My Biz: Back to books at NewBo bookstore

CEDAR RAPIDS — Bart Carithers took over as owner of Next Page Books — which opened four and a half years ago and then was called New Bo Books — last Dec. 1, at the height of the holiday shopping season.

'That was a hectic time to step into this role because it's our busiest month of the year,' he recalled. 'I was trapped behind the counter selling books as fast as I could.

'My taking ownership happened very quickly, but it was the best decision I've ever made.'

This year, Carithers said he and his one part-time employee are much better prepared for the holiday shopping season. But he admits he still is learning.

'I had never managed, let alone owned, a retail business in the past, so this was a steep learning curve,' he said. 'But there is nothing else I'd want to be doing. Even after a year, there's not a day that goes by that I don't learn something new. And I appreciate and value that.'

Carithers moved back to his hometown of Cedar Rapids in 2014 after 40 years living elsewhere. He spent most of his adult life working in higher education, typically in student affairs.

'It was a leap of faith to buy this store, but I knew if I didn't I'd wake up every day and regret it,' he said. 'Succeed or fail, I'm going to give this my best shot.'

Carithers also has something of a book-selling legacy — his mother was the book department manager at the Sanford Store in downtown Cedar Rapids, he said.

'I used to go in and help in the store during busy times. And growing up, on any given day I'd come home from school and there would be five to 20 advance copies of books delivered to our house,' he said.

'Our home was full of stacks and stacks of books. So I really always dreamed of doing this. I know it sounds corny, but I am living the dream.'

Carithers said within five months of owning the store, he has had customers from every state and some 40 countries.

'I just really enjoy meeting all the people that come into the store,' he said. 'I get to make a connection with our customers and they come back again and again, whether to buy a book or just to stop in and say hi because they are in the neighborhood. And this bookstore really is situated in the perfect neighborhood.'

Carithers noted that while the space is small and doesn't allow him to vastly expand his inventory — which he selects through industry research and customer observations and requests — he has been making efforts to widen the store's reach, especially via social media.

'Our customer base is expanding and it's exciting to see 20- and 30- and 40-year-olds coming into the store to purchase books,' he said. 'They know what they want to buy and they are excited about it.'

And if customers can't find what they are looking for on the shelves, Carithers said they will place special orders.

'We are pretty proud to be able to get books in their hands in two to five days,' he said, noting that they place orders twice a week.

'Our sales have been very good throughout the year,' he added. 'Customers come in and ask how we are doing. But from what I know and read, independent bookstores are making a comeback. It's encouraging to see people see the importance of shopping locally.'

AT A GLANCE

Owner: Bart Carithers

Company: Next Page Books

Address: 1105 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Phone: (319) 247-2665

Website: http://npbnewbo.com

Know of a company in business for more than a year that would make an ideal My Biz? Contact George C. Ford at george.ford@thegazette.com.