Comments on: Epilogue Books, ‘You will be missed’

By: Ballard Biz OWner

Ballard Biz OWner — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:58:36 +0000

I hear ignorant statements of blame for situations like this often. Ahhh the greedy property owner is to blame, the economy, or it is just natural selection. Perhaps these things are true at times, but as a business owner some of these people making these statements are part of the blame. The condo development has contributed to inflating assessed property values, the demand for government services and the unfriendly approach to businesses in this area has contributed to increasing the tax burden on those of us who are still "making a go at it."

I am fortunate to have positioned myself to be doing fine during this difficult economic time, but I had to make sacrifices and some of those have resulted in a couple less people working here. It sounds as Nathan had worked his tail off to make things work, and simply needed a better lease.

There should be no condo dweller complaining about the lack of small, locally owned shops when the larger chain stores move into Ballard. You cannot hasve things both ways!

By: Hendrix

Hendrix — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:44:53 +0000

@EB: Very true, it is not easy being a business owner and all the responsibility that entails.

I'll be in to stock up on as many books as possible while I can. You will be missed and Ballard will be worse off for the loss.

Thanks for everything!

And everyone should go buy books!

By: Epilogue Books

Epilogue Books — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:35:53 +0000

Thank you. As the owner of this bookstore it has been the hardest 4 days of my working life.

Having your business close because you can't find another building, even though you have managed somehow in a horrible economy to grow is heart breaking. I not only have concerns for my own family but also those of the people that work for me, as well as the neighborhood.

I did just really want to thank you BBO. It does sometimes feel as through just because you own a business people assume you make alot of money, when the truth is all it means is you can choose to work any 14-16 hours a day you want. So from one person to another thanks for the words of support.
Nathan

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:07:06 +0000

Call.

By: Ballard Biz OWner

Ballard Biz OWner — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:26:35 +0000

Sorry to see any business – especially a small local one close; but as one of the bicyclists informed me about the trail potentially moving out my business…..a new one will simply move in.

Many don't understand that us small biz owners aren working wage people ourselves, not some wealthy people just because we “own” a business. Keep your head up Nathan!

By: Fauxnothing

Fauxnothing — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:16:52 +0000

I say 10.5 months. See your $50, raise by another $75, proceeds to go to Sustainable Ballard.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:34:17 +0000

Noooooooooooooooo! I can't believe Epilogue is leaving.

By: ballardgirl

ballardgirl — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:59:23 +0000

I am very sad that epilogue is going…I have bought both used and new books there also! I even had them order a book for me when it was out….I need to go and use my store credit

By: Silver

Silver — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:17:31 +0000

On Monday I spent all of my remaining $65 of store credit at Epilogue and an additional $50 in cash. The place was packed! Lots of people using up their store credit (which expires at the end of July) and taking advantage of their %20 off sale.

What impressed me is that there are a LOT of really cool books left. I was expecting seriously depleted shelves! Not so – Nathan says they have thousands of volumes in storage, and will keep putting interesting books out.

Check it out!

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:08:30 +0000

Great, just a stumble down from the Golden City ;-(

By: wharf_rat

wharf_rat — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:02:52 +0000

Based on the listing at Ewing & Clark, it's about $4,500/month to lease teh place. I've never run my own business, but I'm thinking you would have to move a lot of product to make $$$.

I smell a bar coming….liquor sells, and it's profitable.

By: ProyectoGanas

ProyectoGanas — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:43:08 +0000

You mean support a mainstream corporate publisher? Or support chains such as Barnes&Noble (don't forget the Starbucks inside every store!)? As a writer and the daughter of a novelist – please, buy books as you like. Epilogue – thank you, and you will be missed,

By: gurple

gurple — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:42:45 +0000

Mrs. gurple and I got some good stuff at the liquidation sale on Sunday. They must be fairly picked over by now. I think of Epilogue as my bookstore, but truthfully I probably bought as many books there on Sunday as I typically do in 6 months.

By: silence_kit

silence_kit — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:35:50 +0000

Books are incredibly overpriced. $14.95 for a 300 page paperback is absurd. I buy used whenever possible.

By: AlonzoNeighbor

AlonzoNeighbor — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:03:04 +0000

They have new books there, too. I've purchased 2 or 3 since I discovered the store a year ago.

By: Ballardmom

Ballardmom — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:41:14 +0000

I remember when Nathan took over the store and how excited he was. I hope there are wonderful opportunities in store for him in the near future. As for supporting a writer buying a new book – I have two books on the market and I still support Epilogue. I'd rather people bought my books used from them than from sellers like Amazon who screw small publishers in order to make up for a poor business model at their start.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:36:13 +0000

'For lease' sign…up for 8 months? More? Less?
I'd like to hear the under/over on that one…
Best of luck Nathan, I'll be in this week.

By: Sammy1981

Sammy1981 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:34:31 +0000

Support a writer: buy a NEW book.