ADAMS AVENUE NEWS
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A Positive Community Newspaper Created by Locals, for Locals, Supporting Local Businesses northparknews.biz/digital
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Vol. 23 No. 6 June 2015
The Hands-On Bookstore
Benefits of Shopping Local Independent local businesses employ an array of products and services that are good arguments for shopping and buying local. PAGE 4
The Shess Family in Cuba Cuba seemed such a far off and complicated adventure, but when North Park residents Tom and Phyllis Shess learned of a legal tour to the forbidden island, it was an opportunity too good to pass up. PAGE 6
Asset-Backed Loans A new source of capital is available and gaining in popularity — assetbacked loans. Personal-asset lenders take personal luxury assets as collateral for a short-term personal or business loan. PAGE 17
Winnie’s Picks Winnie Hanford of Kensington video talks about movie’s we should see this month. PAGE 20
Customer Tom McFarland pets Bartleby, the Adams Avenue Book Store mascot, while clerk Cas Rideout works in the background.
Loyal customer base keeps Adams Avenue Book Store thriving The Adams Avenue Book Store is a leader within the industry of dealing in fine used, out-of-print, and rare books. Established in 1965 by owner Brian Lucas, the landmark building houses an inventory of more than 50,000 books in over 100 subject categories that include Theology, Biblical Studies, Church History, Philosophy, History, Literature, Poetry, Humor, Psychology, Children, and Cook books. Books are bought or traded based on their demand, the author, or their age. “It’s an interesting proposition to confront any number of categories or types of books in an instant,” says store manager Michael Smythe. “We have a fairly brisk business of people of all ages visiting because of our extensive collections. We have a large philosophy section, that’s atypical and difficult to cultivate. Our theology collection includes church history, spirituality, spiritual history, and specific religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Hindus, Christianity and Judaism. We have medieval history, another category that’s challenging to cultivate and music, art, and history. And we’re keen on keeping a large poetry section.” According to Smythe, all books are in good condition. “No indelible marks or bumped corners,” he says.
“We like books that are idiosyncratic in nature – that is one of a kind and up to snuff.” Two floors span 3,500 square feet and include back rooms, alcoves and enclaves that allow readers to sit quietly to peruse and choose. Clerks include Michael Smythe, Betsy Brown and antiquarian Scott Emerson, a children’s book collector specialist. Lucas bought the building almost 30 years ago and kept the venue a bookstore as it had been for more than 50 years. According to Smythe, books have been “part and parcel of Brian’s life.” Almost every new book can be ordered as well as some recently published, out of print, and those considered scarce. Rare books are kept in a protected glass case inclusive of a 1599 Latin Bible. High value books are demarcated for auction with sales for some books as high as $100,000. It’s no simple feat that the Adams Avenue Bookstore has survived the onset of Amazon. “Our bread and butter depends on people visiting the store even in light of the Internet,” says Smythe. “Our customers range from soup to nuts,” explains bookseller Betsy Brown. “Some buy shopping bags full of books and others visit every week and buy one book. We also have a
BY LUCIA VITI PHOTOS BY MANNY CRUZ
Established in 1965 by owner Brian Lucas, the landmark building houses an inventory of more than 50,000 books in over 100 subject categories
large clientele of parents who actively instill the love of books to their children. We’re a home away from home for kids that we’ve known long enough to measure their height on a chart sketched on the backroom door-jam. Kids are also encouraged to stand on the stool and ring a service bell that summons the shopkeeper to explain why they’ve picked their book. Adams Avenue Bookstore is an experience that encompasses the support of everyone who appreciates what it takes to keep a book store floating.” Brown admitted that early on she
was perplexed about the profile of the used book store customer. But The Adams Avenue Bookstore is valuable to the customer who’s looking for a comprehensive stock for conducting research. “We represent deep backlists that’s great for customers with a particular interest in a specific subject matter,” she says. “We can stock more books. And not just the brand new titles but books not necessarily found in the larger chains because the demand for extensive research in one pile of interest is much smaller than SEE BOOKSTORE, Page 10