Chatham Rises To A Challenge, Part 2: Chatham Bookstore
In his series on Chatham businesses during COVID, John Campbell looks into the bookstore on Main Street.
This is the second part of a trio of stories focusing on small businesses on Chatham, New York’s Main Street. Contributor John Campbell wanted, he says, “to talk with these heroes — who are not only keeping the lights on, but giving the community an opportunity to see some normalcy in Chatham — and shine a light on their service to their community.” This week, he speaks with Nicole Furnee and Thomas Chulak, owners of Chatham Bookstore.
JC: You have some of the coolest, nicest people working at Chatham Bookstore. I have to say, I love Chatham Bookstore. Can you share what has motivated you to keep your doors opened through COVID-19 to service the community of Columbia County?
Owners: I think you’re starting with the most important thing, not only for the community but for the people coming into our store. You have to start with passion, so that really is the beginning. When we closed down on March 18th, we reopened four months later very carefully. We wanted to figure out a way to serve our people, and obviously any other people that might come into our store, both directly as well as through our online options. During the winter we did a lot of online services, and through COVID, we wanted to be safe, and consistent. Curbside pickup, as well as having four to five people coming into the store at any one time. We ask them to do the regular protocol: follow the arrows, sanitize their hands. We are only open from Wednesday to Saturday. This is the only way that we can manage our revenue, as you can imagine it has diminished. This helps us to stay strong, and keep moving forward as a business.
JC: How has COVID-19 affected your business?
Owners: Like all of us, we’ve had to adapt to the pandemic, and adaptation requires time to be very thoughtful. It has not been easy, neither the closing or opening up. We were very lucky to get a PPP loan, which has allowed us to keep our staff, but at a reduced level. Now the loan has run out, and it has meant that we’ve had to keep our staff at a reduced level. It has been challenging, but we are determined to keep the store opened. As a bookstore we are now in our 43rd year, and we are the third owners. I think one of the ways that we’re still able to do good business is we have a very large, very faithful customer network. Many people keep on coming, because they know having a small business is a challenge. Many people love to shop local, and they love the bookshop, and our customers are very loyal and we are grateful.
JC: Chatham Bookstore hosts monthly events, and I’ve actually found some interesting book titles that are on my list, which I found out about through your Nonfiction Book Group. Can you share, especially through racial injustice and COVID-19, how Chatham Bookstore has engaged the community, and the young community in conscious efforts?
Owners: The events portion of our business has been difficult during this time. We try to figure out ways to have gatherings without being in person, but use Zoom for interacting with a smaller population. Our book group continues to go on using Zoom. We’ve always understood that we don’t live in a vacuum, and particularly with the racial unrest, we have responded by first of all, making our front window focused on race. We want our inventory to recognize that this is a deep concern in our society. This is not the first time, but this really is a moment, and we make sure to support those who want to go deeper into the topic of race. In fact, our two most popular books right now are CASTE by Isabel Wilkerson, and How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi. which anyone can email us for a copy at this time. What I think is fascinating about this in particular, is that with all that’s going on about the politics in the United States, our customers are choosing to go deeper into race, and other books on politics are not selling at the same rate. Given what we are dealing with in society right now, the choices our customers are making are fascinating.
JC: If there was one thing you would want people to know about Chatham Bookstore, what would that be? And please share your website, social media, and location information.
Owners: I would say that in today's times where there are so many options for buying books, people supporting the small stores of Main Street has been fundamental. We ask that people keep supporting the small stores, because that is most needed during this time, and we are grateful for every person who comes through our doors. And you can write an email cbinfo@fairpoint.net or go to our website and we respond within 24 hours. We are always there for our customers.
