Christmas Update

Here is to the New Year of 2009. We are wrapping up our holiday sales today. The business has been better than I expected! We enjoyed a record setting sales day last week and a second highest day yesterday:) All is not dark nor is it lost. Phoenix Books will reach the sales goal for December which will be an increase of 15% over last year but do keep in mind that last year was year one:) I expect 2009 to be slow and do not anticipate any sales increases. If our sales stay level each month I will be grateful.

There are some modest changes in the winds. We are going to move our floor plan around by shifting the receiving station to the back near the door. This will open up our cash wrap allowing our booksellers easier access to the sales floor. Other adjustments include: sliding the children's department forward into the store to give it more prominence; placing lettering on the banner in the back, as in "Children's Books", and adjusting the product mix to reflect the price consciousness of our customers.

I would like to state my unequivocal commitment to remaining open. Renee and I are positive we can continue to offer a terrific alternative to chain stores, ersatz discounters, and thieving (think sales tax) Internet competitors. We know we can move ahead even in these stormy times(see my comments earlier about white water management!). I see the day when chain stores are failed models and the independent store becomes the safe haven for cutting edge literature, real paper books and alternative ideas. By the way, Borders is indeed in serious trouble.

I would also like to state my profound appreciation of the efforts of my "team of booksellers" at Phoenix Books. These last 14 months have been the start up period for the store. Everyone has learned new processes, new equipment, new hardware, new software and so on. Everyone works here because they want to work in this store. I thank each one for their varied and special contributions to making Phoenix Books the unique,local, and independent bookstore it is. I especially want to thank Colleen, Kristen, Deb and Jenn for their work. Each one contributed ideas and energy and effort that far exceeded the modest pay they received. They have moved on to bigger and better things in towns across America but we miss their presence in our store!

So, here is to looking forward and as Satchel Paige, the famous pitcher, said "don't look back...you don't know what might be gaining on you".

Happy New Year:)

Michael DeSanto &
Renee Reiner
Owners of Phoenix Books & Cafe