Bad On Paper Podcast: Episode Summary – "Running a Bookstore with Maura Cheeks"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Bad On Paper
• Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
• Episode: Running a Bookstore with Maura Cheeks
• Release Date: April 2, 2025
• Description: Join Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter every Wednesday for a dose of books and banter, along with interviews with women who inspire us.

1. Celebrating Seven Years and Setting the Stage (00:18 – 06:03)

Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter kick off the episode by reflecting on the podcast's seven-year anniversary, a significant milestone they hadn't properly celebrated due to vacation schedules.

Becca humorously remarks, "I cannot believe that it's taken seven years to do an episode about the day-to-day operations of a bookstore" (00:44), highlighting their longstanding interest in delving into the intricacies of bookstore management.

The hosts share their personal highs and lows for the week:

• Olivia's High: Experiencing a moment of inspiration while editing, where she solved multiple problems simultaneously. "It's like, you know when you do something when you're editing and it feels like putting a bow on a package and tightening it." (02:07)

• Becca's High: Anticipation of her upcoming trip to Paris and Bordeaux, emphasizing the joy of exploring new places and indulging in good food and art. "I'm so excited to go on a trip. I'm taking off work. I'm not working at all while I'm there." (03:06)

• Olivia's Low: Dealing with frequent power outages caused by strong winds, impacting her white noise machine and daily routines. "Our Power goes out constantly with the slightest breeze." (05:03)

• Becca's Low: Stress over packing for her trip, especially regarding weather unpredictability and shoe choices. "I'm stressed about packing for this week... I do feel like we're still in sweater weather." (04:02)

2. Sponsor Segment: Nuuly Clothing Rental (06:03 – 08:23)

The hosts transition to a sponsored message from Nuuly, a clothing rental subscription service. Olivia shares her appreciation for Nuuly, stating, "Nuuly makes it really easy to experiment with different styles and not be afraid that it won't fit me or I'll only wear it once." (06:11).

Becca adds her personal experience, highlighting how Nuuly's diverse selection allowed her to curate a vibrant wardrobe for her upcoming trip to France without the commitment of purchasing new pieces. "The great thing about Nuuly is that you get your choice of any six styles each month... Plus you can always buy the items you love at a discount." (06:56)

3. Interview with Maura Cheeks: Owner of Liz's Book Bar (08:23 – 47:15)

Introduction to Maura Cheeks (08:23 – 10:09)

The spotlight shifts to guest Maura Cheeks, author of "Acts of Forgiveness" and owner of Liz's Book Bar in Brooklyn.

Becca introduces Maura: "Liz's Book Bar imagines the country has just passed the nation's first reparations bill for black families." (08:23).

Maura’s Inspiration and Bookstore Genesis (10:09 – 11:15)

Maura shares her childhood dream of opening a coffee shop inspired by visits with her grandmother to bookstores like Borders. This vision evolved into merging a coffee shop with a bookstore, culminating in Liz's Book Bar.

• Becca: "You called it Liz's Book Bar in honor of your grandmother, which I thought was so sweet and lovely." (10:09)
• Maura: "It's been really nice to see the reactions of my family and the community to the store having my grandmother's name." (11:02)

Launching the Bookstore: Steps and Challenges (11:15 – 16:43)

Maura details the arduous process of starting her bookstore:

1. Financial Planning: Securing an SBA loan with the help of a business advisor from Pace University. "The first step was getting an SBA loan... It took about seven months to a year." (11:28)

2. Training and Mentorship: Gaining operational insights by working at Book Club Bar and utilizing resources like the bookstore training program from Paths and Associates. "It's an intense operation that you don't realize how operationally complex it is until you're in it." (15:12)

3. Inventory Management: Understanding the nuances of book ordering frequency and shelf management. "I reorder books every day or every two days... we're constantly getting deliveries." (15:12)

Differentiating in a Competitive Market (16:43 – 25:04)

In Brooklyn, a literary hub with multiple bookstores, Maura emphasizes the importance of creating a unique customer experience.

• Maura: "We need the books like the Miranda Julys that are going to sell because people expect them... and also interesting books that we love." (15:46)

She highlights Liz's Book Bar’s distinct offering of a comfortable space with a bar and cafe, fostering an environment reminiscent of her bookstore experiences with her grandmother.

Inventory and Ordering Strategies (25:04 – 36:34)

Maura dives deep into the logistics of stocking her store:

• Distributors and Publishers: Collaborating with Ingram for broad distribution and directly with publishers like Penguin for better discounts. "Penguin gives a bigger discount, which improves our margins." (25:04)

• Order Quantities: Balancing between having enough copies of bestsellers and niche titles. Reflecting on challenges like understocking bestsellers, "There was a big book... I sold out on the first day." (26:29)

• Restocking Timelines: Leveraging quick restocking from major distributors while managing customer expectations. "Penguin, if you order it, it will be here in like, two days." (27:53)

Customer Profile and Bookstore Dynamics (34:54 – 35:47)

Maura describes her typical customer as literate, aged between 35-50, often professionals in publishing and media residing in a prestigious publishing neighborhood. This alignment ensures a passionate customer base that resonates with her book selections.

• Maura: "We have a mix of bestsellers and obscure literary books... customer preferences align well with mine." (35:47)

Financial Insights: Margins and Business Model (35:47 – 37:39)

Understanding the economics of bookstore operations:

• Profit Margins: "We get books at an average of 42% margin." (36:09)
• Pricing Constraints: Unlike other retail sectors, bookstores cannot alter book prices, making margin management crucial. "You can lower it, but you can never mark it up higher." (36:21)

Maura shares her strategy of minimizing costs by ordering directly from publishers to maximize profitability.

Merchandising and Display Strategies (37:39 – 39:40)

Effective merchandising plays a pivotal role in sales:

• Rotating Displays: Themed displays are updated monthly to highlight various genres and interests. "We have a little table when you first enter that's like a themed display that we rotate every three weeks or every month." (37:39)

• Impact on Sales: Well-curated displays can revive the sales of previously stagnant books. "There will be books that haven't sold for two or three months, and then they'll sell instantly." (39:07)

Author Events: Hosting and Impact (39:40 – 43:37)

Maura discusses the nuanced approach to author events:

• Curated Conversations: Focusing on meaningful dialogues rather than traditional book launches to foster genuine engagement. "We're doing it because we have a relationship with the author or we believe in the book." (40:12)

• Challenges: Balancing event logistics with the limited ROI, especially for smaller bookstores. "Author events can be challenging. They can be rewarding, but they're challenging." (40:12)

• Support for Authors: Emphasizing the importance of authors supporting bookstores that genuinely resonate with their work. "It's about making sure the bookstore loves your book." (40:12)

Advocating for Independent Bookstores (43:37 – 46:52)

Addressing competition with giants like Amazon:

• Supporting Local Businesses: Maura urges listeners to plan their reading lists to support independent bookstores. "If you can build out your reading list and just plan ahead, you can support innovative bookstores." (44:58)

• Personal Responsibility: Encouraging conscious consumerism to sustain beloved local spaces. "I really try not to order from Amazon for anything... spaces like Liz's can continue to exist because of regulars who come every single day." (46:16)

Connecting with Maura (46:52 – 47:15)

Listeners are guided on how to support and follow Maura’s endeavors:

• Website & Social Media: Visit LizsBookBar.com, follow on Instagram @LizsBookBar.
• Location: 315 Smith Street, Brooklyn.

4. Sponsor Segment: Cozy Earth (47:15 – 48:38)

The episode includes a promotional segment for Cozy Earth, highlighting their luxurious bedding and sleepwear designed to enhance comfort and relaxation. Olivia encourages listeners to utilize the exclusive discount code BOP for 40% off at CozyEarth.com.

5. Hosts' Personal Updates and Book Club (48:43 – 56:43)

Becca and Olivia share their current obsessions and reading selections:

• Becca's Obsessions:

  • Anti-Obsession: Disappointment with the "Frozen Sour Fruit" trend, which didn't meet her expectations despite its popularity. "It's too sour. Like, it's painful." (50:44)
  • Rewatching Lost: Discovering that actor Ken Leung, who plays Miles on Lost, is also Eric on Industry. "It's like one universe where he was a psychic on this magical island and then got out of that game and then went into high finance." (51:18)

• Olivia's Obsessions:

  • Severance Finale: Anticipation and mixed feelings about watching the finale, contemplating the experience of viewing it solo versus with others. "I'm kind of feeling like I might just wait for the show. Is it gonna be a show or the movie?" (54:07)

Book Club Pick: (55:13 – 56:43)

The hosts announce their book club selection for the month:

• Book: An island-themed novel set near Antarctica featuring the Salt family managing a remote research station. The plot thickens when a woman washes ashore, unveiling twists and emotional narratives. "It's beautiful. I cried." (55:13)
• Discussion Date: Last Wednesday of April.
• Engagement: Listeners are encouraged to join the Facebook group on the Geneva app and follow the podcast on Instagram @atonpaperpodcast.

6. Conclusion and Farewell (56:43 – End)

The episode wraps up with hosts expressing their enthusiasm for the insightful interview with Maura and their anticipation for the upcoming book club discussion.

Becca: "Olivia, that interview was a dream." (48:43)

Olivia: "It was. Are you plotting something?" (48:43)

Becca: "I'm fascinated by the things I didn't know about what is kind of an aspect of my career." (48:58)

Listeners are invited to subscribe, follow on social media, and join the community discussions to stay engaged with future episodes and events.

Notable Quotes:

• "You can plan for years, but I think every bookstore is different in terms of the volume they're doing all their reordering." – Maura Cheeks (15:12)
• "You can build out your reading list and just plan ahead, you can support innovative bookstores." – Maura Cheeks (44:58)
• "Author events can be challenging. They can be rewarding, but they're challenging." – Maura Cheeks (40:12)

Timestamp Highlights:

• 00:18 – Hosts welcome back listeners and reflect on podcast anniversary.
• 08:23 – Introduction of Maura Cheeks and her achievements.
• 15:12 – Discussion on the complexities of running a bookstore.
• 44:58 – Advocacy for supporting independent bookstores over large retailers.
• 55:13 – Announcement of the book club selection.

This episode offers a deep dive into the operational challenges and rewarding aspects of running an independent bookstore in a bustling literary hub like Brooklyn. Through Maura Cheeks' experiences, listeners gain valuable insights into inventory management, customer engagement, and the delicate balance between passion and business in the world of bookselling. The hosts, Becca and Olivia, seamlessly blend their personal anecdotes with Maura's professional journey, creating an engaging and informative narrative for book enthusiasts and aspiring bookstore owners alike.