.

Eh I am not looking forward to working tomorrow. On the upside I am sleepy so it won't be a big stretch to get myself in bed in a while (I'm east coast so it's almost 11)

I'm about to open an ING checking account. Anyone have a referral link they want to shoot me? I don't know for sure if you can get the bonus since I already have the savings account, but it can't hurt to try.

Robin, for a good wall sconce, you might want to wait for Restoration Hardware's big lamp sale. That's when we got sconces. I think it was in October or November or so, soon.

Jesse, I don't know if I've mentioned it (and fie on me if I haven't), but a former coworker of mine opened a bookstore a few miles up the road from me in an antique district just this year. Let me know if you want her email.

So the dog I linked to yesterday was taken by the people who saw her last night. Pooh.

OTOH, I just got back from seeing another dog, who is a very sweet, small, slightly shy bitch, about two years old. She was reserved and then very excited to chase the ball around the yard, and happy to go for a walk, even if she wasn't really any good on the leash (she pulled). I liked her a lot, and I think she'd settle in well with me. So hopefully I will get her, if the people who called about her first don't decide to take her.

And then I'll have to collect names, because there's no way I'm subjecting a dog of mine to "Blondie" for the rest of her life. That's just wrong.