The Bookmark Bookstore:
An Interview with Bob Frey, Manager
As anyone who visits the Bookmark Bookstore knows, Bob Frey has been the "manager extraordinaire" since the store's move to its present location in October 1995. At lunch one day, we talked about the store, its development and future plans.
Having an extensive background in retail marketing and a love of books, Bob has developed the store's inviting and comfortable atmosphere. There are display tables with books to catch your attention, chairs conveniently located for the customers to sit and browse, shelves labeled for easy location as to topic and interest and even a step-ladder for us physically-challenged book-lovers. Recently, wine boxes with "little treats," such as Peter Pauper Press books, have been added. Every bit of space in the bookstore is utilized since walls are often covered with old sheet music, ballet programs, and, on occasion, collectible comic books.
In a front corner of the store, there is a cat, actually a quilt, quietly sitting--and inviting everyone to find a book or two --and stay for a while.
Obviously, all this works--since people do come into the store, buy a book or two and then become repeat customers, some coming daily--even more than once a day.
With such loyal customers, some even look to the store as a "kind of lending library," since they buy the book, read it and donate it back--all within a short while. They then also donate their other books to find a new home.
Inventory is extremely varied and derives all from donations. Local bookstores are very generous. And, when Bibliomania bookstore first offered fifty boxes of books, the quality of stock increased. There are frequent donations from Half-Price Bookstore. Institutions such as Mills College, California College of Arts and Crafts, and UC Berkeley also donate high quality books to The Bookmark.
Private donors contribute books, records, video tapes, art magazines, poetry journals, and other periodicals. Sets of encyclopedias, including the Britannica, Great Book Series, Heritage Editions and autographed first editions are generously contributed. This writer has found several children's' books, which were autographed by the authors with illustrated captions.
Because there is such a variety, customers come into the store and request specific books or certain topics of interests, such as older cookbooks, ballet programs, history of Latvia, World War II memorabilia, humor by Wodehouse.
To help the customers, Bob provides a service infrequently offered by other bookstores. He has implemented a book request list now in computerized form. Once that book is found, the customer is contacted by telephone and the books is set aside for seven days for the customer's convenience.
Pricing is very reasonable. However, as Bob notes, "Pricing is secondary to the interesting inventory." Customers appreciate this and often comment pleasantly when they discover the price.
There is frequent turnover of stock. Contrary to the average turnover of once about every fourteen months, the Bookmark changes inventory about once every sixty days. This helps elicit customer interest and loyalty.
In addition, there are store-wide sales twice a year. At that time, all inventory is discounted at 40%. On the first day of the sales, customers are lined up outside the door waiting to come in at 10:30 AM. They often buy several boxes of books, records and video tapes. And, they may return daily throughout the four-day sales since the stock changes daily.
Bob comments that the volunteer staff makes the Bookmark different from most other bookstores. Their willingness to come for a minimum weekly three-hour shift contributes to the ambiance. Moreover, Bob skillfully uses the staff's particular interests and talents.
The Bookmark, first opened in 1992 to raise money for The Friends of the Oakland Public Library, has contributed significantly to annual library grants. FOPL has granted between $50,000 and $55,000 to the Library in each of the past four years.
Future plans include working closely with FOPL’s board to increase the visibility of the organization. Towards that goal, a Bookstore Committee has been was formed. It includes members of the Friends board as well as the volunteer staff at the store.
More media publicity and efforts to find additional volunteers are planned.
Clearly, in the past five years, Bob has made his own "mark" on the Bookmark Store. He intends to continue to do so.
--Karen Jing, Bookmark Bookstore Volunteer
The Bookmark, located at 721 Washington in Old Oakland is open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For general information and inquiries about making a donation or volunteering call (510) 444-0473.