Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark & Donna Paz Kaufman of Story & Song Bookstore Bistro.
Hi Mark & Donna, thanks for sharing your story. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
For the past 30+ years, we have helped hundreds of new bookstores open their doors through our consulting business, The Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates. Though we have wanted to open a bookstore for quite some time, the right opportunity (one we could afford) had yet to surface. About six years ago, my wife and partner woke up one day and said, “If we can’t open our store, we’re going to have to move because I can’t live in a place without a great bookstore!” Within a week, the ideal space presented itself; we purchased the building, and renovations began in earnest.
When we first came to Amelia Island 20 years ago from Nashville, we launched a concert series called “An Evening of Story & Song,” featuring many of the singer/songwriters we had come to know in Nashville. After 15 years, our mailing list had grown to more than 1,000. So when we realized that the space we had purchased had an upstairs event area that could seat up to 125, we settled on a name that members of our community would recognize: Story & Song Bookstore Bistro. Doors were open to the public for the first time in February 2018.
When the COVID lockdown happened, many of our customers were worried that we wouldn’t survive and asked what they could do to help. We asked them to join “The Happy Place Club,” where a cash gift would get them some exclusive merchandise branded with our catchphrase, “Amelia Island is My Happy Place.” More than 200 customers donated $30K to sustain our business. In five short years, we have already won a small business of the year award from the Chamber of Commerce and been named one of the best bookstores in Florida by the Wall Street Journal and Southern Living magazine. When we updated our living trust, we decided to establish a nonprofit foundation, Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture, so that others can support our programming. Eventually, all will go to the foundation. Each day we celebrate the arts in all forms: literary, culinary, performing, visual, and creative.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The greatest obstacle, of course, was COVID, and to some extent, it still is. Though we successfully adapted by offering curbside and home delivery, many became used to “cocooning” at home. Some still need to be more willing to attend in-person events. More bumps in the road occurred when several of our initial hires resigned for one reason or another.
As you know, we’re big fans of Story & Song Bookstore Bistro. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
Having taught others how to succeed at bookselling for 30+ years, our store serves as “the retail training center for independent booksellers.” Most who come into the store have never experienced anything quite like it. From the moment you walk in, you’ll either react with a “Wow!” or feel a sense of calm. You can enjoy a delicious lunch from our Bistro with a cappuccino or glass of wine, surrounded by books and greeting cards, or outdoors in our “Secret Garden” courtyard that features “Wings” murals. A highly curated selection of more than 10,000 titles, the best greeting card selection for miles around, unique gifts made by local artisans, an art gallery upstairs, and entertaining or informative events all contribute to our success.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Whenever you invest thousands of dollars in opening a business, some degree of risk is involved. But the risk can be minimized by doing homework and learning as much as possible about the company before diving in. We have both taken risks by relocating to a new community, feeling optimistic about our ability to make friends and make a living.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://StoryandSongArts.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandsongbookstore/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/story-and-song-neighborhood-bookstore-bistro-fernandina-beach?osq=Story+%26+Song+Bookstore
