Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Elfers.
Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back in the mid 2000s, my brother worked at a bookstore in Provincetown, MA. The bookstore is called Tim’s Used Books. Inspired by the success of Tim’s store, brother began amassing an inventory of his own and launched his own bookstore about a decade later on Cape Cod, MA. Once I saw my brother’s store, I decided that I would like to try opening my own store in Ohio. I began spending my days off from my day job hunting down books and building my own inventory. After a few years, I had enough inventory to comfortably open a shop of my own. I knew I wanted to be in Lakewood because of the dense and diverse population – it seemed like a perfect analog to Provincetown. I opened mid 2019. Since then I’ve expanded the shop to twice its original size.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a new business is always difficult. Many people thought I was crazy for opening a bookstore, and I took their concerns seriously. However, I knew that the model which my brother and I employed (at our own shops respectively) was unique and had a chance at thriving. Getting started was a little rough, but there was enough initial success to keep my spirits high. I had to allocate funds throughout the process to renovate the space which made things more difficult but in the end it was worth it. I feel these investments have made the store a much more enjoyable experience for the customers.
We’ve been impressed with Book Brothers, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Book Brothers provides a unique shopping experience for our customers. We focus on providing high quality books and media at reasonable prices. What sets Book Brothers apart from the competition is a commitment to ensuring a steady turnover of books, records, CDs, movies, etc. which range from the obscure to bestsellers. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail – only stocking items in excellent condition. We bring in new items daily from a variety of sources, but always with a discerning eye for quality.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Perseverance. There were many doubtful days in the beginning. It’s a tough business to begin with, but throw in global pandemic scares, fluctuating economic conditions, etc. and the doubts begin to creep in. However, I always had faith in the vision for Book Brothers and that has allowed me to stay the course and grow along the way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bookbrothersohio
