by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The success or failure of a new business venture usually hinges primarily on a couple of factors. Having a viable business plan and being sufficiently capitalized would have to be toward the top of the list.
Ron Chamblin purchased his two-story building on the east side of Laura Street between Adams and Monroe streets in January, 2006. It was to be a Downtown location to complement Chamblin’s Bookmine on Roosevelt Boulevard, which over the years has become an icon to North Florida book lovers. Three months later, he began the interior demolition and renovation process. Along the way, Chamblin discovered what many developers who take on the restoration of a structure that has been unoccupied for years find – that the project is more involved than was first thought.
“Books are heavy, so one thing we had to do was install more joists underneath the second floor to hold the load,” he said.
The store opened last April, a full year after the date on Chamblin’s original timetable. Eight months later, the store is showing a consistent profit, he said.
“At first it was up and down,” he said. “We’d have a good day and then a not so good day. But in the last month the foot traffic has picked up and I think we’ve turned the corner on sales.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with Christmas. I think people have discovered the Downtown store and it’s becoming a destination.”
Chamblin said having the store near Ortega helped smooth out his cash flow while business built at the new venture. He has also been in the used book business for 32 years, which allowed him to develop a reputation and create a brand that people who love to read books and search through the stacks at used book stores recognize. Chamblin also thinks books are one of the few recession-proof businesses.
“Most people need and want books,” he said. “And we offer a broad spectrum of titles for all ages and interests.
“I think when people get money-conscious, they read books. Books are kind of like food for the mind. It’s a form of escape and you can spend $3 for a used book and read it for days.”
Chamblin also exhibits two other traits found among successful small business owners – dedication and confidence.
“I’ve been here every day since we started the demolition. I never doubted we would survive here but I do sleep better at night now,” he said. “Even though I was confident, you want to be able to see it. I might be able to take a day off in three or four months.”
Photos by Max Marbut
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