Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Nelson.
Kris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started working at Ferndale Books in 1988 in Ferndale, California. A large stack of books was falling over one day and when I caught it I found 2 red, velvet-bound, 17th-century illuminated wills from Spain in the pile; I suddenly realized I would have plenty to learn in the bookshop, I dropped out of the junior college I was attending and studied books, bookbinding, language and reading (both books and people) ever since. Major career stops at Eureka Books in Eureka, CA., Orca Books in Olympia Wa., Safari Books on Adams Avenue in San Diego., and Technology of the Medieval Book workshops in Santa, ID. were made on the way to now.
I was fortunate with my timing moving back “home” to San Diego after wandering North for some years, and I purchased an already established bookshop. I have a fabulous staff to help me keep the shop open 7 days a week. We are a “brick-n-mortar” REAL BOOKSHOP where magical life-changing books are discovered, toddlers squeal in delight at the sight of a book they recognize, old friends strolling together find common loves in literature & history, true loves meet and dogs sit politely for a treat. Yes, there are random philosophical quotes uttered aloud and books recommended by friends and strangers alike.
We are community whether we know you or not, fellow reader and book lover: welcome to our tradition! Our street address has housed a bookstore since 1967; the 3rd owner & staff (for ~18 years now!) intend to carry on the full-service neighborhood bookshop customs as long as there is a demand. We stock mostly used books and order both new and used books -just inquire. We have regular deliveries for the classic reprints and new releases.
Hours of operation are:
11am-7pm Monday – Thursday
9am-9:30pm Friday & Saturday
9am-5pm Sundays
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Haha! Small business a smooth road – that’s funny! Well, when I started in the late 1980s, it was the mall vs. the older, urban shopping districts. Today booksellers, and now all of retail, are in direct competition with the Internet where Amazon (& others) can sell for less than anyone like those of us renting an on-street business with employees in a traditional way, which is rather more expensive.
First I/we computerized the inventory so we could sell via Amazon, ABE Books and our own website: I was absolutely determined to use Amazon as a step up and not to be stepped on. This took 3 years of continual typing and is a continual job maintaining ~20,000 ever-changing items.
Nowadays some folks have gotten so used paying less than what anything is worth that they have stopped shopping in person any more or just pick up whatever happens to be at Costco or Target when they are. (Insert crying emoji here!) Over the years we have developed a continually-evolving, conversational way to educate people to these cost differences and we just have to hold firm to our prices & let people decide if our book prices or our Specialty Book Searches provided are worthy to them or not. And hey, we are retail workers so we know what it’s like to have limited means & would never fault a client for pursuing the best deal – we provide full disclosure. The more honest we have been with the clients the better, stronger and more supportive our client base had become!
Lastly, for me, the other main struggle is the continuous learning the job requires like advocating best for the building itself, working the finances, managing staff, mastering social media & new computer programs, even keeping myself healthy enough to keep up with the physical labor! When I learn or accomplish something new, I don’t usually get a certificate or a bonus or a band at halftime or anything so sometimes it’s a bit lonely for me… so I have learned talk with appropriate colleagues so that I get recognition form people who have a sense of how hard I am working and feel proud of me. I found it means a lot to me. 🙂
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Bluestocking Books – what should we know?
I am proud of my shop for the following reasons:
Used books are a wonderful way to reuse resources & ideas – all good! It is history – a bookshop in this location for 50 years and has 3rd generation clients. Fostering a place where people can browse and talk (safely, freely) about their thoughts together is a function our space provides for hundreds of people a month.
My staff! I LOVE MY STAFF SO MUCH!! We are a friendly, helpful, book-loving & knowledgeable staff that treats everyone with respect. We look after the book-loving reader in each person who comes in. My clients! I also love my adorable clients who love books and reading, who love to recycle, who love to shop local & share about their favorite reads!! It’s a fun cross-section of society all coming in here and finding more to learn, more to read and enjoy.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Many characters play supporting roles in my life – especially my husband Tom Oliver who supports me both personally and financially during tough times. He, my sister & good friends have gifted me with outings & treats that have kept my spirit recharged.
Also especially supportive are my co-workers, putting up with some freakish moods of mine over the years. They have all encouraged me to keep trying and boosted my (often flailing) confidence. I would never have made it without their encouragement!!! Last but not least are my clients! Cold hard cash support during our “Go Fund Me” 3 years ago and kinds words on a daily basis kept me going during the darkest times. Thank You Thank You Thank You!
Contact Info:
- Address: 3817 Fifth Avenue San Diego CA, 92103
- Website: www.bluestockingbooks.com
- Phone: 619-296-1424
- Email: info@bluestockingbooks.com
- Instagram: blusoxsd
- Facebook: Bluestocking Books
- Twitter: blusoxsd
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bluestocking-books-san-diego-2
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
