Picture this: your basement is overflowing with books, your living room is stacked with more books, and you think, “Hey, maybe I should open a bookstore!”

For most of us, that thought would vanish as quickly as it came. But not for Amy Hall.

“I don’t necessarily recommend that you go out and open a store with items you have a lot of at home,” Amy jokes about how Hudson Valley Books for Humanity got started.

 But this wasn’t just about clearing out clutter – Amy had bigger plans brewing. As a sustainability and human rights pro in the apparel industry, Amy saw an opportunity to create something that checked multiple boxes. 

“I was thinking about how to create a space that brings people together in a community that has a lot of diversity… and I started thinking: books, waste, community. How do we make all of this happen in one place?”

From House Takeover to Downtown Storefront

 Once Amy started sharing her bookstore idea with friends and family, something wild happened – people just started dropping books off at her house!

“After about three months, our entire basement and half of our first floor were just full of piles of boxes of books,” she recalls. 

Luckily, Amy spotted a vacant storefront in downtown Ossining that hadn’t been occupied for five years. Even better? She happened to know the landlord. 

The space wasn’t ready yet, but the landlord let her start storing books there. By Thanksgiving 2021, Hudson Valley Books for Humanity opened its doors with thousands of books – many still in boxes!

“When we opened, there hadn’t been time to sort through everything,” Amy admits. 

What Sells? The Quirky Truth About Used Books

It took about six months with volunteers and staff to finally get through all those donations. That’s when Amy realized they needed some boundaries on what they’d accept.

No, if you visit their website, you’ll find clear guidelines about what books they take and don’t take. And since they’re not a non-profit, they offer store credit for accepted donations – creating a win-win for the community.

Three and a half years of bookselling has taught Amy some surprising lessons about what people will buy. For instance, they’ve learned that customers won’t spend $8-10 on a used thriller hardcover, but they’ll happily drop $2 on a pocket-sized paperback version of the same book.

“Book-buying habits are weird, right?

How to Make a 2,000-Square-Foot Bookstore Profitable

When you’re trying to keep a 2,000-square-foot bookstore afloat by selling $2 paperbacks, you’ve got to get creative. Amy’s solution? Diversify like crazy.

While 85% of their inventory is pre-loved books, they also sell:

• New books (about 15% of inventory)
• Pre-loved vinyl records
• Local artisan products
• Gift items

And that’s just the merchandise. The store itself becomes a moneymaker by hosting all kinds of events:

• They’ve hosted weddings
• Birthday parties happen regularly
• An indie rock band even shot a music video there
• Private events of various types
• Regular programming like open mics, improv comedy, and children’s read-alouds

“All of those are revenue streams that help boost that bottom line,” Amy points out. Smart thinking!

Start with Community Buy-In

Before even opening her doors, Amy did something brilliant – she got the community involved.

She and some helpers interviewed shoppers at the local farmers’ market about their book-buying habits and interests. She also ran a crowdfunding campaign that revealed surprising support. 

“There were people who contributed that I didn’t even know, and I was kind of shocked and moved by that.”

The result? 

“I didn’t have to fight for airspace once I opened. People were waiting for me, they were ready, and the business was there on day one.”

The store has also developed a clear identity, specializing in books about social justice, planet-friendly living, diverse voices, and local interests. 

“Having that identity front and center really helps us stand apart from other bookstores in the area,” Amy notes.

What’s Next for This Unconventional Bookstore?

Hudson Valley Books for Humanity just launched a membership program with two tiers ($50 and $100 per year), offering discounts and free pre-loved books.

In a move that’s “way off the beaten path for a typical bookstore,” Amy just applied for a beer and wine license for their evening events. No permanent bar, just the ability to serve drinks legally during special gatherings.

Even more exciting, the historic building (originally an 1800s opera house) is undergoing renovation, with the upstairs being restored as a performing arts space. Plus, the store will serve as the gift shop for the upcoming Sing Sing Prison Museum next door.

Despite running all this while still maintaining her corporate job (yes, really!), Amy remains enthusiastic. 

“So far, it’s just always fun. I love it.”

Currently reading Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower and, fresh from finishing Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr, Amy embodies what makes indie bookstores special – genuine passion for books and community.

For anyone dreaming of opening their own bookstore, Amy recommends connecting with existing store owners (who are surprisingly generous with advice) and considering formal training through programs like Paz & Associates. But most importantly, know what you stand for and get your community on board from day one.

Hudson Valley Books for Humanity shows that in the age of Amazon, indie bookstores can thrive by being more than just places that sell books – they can be community hubs where books are just the beginning.