On January 10, Bill and Wendy Cochran opened Walls of Books, a 2,000-square-foot, predominantly used bookstore, in Zanesville, Ohio. The community, Bill Cochran said, has not had a major bookstore since a nearby Waldenbooks went out of business. For years, the only options were to drive an hour or so to Columbus, Ohio, or order books online.
"That's been the thing I've heard the most, that we've definitely needed a bookstore," recalled Cochran. "People are looking to buy and sell books. It's been years."
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It's an unusual operation because it's a franchise branch of Gottwals Books, a used bookstore with four locations in Georgia that in 2012 set up a franchise business under the Walls of Books name. Besides the Cochrans' store, the other two Walls of Books franchises are in Tifton, Ga., and New Orleans, La.
Cochran has no prior experience in bookselling or retail--after 16 years as a real estate appraiser, he was eager to leave that profession--and came upon Gottwals Books unexpectedly: he ran an Internet search for "bookstore franchises." He and his wife, who is a teacher, share a love of books and reading, and it didn't take Cochran very long to decide to open a store.
After traveling to Georgia for training at Gottwals's main office, Cochran returned to Zanesville to look at locations. He eventually found one that used to be a fitness center, and after completing the necessary renovations, the bookstore "showed up in a 53-foot semi."
"It was a bookstore in a box," said Cochran of the 25,000-pound trailer that contained his initial stock of 20,000 books, along with bookshelves, counters and everything else he needed. Along with the inventory came a crew of Gottwals employees to help set everything up and train Cochran's staff, which includes a full-time manager and two part-time employees.
Zanesville residents have embraced the store enthusiastically, Cochran said. "Our reception by the public here has been overwhelming," he continued, adding that the store has exceeded sales expectations since opening. "It's been quite a surprise."
The store's stock remains mostly used books, but Cochran has begun to carry some new titles and will order new books if a customer asks for them. The store carries a wide selection of Melissa and Doug toys, but no other non-book items. Cochran has yet to host any events, but plans to feature events with local writers and a storytime series for children. And at some point in "late winter," he plans to hold the store's grand opening ceremony.
"It's been so busy, we haven't been able to focus on those things," said Cochran. But now that things are up and running, he'll have time for the "ribbon cutting with local dignitaries." --Alex Mutter