They never set out to open a shop. Cathy Graham and Serena Wyckoff originally turned their passion for reading into a hobby of selling used books (only) online with inventory stored in their garage. "Somewhere along the way after going from Internet sales to selling rare books at antique malls, the notion of opening a physical store appeared," Graham told us. "We never set out to have an actual store when we started out. But around 2010/2011 we decided to consolidate all of our bookselling experience, interests and energies into creating the shop on Elizabeth off Taylor Road."
Copperfish Books was born. Through combining their skills in online book marketing with a physical space having an old time book shop feel and regular author and book-related events like "Wine and Words," the venture was an almost immediate success.
The pair did always want to be downtown "But space is limited
downtown", Graham noted, "and we had to wait for just the right one to open up. We had
built up our business as well as we could a bit off the beaten track, and we needed foot traffic and
to be in the midst of downtown activity." So last week Copperfish Books quietly with a lot of help from friends moved onto Marion Avenue, Downtown in the building with the big historical mural -- the one with founder Issac Trabue.
The new store offers bibliophiles the same welcoming, comfortable atmosphere to browse a variety of used, new and antique books as well as greeting cards and gifts. And the downtown location will provide more space for the steady stream of author and other book related events offered as well as access during events like Gallery Walk. "We have more seating for events, we've added Mercer's coffee, and cafe chairs and tables. We plan to increase the number of new book selections. And we look forward to collaborating with other local retailers and business downtown to create additional excitement about what the downtown has to offer people." Graham said.
While the off-season in Florida towns like Punta Gorda are admittedly daunting for small businesses and the least favorite part of having ventured into a physical store, Graham says, "People and a sense of belonging, of purpose. That's a really rewarding part. To have so many good people in our lives, to feel connected, and to feel a sense of community in the place we live and work - it's terrific."
Both owners are grateful for the many customers and friends who turned out February 21-23 to help move Copperfish Books to its new location in downtown Punta Gorda (see map) and have thanked all for their support of the shop. They are hosting a grand opening this Saturday and invite all to come and celebrate the new location from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Looking forward to our next trip and the opportunity to see your new location!
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