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Her lips twisted. “There’s a sign listing opening day. I have it marked in red on my calendar.”
“Should we do anything leading up to it to draw customers into your shop, to remind them why they love your store so much?”
She chewed her lip. “I was thinking of starting a trivia night. Kind of like an adult battle of the books.”
I’d participated in the battle of the books programs the local libraries put on in middle school. Jake used to tease me about it, but I loved it. “Oh, good idea. I’d love to participate.”
“We’ll see if anyone signs up.”
Excited about the suggestion, I said, “I’m sure they will.”
Her brow furrowed. “Is that enough, though?”
I thought about the board games she kept on one of the shelves against the back wall. “What about a game night? You could offer discounts on drinks.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
I ran through the set-up of the store in my head. There was a shelf where people could leave a book and grab one like the little libraries in the neighborhood. “Why don’t you sell books instead of lending them out?”
“I don’t know if that would be profitable. Plus, we already have a bookstore in town.”
I leaned a hip against the shelf. “That’s all it is. Maybe people would prefer to drink their coffee while they browse books.”
“Hmm.”
“Do you know if the new store sells anything besides coffee?”
Her forehead wrinkled in frustration. “No. It’s all very hush-hush.”
I’d researched writing and publishing independently online, including how to get books into local libraries and stores, and I remembered something I’d read in a review of the bookstore. “I’ve heard that the bookstore refuses to carry local authors, artists, and any local history books.”
Her mouth dropped open slightly. “Why?”
“I have no idea, but I think it would be cool if you did. It’s something different and unique.”
She tapped her chin with a finger. “I would think tourists would want local history books and even guidebooks with things to see in the area like biking trails.”
“Exactly.”
“Will you help me pick the books, and clear a space?”
“I think it should be near the line so that when customers are waiting, they can browse the selection.”
Brooke nodded thoughtfully. “I think it would be too confusing to do the lending library anymore.”
“I agree. You need to be clear about what you’re offering.”
Brooke stood up and hugged me. “Thank you. I felt down when I learned another coffee shop was opening.”
When she pulled back, I said, “You’re never down for long. You would have figured something out on your own.”
She clasped her hands together. “Brainstorming with you was genius.”
She returned to her seat, her eyes narrowed on me. “Why can’t you do this with your own business?”
I shrugged. “I just don’t get excited about it.”
Brooke’s excited expression slipped. “Did you sign up for that writing class?”
