DH said, "yes, dear". So, MN, I'd like your opinion...

[PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife]

I think I have just figured out what to do with myself now I have no job - I want to open a 2nd-hand bookstore-cake/coffee shop - with a large area for littlies to play. I'm thinking "women's-y" kind of books - chicklit, romances, self-help, crime-thrillers (feel free to suggest what you'd read here).

Ignore, for a moment, that what I know about running a business could be written on the back of a grape.

Is this a good idea? Or do mums with littlies just not have time to read?

From what I've heard, bookshops make NO money.

Here's another book recommendation for you ignore the title. I think there's some e.gs of academics doing other things in there.

I only get 6 hours a week, apart from the evenings...

How about a bead shop franchise?
This would work if you have a mixture of 'crafty' old ladies and 'make my own jewellery' young girls in the area.

I have a souvenir/craft shop in Granada, Spain. I never meant to, honest, it just happened...

never mind the title, it's written by PO. who knew tellytubbies could write?!

Senora - thanks! will go and have a look.

Isn't there anything you miss? You LIKED it here didn't you?

P.S. What happened to the Monday Debates? I used to enjoy watching women far more intelligent and articulate than I wielding their hefty swords of something or other...sorry, ran out of metafor....

The one in Alnwick is called Barter Books - it's brilliant!

Love the idea of a bookshop... but also like squeaver have a feeling they don't make much money.

Good luck with whatever you end up doing though!

Barter Books

I agree, it wouldn't make money

BUT if you could spin it as a community thing, you might be able to get it grant-funded!

mums with small children

a) don't have time to read much
b) can't read with small children around
c) many don't have an money

I don't think it'll make any money tbh

How about 2nd hand kids/pregnancy stuff in general?
You could sell stuff on people's behalf and /or buy and sell.
If you pick and chose and only take the best it could be really good.

funny, www - I have a 1yo, do 100% of the childcare, and am getting through 5 (library) books a week atm.

thanks for the barter books link. that's one idea - maybe if I started with the cake/play, we could work up a barter system for the books...

NOW you're talking, Nocca and Shitemum

Had thought I could set up a bfing support group to meet there - I have a friend back home who trained as a bfc, my sister is a MW, then if it had parenting/kids books...

and money books, I reckon.

Dress it up as a bookshop, but I think your money would be in selling coffee and nice cakes (and snacks for littlies).

My ambition versus consumption correlation of books is the inverse to that of coffee - guess which way round!

I'd also have a sideline as a kids clothes 2nd hand agency (e.g. you take v. good quality 2nd hand kids clothes from your customers, display them in a corner, and if any sell share the proceeds with the original owner 3:1 or whatever. ).

Why not talk to one of those 'so you want to set up a business' type charities - princes trust? I think there are lots of others whose name escapes me.

huh, 2nd-hand kids clothes... v interesting idea kif, thanks!

Reckon Nocca's got a good idea there - not come across a second hand kid's bookshop before and we all know how parents often end up buying stuff for the kids whereas they might well sacrifice their own purchases!

To reduce your risk - why not start off doing it as a playgroup type business, rather than taking the risk/commitment of getting your own premises.

I'm thinking, hire a community hall for a regular session a week. Bring your second hand books and whatever in the boot of your car.

It'd be a way of doing 'market research' on how much people buy - and what they buy.

You could also do a different area each day of the week, again to test the water for where the concept works.

I think it sounds brilliant, depending on your size / location loads of things you could use the shop for in the evening.

My Mums friend used to own a beautiful little bookshop in Oundle it doubled as an art gallery for her wood engravings.

Making it a local haven for mums / book clubs in the evenings. also remembering male only book groups / gatherings.

ooh I am very

golly, Kif, have one of these

you want to be my business partner?

Me and DH spend half our life planning the cafe we'll open when we're retired... I'm just living vicariously through you

psst, jingley, I won't be setting it up in the UK....

OOOoohhh please can you do it in our village... our local greengrocer has sadly just gone out of business, it is a lovely spot

no, but hey, I'll sell you the copyright - my rates are veerrrrry reasonable

thanks

There's a gorgeous cafe cum bookshop in Aberfeldy called the Watermill (www.aberfeldywatermill.com) which does events for all sorts of community groups and serves a small but tasty menu of Fair Trade teas, coffees, soups and cakes.

I visit every time I go back to Scotland - it's lovely!

yes, fondant, I've seen that in a few places - don't know what things are like back home though; for some reason books there are not cheap.

Yes I do need money shitemum, I mean, thanks to dh we have enough to eat but one day we'd like a mortgage too [greedy]. A salary would be better - I just can't for the life of me imagine how to get one!