A love of literature has bound together two local independent booksellers.
Due partly to a rent increase, Marla Vandewater was forced to close Wallingford's Vandewater Books last summer after running the business for about 10 years.
"I always wanted to have a bookstore," Vandewater said.
Carol Santoro, owner of the new Santoro's Books in Greenwood and Second Story Books in Wallingford, recently hired Vandewater to work in the newly added used-books division of her Wallingford store. Some of Vandewater's former customers still approach her, now at Second Story Books.
"It's always fun to see people that I know," Vandewater said.
"[Vandewater's] been doing business in Wallingford for 10 years," Santoro explained. "She has a connection to the neighborhood."
It did not take long for Vandewater to consider re-entering the independent bookselling world when Santoro approached her about the job earlier this year.
"I have a lot less responsibility," she said about the new job. "[Santoro is] easy to work with and easy to work for."
Complementary relationship
The women originally met from visiting each other's business. They work hand in hand, Vandewater with her experience as a buyer of used books and Santoro with her knowledge of new ones.
"There are new titles being published all the time, and you have to keep up with the new releases," said Santoro.
She opened Second Story Books in 1985 and sold the store 10 years later, buying it back in 2002. Her recent decision to sell used books as well as new ones there has proven to be successful, Santoro noted. She only sells new books at her Greenwood store.
"Marla has a great eye for choosing great used books," Santoro said. "It's wonderful to work with her."
"Condition is really important [when reselling books]," Vandewater said.
The two women agree that, new or used, children's books and fiction sell the best.
Personal connections
Independent bookstores tend to have more of a personal connection with their customers and often offer more of a selection than the large chains, Vandewater noted, because they are more likely to take a risk on a book that is lesser known.
Vandewater generally reads one to three books every week, which helps her to recommend different authors and books to customers.
"I like books. They're fun to work with," she said.
Santoro's Books is located in Greenwood at 7216 Greenwood Ave. N. Second Story Books is located in Wallingford Center, at 1815 N. 45th.
Jessica Davis writes about arts and entertainment for the Herald-Outlook. She can be reached via e-mail at needitor @nwlink.com.
[[In-content Ad]]
