Lift Bridge Book Shop, Brockport, N.Y., "is making moves for a big transition in the coming months," the Stylus reported. The bookstore, which was founded 42 years ago by Archie and Pat Kutz, is being sold to former employees John Bonczyk and Cody Steffen, who approached the Lutzes about taking over the store last December after it was put on the market. They will officially become owners January 1.
"Basically, I started this store in 1972 and [it's] gotten to the point both my wife and I are looking to move on and do something different," Kutz said, adding that they "found some people who were interested but they really weren't. Then two young fellows who are former employees, John and Cody, have stepped forward."
Steffen, who worked at Lift Bridge for four years, had been away for a year. "I missed it here in Brockport and in the store itself," he said. "I think it will be rewarding, I'm enjoying it so far."
Bonczyk worked for two years at the bookshop while pursuing an accounting degree at the College at Brockport. "Before when I was here, I was just working here in the store and not really seeing behind the scenes of what actually needs to be done financially to keep the store afloat," he recalled. "After getting my degree and going through all the accounting classes and business classes, I had more of a comfortable understanding of what the numbers mean. At the end of the day, business decisions need to be made not of what I think's going to happen but what I know should be happening supported by the numbers."
Steffen noted that for the time being, "we're concentrating on just getting comfortable and getting confident and doing everything they've been doing for years and then branching out into new stuff.... We want people to know it's a fun place people can come to."