By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
For a guy who “always loved browsing bookstores” and turned the page 20 years ago, there is joy in the fact that business has been booming.
Next Page Bookstore & More observed its 20th anniversary a few weeks back and owner-operator Rick Sovine said it was a huge success.
“We had a large turnout of customers shopping as well as some just stopping in to say congratulations and thanks for being part of Decatur,” Sovine said. “It was a day filled with joy and pride for what we have accomplished over the last 20 years.”
As its name proclaims, the downtown store – well-known by a previous generation as Niblick’s department store – offers for sale new books, used books, rare books … and so much more.
The “more” includes lots of novelty/gift items, cards, decor, gourmet coffee/tea, children’s toys, games, puzzles, stuffed animals, and bookmarks.
Sovine says the store often hosts events, such as monthly book club meetings, author readings/signings, crafting events for kids as well as having pop-up vendors come in to sell their products.
Currently, the store includes a fully equipped restaurant space which the Sovines, Rick and wife Emily, are looking to lease. “We are hoping to attract an Italian restaurant to come in or another deli/bakery,” Rick said.
Next Page currently has a staff of five employees other than Rick and Emily: two store managers and an event coordinator along with two other book sellers.
Emily also operates a separate business, Beyond Words Pediatric Speech Therapy, in a small space within the bookstore.
The Sovines began the business by leasing a small space in the 13th St. plaza near the entrance to Hanna-Nuttman Park.
That was in August of 2005. “But we quickly ran out of space and purchased the Niblick building in the fall of 2008,” Rick recalled.
“The building was empty and in poor condition. After completely remodeling and restoring the building, we were open for business again in our new location in January of 2009.”
It’s a dream come true for Rick.
“I have always loved browsing bookstores,” he explained. “While I was in school for business administration, I wrote a business plan for operating a bookstore. After much thought, we went ahead and followed through with opening ours.”
It was a wise decision.
“Business has been fantastic,” he exclaimed. “Our foot traffic is great, even with limited downtown parking. We also have a lot of online sales. We continually ship our products across the country each and every day.”
A page well-turned!
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