Book-o-nomics

So how is the bookshop business, really? Pretty good, at least if you’re Greenlight Bookstore. An inside look at its ledgers.

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By Jillian Goodman
Published Aug 1, 2010

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(Photo: Courtesy of Greenlight Bookstore)

Start-Up Costs
Construction and fixtures: $134,838
Computer hardware and software: $22,957
Book inventory: $172,652
Rent and deposit: $15,750
Total: $346,197

Financing
Owners’ investment: $125,000
Community loans: $70,000 (from approximately 25 lenders)
Small-business loan: $150,000
Total: $345,000

Average Monthly Expenses
Labor: $14,537.22 (eight employees and two owners)
Rent: $5,250
Utilities: $676.67
Miscellaneous: $5,793.67 (office supplies, promotions, insurance, etc.)
Inventory: $50,490.81
Total: $76,748.37

Average Monthly Sales
Adult books: $69,458.88
Kids’ books: $13,374.55
Stationery: $4,978
Music/audio: $164.22
Periodicals: $420.55
Miscellaneous: $58.44
Total: $88,454.64