I had assumed the banks would win on the debit cards fees issue. But they needed 60 votes and they got 54 votes. Still -- bastards.
Even all the combined retail lobbies (you know, including the largest corporation in the world, Walmart and all the big retailers and all the supposed voters represented by the sainted small business class that the Republicans and Democrats alike profess to care so much about) could barely overcome the resistance of the pirate banks.
We are still so doomed.
**********
I've had a few days to think about Wabi Sabi and Powell's -- and I'm still envious.
They are carrying many items I wish I could carry.
Ultimately, however, I chose to go the route of printed material. My art books alone would probably be equal in value to all the urban vinyl in Wabi Sabi.
Candy and gag toys? I just don't trust myself not to eat the profits -- but really, I just don't have the room.
The only other option would be to have a store more the size of the old Boomtown, and I shudder to think how much work and overhead that would be.
So...don't mess with what's working, I tell myself. (At the same time, there is something reassuring about the idea that there are still viable things to carry if what I'm currently carrying fall apart -- )
**********
I'd probably get tarred and feathered if I mentioned this on any of the comic book industry bulletin boards but....
There is another highly regarded comic shop in another state that is apparently in real trouble. This is the kind of shop that is always nominated for awards. They are held up as examples of how comic shops should be. And very often, they seem to go out of business.
But I have to wonder if there is a direct correlation between their struggling to survive and their ambition.
It's all well and good to have a great looking store, stocked to the gills, with all kinds of social events etc. etc.
But you still have to live within your means.
I often have the urge to try to create my perfect store -- but it would be very costly, and ultimately, I'm not sure I would get enough business to reward my efforts. No matter how nice the store.
I even have an example in my own career.
Our store for the first year in Sisters was a tiny little 100 square foot space, and it did really well.
We rented the space next door, opened up and painted and repaired both rooms, bought new fixtures, and filled the tripled space with merchandise.
And our sales dropped.
I wonder sometimes if people realize that the size and shape of a store is dictated by the size and shape of the customer base -- not on the ambition and tastes of the owner.
Even all the combined retail lobbies (you know, including the largest corporation in the world, Walmart and all the big retailers and all the supposed voters represented by the sainted small business class that the Republicans and Democrats alike profess to care so much about) could barely overcome the resistance of the pirate banks.
We are still so doomed.
**********
I've had a few days to think about Wabi Sabi and Powell's -- and I'm still envious.
They are carrying many items I wish I could carry.
Ultimately, however, I chose to go the route of printed material. My art books alone would probably be equal in value to all the urban vinyl in Wabi Sabi.
Candy and gag toys? I just don't trust myself not to eat the profits -- but really, I just don't have the room.
The only other option would be to have a store more the size of the old Boomtown, and I shudder to think how much work and overhead that would be.
So...don't mess with what's working, I tell myself. (At the same time, there is something reassuring about the idea that there are still viable things to carry if what I'm currently carrying fall apart -- )
**********
I'd probably get tarred and feathered if I mentioned this on any of the comic book industry bulletin boards but....
There is another highly regarded comic shop in another state that is apparently in real trouble. This is the kind of shop that is always nominated for awards. They are held up as examples of how comic shops should be. And very often, they seem to go out of business.
But I have to wonder if there is a direct correlation between their struggling to survive and their ambition.
It's all well and good to have a great looking store, stocked to the gills, with all kinds of social events etc. etc.
But you still have to live within your means.
I often have the urge to try to create my perfect store -- but it would be very costly, and ultimately, I'm not sure I would get enough business to reward my efforts. No matter how nice the store.
I even have an example in my own career.
Our store for the first year in Sisters was a tiny little 100 square foot space, and it did really well.
We rented the space next door, opened up and painted and repaired both rooms, bought new fixtures, and filled the tripled space with merchandise.
And our sales dropped.
I wonder sometimes if people realize that the size and shape of a store is dictated by the size and shape of the customer base -- not on the ambition and tastes of the owner.