Village Business Profile: Newtonville Books

Newtonville Books 296 Walnut Street, Newtonville www.newtonvillebooks.com Mary Cotton, a Newtonville resident, owns and operates Newtonville Books, an independent bookstore established in 1998 and featuring books for adults and children.

What motivated you to get into business? The previous owner was going to close the bookstore in 2007, so my husband and I decided to take the plunge and save it from closing. It had always been my dream to own my own bookstore, and it’s been a dream come true.  I had worked in the store for several years and loved how passionate people were about the store — and I couldn’t imagine the store not being around anymore.

What is the biggest kick you get out of doing business in Newton? Being in such a great and supportive community of readers and thinkers.  I love it when customers come in and share their opinions on books with us –and ask for our opinions. And there’s something so satisfying about helping a customer find exactly the right book.

Who inspires you? Writers I meet through the bookstore, and our patrons.

Who is your business hero? I have an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in English Literature, so I don’t have too many business heroes, besides those Newton merchants I’ve been lucky enough to meet and interact with.

What is your biggest business challenge? Convincing readers to read more books!

What do you know for sure? That ebooks are not the death of paper books.

What do you do when your well is empty/you need to recharge your batteries? That’s a very easy question– I read a good book.

What one piece of advice would you offer a new/prospective Newton business owner? Remember that you’re servicing the community.  Be good to them and they will be good to you.

What do you want your customers to know about you? That the profit margins in bookselling are small and that I’m really running the bookstore with the hope of it being a valuable cultural institution, rather than a way to pay my bills. I grew up in an area where independent bookstores didn’t exist, and when I moved to Boston, I was completely enamored with the unique and vibrant neighborhood bookstores. I feel very lucky to live in an area where people think of bookstores as an integral part of their lives.

Your favorite stops in Newton? Bread & Chocolate, Union Street, Johnny’s Luncheonette, Baker’s Best, West Newton Cinema.