I just talked with Lisa Perry, the owner of Fremont used bookstore Ophelia’s Books. After fourteen years in the business, Perry is moving to San Francisco later this year and she wants to sell her bookstore by the end of March.
Perry has been thinking about selling her store for about a year now. She’s going to continue in the book business in some capacity after the move, primarily selling books online. “I’ve been enjoying” online sales, she says, but she admits “I’m a little burnt out on the retail end of things.” The new owner would be buying pretty much everything, most importantly “about 18,000 books.” Perry adds, “All the fixtures would go with it; the bookcases, the rugs, the lights, the computer, and maybe even the cats if they want them.”
Perry rents the Ophelia’s space, but she says “The landlord is definitely willing to continue the space as a bookstore and he’d be willing to write a letter of intent for any prospective buyer.” She does note that the current lease is up in June. But does she think that there’s a future in running a bookstore? How’s the location doing? “It is definitely quieter than it has been,” Perry says. “It’s like any other bookstore. We’re all kind of struggling in the face of Kindles and all that.”
But she thinks the location could work with a little excitement on the part of the new owner. “Part of my problem is that I’ve lost a little enthusiasm over the years,” she says. “I do think that if someone came in with a lot of enthusiasm they could make some changes and fix it up. It’s not a huge moneymaker but it’s viable. Anybody looking to buy a bokstore would already know it’s not a huge moneymaker.”
If you’re interested, you can call Ophelia’s books at 632-3759 or contact them via e-mail.
She’s selling the cats? 🙁
I live a few blocks away and love Ophelia’s so I hope can stay in operation! I’ve got quite a few books from there and it’s one of my favorite stores in the neighborhood. I hope the cats have a good place to live one way or the other, they are a great part of the store.
@1: I think she was joking, but maybe if your bid was high enough…
@3 you think she was joking or she WAS joking? there’s a big difference between what you think and what’s fact.
The Internet has no sense of humor when it comes to cats, apparently.
Just want I wanted for Christmas!
But how is the office break-in going? It was all I could think about today…and can someone make sure Mr. Brissey isn’t having FourLoko flashbacks in a broom closet somewhere?
Well–let’s look on the bright side. If the bookstore goes away, maybe someone can address the shortage of women’s clothing boutiques in Fremont.
@9: Her husband works (or used to work) for MSFT. They didn’t need the bookstore to survive.
Canuck, I think Grant is easily distracted by being so high right now. Maybe we’ll see some latenite hijinx from the bearded one.
I hope the cats can come up with the cash to take over the store.
Speaking of which–non sequitur alert!–someone tell Savage to get on this shit after the new year starts and school is back in session:
School outed teen to parents, said it was ‘legally obligated’: lawsuit
(And it’s much worse than the headline indicates.)
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/schoo…
If anything, gus, this will be an interesting experiment in the bodily effects of bourbon/caffeine consumption combined with an empty office. Did he tell anyone his safe word? I will wait with baited breath for further developments…
Why does the selling of the cats have to be a joke? That store is their home. I believe (not certain) that she has other cats in her regular home. Maybe it wouldn’t be good to combine the store cats with the home cats once in SF. The store cats would probably be happier to remain in the store.
I went in once. Rude bitch. Never went back.
@5: Didn’t you know? The Internet is MADE of cats!
Great, another thread with angry single women and their cats.
does it smell like cat in the store? i have been there but it has been a stretch since my last visit!
the rent must be insane – after all, it is center of the stuck on itself universe known as fremont. meh.
No thanks. I am, however, interested in purchasing a beeper store. I want to be the beeper king of Seattle. Now that’s a practical business that will always be profitable!
As a co-owner of the building, we would love to see it continue as a bookstore. Hope the new owners take the cats too, it’s their home! Nope, the store doesn’t smell like cats.. or their box. Rent isn’t cheap, but we own the building (and have since 1935), so we aren’t anywhere near as expensive as the other landlords in Fremont. Of course if it doesn’t work out.. we always have plenty of interest in “space for rent” from prospective tenants looking to put in another “thai restaurant”!, we already have a womens clothing store in the building….